Ask Dr Miriam

QI’ve had gastric bypass surgery but I feel full even after eating a small amount and I get a cramping pain in my abdomen. My doctor says I have dumping syndrome. What is it? Dumping syndrome is a condition that can develop after bypass surgery or surgery to remove all or part of your stomach to help you lose weight. Dumping syndrome occurs when food, especially sugar, moves from your stomach into your small bowel too quickly.

You’ve described a couple of its symptoms, but nausea,

Avomiting, diarrhoea, sweating, flushes, light-headedness and a rapid heartbeat are also characteristic.

You could try not drinking liquid until at least 30 minutes after a meal, dividing your daily calories into six small meals, lying down for 30 minutes after a meal and eating complex carbohydrates, such as wholegrains, which slow down sugar absorption from your food.

You should also limit sugary foods, such as fizzy drinks, chocolate, cakes and biscuits. Try eating more fibre and protein including chicken, fish, peanut butter and tofu.