Questions about dumping syndrome. I need to know more!

I got a lapband back in 2007...long story short, I am working on getting a revision to the RNY in about a month. I am very curious to know more about the "dumping syndrome". For example, does it happen only if you eat a large bowl of ice cream or big piece of cake, etc. or could it happen from eating one hard candy? How bad is it? If you were in public and this happened, would you be drawing attention to yourself? How long does it last? Does everyone dump? Does this last forever? I mean 8 years later, would someone still have the tendency to dump? Also I have heard that it came happen on other foods, not just sugary foods. I am so worried about my revision with regards to what are some of the untold experiences to living with the RNY. I just dont want to go into another surgery and experience unexpected difficulties like I have had with the lap band. Thanks

I am 6 weeks post op and have not had any dumping syndrom. Iuse to get it before surgery but nothing now.  The first week was the hardest fire me but really enjoying things now.  Still on soft foods but all is great so far m Good luck!

I wouldn't worry about it, would not change my mind to get the surgery or not. I would do it. 

You had dumping syndrome before RNY?  Why?  That's really unusual.

I would expect most people haven't dumped at just six weeks post op, though - you shouldn't be eating anything with that much sugar yet.

Yes,  what everyone explains as dumping then YES I had it before surgery.  Unless it was something else but same symptoms.  

Did you say before your surgery you had the dumping syndrome? 

Only about 30% of RNY folks dump.  It can last forever.  It's a reaction to sugar and how much sugar can vary from person to person.  Most people that dump can handle about 10 or 12 grams of sugar.  So that would mean you would not likely dump on one hard candy but may dump on a small bowl or ice cream or small piece of cake.

I've experienced dumping only once.  It's awful.  I had a rapid heart rate, sweats, cramps, diarrhea and nausea. I dumped on watermelon...I had eaten it successfully the night prior and the next evening I ate a little more.  Not fun at all.  Lol I'm a newbie, wish I had more advice for you but everyone is different.  I know I can and will dump so I'm very careful now.

Only about 30% of RNYers dump, so the odds are that you won't... But if you assume that you WILL dump, you can utilize that fear to help you stay away from the sweets while you are establishing your new, healthy eating habits.  

For some people, a very small amount of sugar will make them dump; for others, it takes much more sugar than that.  I have a friend who dumps on a very small amount of sugar (she can even dump after eating something like barbecue sauce with too much sugar). I, on the other hand, can eat 1/4 - 1/3 of a cup of "real" (full after full sugar**** cream with no problem (but if I exceed tha****ch out!). 

Some people who dump will always dump; for others their body adjusts and the dumping becomes less likely (or it requires more up sugar to make it happen) as time passes. A few people find that dumping gets worse.  I was sensitive to sugar the first 6 months or so, but by a year out was much less sensitive and for the last few years (I am 7 years out) it takes a lot to make me dump.

For "early dumping" it usually happens within about 15-30 minutes of eating too much sugar.  It causes increased  heart rate, lightheadedness/dizziness, flushing or hot flashes, nausea, fatigue, and sometimes intestinal cramping and diarrhea.  It generally makes you need to lie down and want to curl up into a ball and die, LOL. It does not cause pain, though, and rarely causes vomiting (the dumping happens when the offending food gets into the lower portion of the intestine, so the food is usually out of the pouch by then).  You will feel quite ill (although a smaller amount of sugar might only cause some heart racing, flushing, and nausea rather than a full blown dumping episode) so you do not want to be in public when it happens.  That is why people are cautioned to be very careful eating outside the home during the first few months until they know how their body reacts (and to be cautious about hidden sugars in sauces, etc. when eating in restaurants).

Dumping is caused only by sugar/carbs.  Too much fat can also make people feel bad, but actual dumping is a specific physiological reaction to unprocessed sugar in the lower intestine (your body is used to the bypassed part of the intestine doing some initial digestion of the sugar/carbs). Protein does NOT cause dumping.  Ever.

There is also "late dumping"/reactive hypoglycemia which can happen to people even if they don't experience "early dumping".  RH can be controlled by paying attention to the carb/protein/fat ratio of each meal.

Lora

That was such a great explaination! Thank you so much for taking the time to explain that in such great detail. I really appreciate any information I can gather at this point. Dumping sounds god awful and really scary! I do love sweets so this is going to be really hard for me...but probably exactly what I need! My affection for sweets is definitely NOT something that agrees with my diabetes either. :(

How long does that sick feel last for?

Like ****rogirl said, fear of dumping can be a GREAT addition to your toolbox!  Use this! Let it be your friend!

I don't know if I fully dump, I am acting on the expectation that I do!  However, based on the explainations, I have had the sensations of the "early dumping" she describes.. I've gotten what seems like a hot flash and felt like my heart was racing and really needed to lie down - however, mine doesn't seem to only be triggered by sugar, so it isn't technically dumping, but it works as well as for me!  Mine seems to mostly be when I eat a couple of bites too much. (But a bite too many of apples dipped in a sweet sauce did it for me too!)