The Down and Dirty on Dumping

dumping in the medical terminology here has nothing whatsoever to do with the slang term for "taking a dump".... it is not a bathroom issue by definition. HOWEVER... one symptom OF dumping CAN be bathroom issues (vomiting or diarrhea). When you start out, I'd suggest having an extra pair of undies available at work or wherever so that if you are unfortunate enough to experience any "bathroom issues" you have backup.

For me dumping has NOTHING to do with bathroom issues.

When I dump, my heart starts racing, I feel really unwell (just off-kilter)... if i didn't have inactive sweat glands I'd probably sweat up a storm... palpitations, a little bit of nausea (but not vomiting). Overall sense of "world is ending and I'm miserable".

I also am lactose intolerant since surgery, and had explosive diarrhea and horrendous gas when consuming milk products ... AND I dumped on the milk in addition. But I"m super sensitive and dump on a lot of things.

Dumping can sneak up on you. part of my method of avoiding it, which may not work for everyone, is having a fairly unadventurous diet during my work days. I leave all my adventuring for the night when I'm home from work and if I feel lousy, I can lie down etc.

Maria,

That comes from trusting a fart!

That is Mantra #4. 
The others being -
1.  Sip, sip, sip.
2.  Walk, walk, walk.
3.  Any problems:  CALL YOUR DOCTOR!

Dumping is just so individual..  I have done fine with small amounts of sugar, I try to keep it under 7-8 grams, however I dump very quickly with processed cheese sauce.  Not sure why, but it's with in a few minutes of injesting it.  I actually tend to get dizzy & lightheaded, then the abdominal cramps followed by diarrhea, then extreme fatigue that lasts about 20-30 mintues.  I try very hard to stay away from food that will make me dump.  I have also dumped on BBQ chicken breast, (I think the bbq sauce was probably higher in sugar than I had thougth)

Good luck to you in your journey

Caroline

It's different for everyone and you'll know when it happens.  It's not incapcitating for everyone.
For me dumping is just that I feel real "icky".  I get all sweaty and sometimes nauseous and my stomach hurts and all I want to do is curl up in bed and be miserable.  I have yet to throw up since the surgery.  I've been lucky so far.  In the beginning milk especially would make me ill.  Now it  varies and changes.  I'm able to eat sugars within limits, Unfortunately I still keep testing my limits.  The other day, someone brought in munchkins from DD, I ate one and felt ok, thought a little bit later I'll try another one, still ok and then I went for the third and a little later I'm kicking myself because I feel like crap!  I should n't have had more than the one since my craving was gone,  but the box was there.
 

You may or may not be a dumper, and just because one day, or one meal you did not dumped - it does not mean that it is "safe" to eat. 

I dump if I eat that one extra bite of food, but that dumping is different that sugar or fat dumping... 

Once I dumped on SF, unflavored  contrast for cat scan? WTH? never heard of anyone dumping on that..but I did...

Conclusion: you may dump you may not, but there is no "safe"  "not-safe foods"  Some foods or combination of may make you dump all the time, others - it may depend what you ate, when did you eat it, how much, how fast, how you felt (emotionally), etc, etc, etc...

Did I help you? Probably not.   

Good rule of thumb for me is to try to avoid foods high in sugar or fat (more than 7-10 gr but everyone is different),
Also - it is not the mere sugar or fat for me but the concentration of it in the "serving". Having a small portion of ice cream that has 10 gr of sugar and 10 gr of fat - no matter how small portion it is - if I try that on empty pouch - I will get sick, but having a spoonful of that after dinner (protein mostly) - and I probably will be fine....

Good luck.  If you are dumper- you may know that sooner or later, if you are not - or you do not think you are - just be aware it may hit you when you least expect.  

FYI: I started dumping 4 months post op...not before that - but then I did not "venture" into forbidden area until then, so... who knows. 

I just went for my 3 week check up yesterday so this was a big topic for us.  It was explained to us that Dumping is not the same as throwing up!!  Dietician says... throwing up basically uses your whole body... dumping is easier (maybe necessary) but not as traumatic as throwing up.   I'm only saying what she said.   I haven't dumped so can't say she knows what she's talking about.. but that is how it was explained to me!!!

Dump in My Trunk: Thank you to everyone for providing input on dumping  I appreciate everyone's input. Rule of Thumb for Me: Carry Undies with me, just incase.... And stick to the doctor's orders..  I'm so glad we have a support group! Good night. Maria

THANK YOU guys soooo much for your GREAT ANSWERS.  I understand dumping so much more now.  Now hopefully I can avoid it...also I appreciate the comments about dumping not being so horribly earthshadering or life ending.  I'm such a big baby and I'm afraid of EVERYTHING, so the pep talks are much appreciated.

Sorry for the long response time, but since we moved last month to the boonies we have have to get satellite Internet....and on the occasions that it does actually work it's WAY slower than dial up (Don't believe those stupid HugesNet commercials.....LIES!)

Again, I so appreciated the explanation about sugars and having protein first to slow down the digestion process.  I understand much more of exactly what dumping is!  :O)

Thanks and have a great weekend!!!