Abstract
Purpose. To determine the extent to which patients felt they were informed preoperatively about the dumping syndrome following gastric bypass surgery. To compare effects of the dumping syndrome patients anticipated following gastric bypass surgery with effects they actually experienced. To identify what strategies were suggested to patients (preoperative) for when they experienced the dumping syndrome and to determine the effectiveness of those strategies (postoperative), and finally, to identify improvements (if any) that patients would like to see in their preparation for the dumping syndrome. Methodology. This descriptive study used quantitative and qualitative research methods. A survey was used to collect information from 550 former Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients who were members of ObesityHelp.com. Participants had undergone either open or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Findings. Findings from this study suggest that program providers at surgical weight loss centers may encounter patients who report experiencing side effects not commonly covered in their educational venue and therefore may wish to explore offering more details about the dumping syndrome. Conclusions. Patients in surgical weight loss programs across the U.S. felt more emphasis should be placed on the areas of sleepiness, fatigue, and heart-attack like symptoms brought on by the dumping syndrome. Because patients are likely to "test the limits," having instructions readily available to them on what to do if they experience dumping may be of importance. Patients felt that because dumping syndrome is likely to be different for every person, covering all areas to help better prepare them for anything would be helpful. Finally, patients wanted more information on just what is happening to the body during a dumping episode. Recommendations. The following may be important to future research endeavors: (1) A comparative study that researches whether covering more details actually leave patients with fewer complications associated with dumping; (2) interviews which investigate how well patients felt their follow-up was concerning their dumping experience and whether or not this impacted their management of dumping; and (3) a longitudinal study that explores whether dumping is occurring two years, three years, or longer following surgery and what effect this is having on quality of life.