What is Dumping Syndrome?

Some people who have weight-loss surgery may experience something called dumping syndrome.

Dumping syndrome describes a group of symptoms that occur when undigested food moves too quickly into the small bowel (small intestine). This can occur after weight-loss surgery, more specifically, gastric bypass surgery, or any surgery in which part of the stomach is removed. Dumping syndrome may also occur after consuming a meal high in sugar.

Dumping Syndrome Symptoms

Dumping syndrome may include symptoms such as abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, heart palpitations and dizziness.

The symptoms may occur immediately after eating or a few hours after eating.

How to Avoid Dumping Syndrome

If you believe you are experiencing dumping syndrome you should speak with your health care team to discuss treatment options.

The following treatments and lifestyle changes may help you manage your symptoms:

• Eat smaller meals.
• Avoid drinking fluids with meals.
• Lie down after eating.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Chew food thoroughly.
• Avoid high-sugar foods: aim for less than 15g sugar per serving.

Get more information about weight-loss surgery at Penn

Learn if bariatric surgery is right for you by attending a free weight-loss information session about the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program.

Learn more about weight-loss surgery at Penn at this free session, and meet physicians and team members from the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program.

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Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating After Weight Loss Surgery

Karen Buzby, RD, LDN, member of the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery team, provides tips for managing your post-surgical diet during the holidays.

There is no getting around it. Food is a central part of the holiday season. Whether you’re enjoying holiday food with friends and family or inundated with unhealthy treats at the office, it is hard to maintain your healthy eating goals over the holiday season, but it is possible.

These tips can help you stay on track with your post-surgical diet and lifestyle changes while still allowing you to enjoy the holiday festivities.

Don’t skip meals
Always make time for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Going long stretches without eating can lead to eating too much or too quickly and cause nausea or vomiting in people who have had weight loss surgery. It can also result in unhealthy food choices due to overwhelming hunger.

Be selective about food choice
Resist the temptation to try foods that are high in sugar and fat. After gastric bypass surgery, fatty and sugary foods can cause “dumping syndrome,” resulting in severe abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Instead, choose low-calorie party foods such as raw vegetables, fruit with yogurt dip or boiled shrimp with lemon or cocktail sauce.

Stay well hydrated
Stay hydrated by drinking water and low-calorie beverages. Avoid alcoholic beverages and try to separate eating and drinking by 30 minutes.

Keep a food diary
Research* shows that recording what you eat helps you stay on track during the holidays. It also helps you meet your protein and fluid goals. Take a minute each night to record your food and fluid intake for the day.

Click here for more healthy eating tips for you and your family.

- Karen Buzby, RD, LDN


*Cornett R, Akers J, Salva J, Zoellner J, Davy B. Daily self-monitoring during the winter holiday period: a feasible strategy for holiday weight maintenance. SCAN’s PULSE. Fall 2011, Vol 5, No 4: 1 – 6.

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