Understanding and Avoiding Dumping Syndrome after Weight Loss Surgery

Dumping syndrome is a condition that may happen to you if you've had gastric bypass surgery. It's extremely unpleasant, but you can avoid it if you stick to the recommended post-surgery diet.

Dumping syndrome usually causes the following symptoms:

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Lightheadedness

• Cold sweats

• Abdominal cramping

• Weakness

• Fast heartbeat

Dumping syndrome occurs after you have eaten foods that are high in sugar, fat, or sometimes dairy, or consumed high-calorie liquids. When you're avoiding foods that are high in sugar, watch out for the terms sugar free and no added sugar. There's a big difference! Sugar free means it has no sugar at all. No added sugar doesn't necessarily mean no sugar. Some foods, like fruit, have natural sugar. Natural sugars don't tend to be as problematic as added sugar, but you still need to dilute fruit juice 50/50 with water, particularly if you're a bypass patient (though it's a good idea for everyone, just in terms of calories avoided).

Read ingredient labels and avoid foods with the following undercover sources of sugar:

• Honey

• Dextrin/dextrose

• High-fructose corn syrup

• Fructose

• Glucose

• Sucrose

• Galactose

• Fruit juice concentrate

• Cane syrup

• Lactose

• Maltose

• Turbinado

• Brown sugar

• Molasses