Gastric dumping syndrome natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Umar Ahmad, M.D.[2]

If left untreated, dumping syndrome causes problems with digestion and absorption. This may in turn lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

• Over time, the symptoms of dumping syndrome tend to resolve.
• The severe symptoms of dumping syndrome usually develop 3-24 months after surgery, and start with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, colicky abdominal pain, abdominal fullness and diarrhea.^[1]
• The symptoms of dumping syndrome usually continue in up to 1% to 2% of individuals within the first year after surgery.
• If left untreated, patients with dumping syndrome may progress to develop early satiety, weight loss, malnutrition, hypoglycemia and nesidioblastosis.^[2]

Possible complications of dumping syndrome include:

• Indigestion of food, which results in reduced vitamin, mineral and nutrient absorption into the body.
• Very low blood glucose that can cause mental confusion or incoherence after a meal.
• Weight loss (out of fear of eating meals).

• Prognosis of dumping syndrome is generally good, but it may interfere with the quality of life.

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