- Hydration. Drinking plenty of water is the second sacred rule of weight loss surgery. This is of great importance during the hot summer months, when bodies release more fluid through perspiration and become susceptible to dehydration. On warm days filled with outdoor activity, consider drinking water throughout the day. As a guideline, drink one ounce of water for every two pounds of body weight to ensure adequate hydration. Vitamin-fortified water or fortified calorie-free sports drinks to balance electrolytes can also be enjoyed to prevent hydration. Symptoms of dehydration often feel like mild dumping syndrome, and some weight loss surgery patients report a higher chance of dumping when they are not well hydrated.
- ProteinFirst. It’s particularly important to follow the first rule of weight loss surgery, “Protein First,” when partaking of a variety of party foods including barbecue, salads and picnic side dishes, and hearty desserts. Eating protein first will buffer foods that can potentially cause a dumping episode. Beware of barbecue sauces that can be high in sugar or protein breaded and fried, which are also known to cause dumping. If fried chicken is the only protein on offer, remove and discard the skin and breading and enjoy the meat without it. Remember to eat two bites of protein for every bite of complex carbohydrates. When taking small bites of protein, three forks will measure approximately one ounce of protein. The feeling of tightness in the gastric surgical bag is a sign of fullness and the signal to stop eating. Avoid discomfort by following this signal and stop eating.
- try wisely. Celebrations are often a showcase for friends and relatives to share their best dishes, including high-calorie and high-fat desserts. Who hasn’t been tempted by the outrageous dessert display at the annual family reunion? For the weight loss surgery patient, uncontrolled enjoyment of such foods is likely to cause dumping syndrome in the short term and, in the worst case, weight gain in the long term. Patients can find a safe haven by simply trying a choice dessert or two without imminent fear of giving up if they have stayed hydrated throughout the day and eaten a reasonable amount of lean protein before the sweet indulgence. A bite or two of a sweet dessert should satisfy the palate and the nagging requests of a dear relative who urges, “Come on, a little bit of my super duper deluxe chocolate won’t hurt.”
- Bring Good Food. When the occasion allows, take the opportunity to provide a weight-loss surgery-friendly side dish or dessert that you can safely enjoy and that others can enjoy as well. It’s a great time to show that healthy can be delicious and attractive. Present salads or side dishes with fresh seasonal ingredients and homemade dressings made with pure ingredients low in fat and sugar. Prepare sugar-free desserts or snacks by following recipes that use popular sugar substitutes that, when enjoyed in moderation, do not cause dumping syndrome. Sugar-free puddings and jello dishes also work well at any summer celebration. When a weight loss surgery patient provides safe food for a shared meal, the temptation to eat foods that are likely to cause dumping syndrome and ruin a fabulous summer celebration is lessened.
Weight Loss Surgery Patients: Don’t Let Dumping Syndrome Ruin Your Summer Celebration
Website design By BotEap.comSummer is a time to celebrate warm weather, sunshine, good friends, and good times, often with food and drink. But for people with weight-loss surgery, the celebrations bring the potential for a dietary crisis called dumping syndrome that has the potential to ruin a day of good old-fashioned summer fun.
Website design By BotEap.comGastric dumping syndrome, or rapid gastric emptying, is a condition in which partially digested food bypasses the stomach too quickly and enters the small intestine. This causes the pancreas to release excessive amounts of insulin into the bloodstream and symptoms of hypoglycemia occur. Dumping syndrome is most commonly associated with gastric malabsorption surgery, specifically gastric bypass surgery. Patients will experience the symptoms of dumping syndrome immediately after eating or within three hours of eating. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, bloating, cramps, diarrhea, profuse sweating followed by chills, dizziness, and fatigue. When insulin levels return to normal, the symptoms go away. Many patients who experience dumping syndrome find comfort lying down or drinking fortified water or energy drinks served warm.
Website design By BotEap.comClearly, an episode of dumping syndrome will disrupt any celebration, and most weight-loss surgery patients will benefit from taking precautions to prevent this from happening. Here are four basic diet and lifestyle guidelines to follow that will help prevent a dumping episode from ruining your summer celebration: