"Dumping Syndrome" after Surgery
Question
Can you help me better manage "dumping syndrome?" I have had such a hard time with eating after my stomach cancer surgery. Do certain foods make it worse? Is this going to be a permanent problem?
Answer
Katrina Claghorn, Registered Dietician at Penn Medicine responds:
Dumping Syndrome is usually a temporary problem experienced after gastric surgery. The foods best tolerated are:
- high protein foods and complex carbohydrates
- avoid simple carbohydrates such as soda, desserts, candy
- monitor your tolerance for milk and dairy foods - milk intolerance is common but usually disappears after a couple of weeks
- eat small frequent meals - try to eat about 300 calories every 3 hours
- and separate fluids and foods - try to alternate drinking foods in between meals
I would also suggest you meet with a Registered Dietitian to help you develop a meal plan that addresses your GI problems while meeting your nutritional needs.
This question and answer was part of the OncoLink Brown Bag Chat Series. View the entire transcript from the Focus on GI Cancers webchat.
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