Intermittent Fasting After Gastric Sleeve: Is it Safe?
Intermittent fasting has become a popular weight-loss method in recent years. But if you’ve had gastric sleeve surgery, is it safe for you to do? The answer is yes, but with some caveats.
What is Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that cycles between periods of eating and fasting. It doesn’t specify which foods you should eat, but rather when you should eat them. Popular methods include the 16/8 method, where you fast for 16 hours and eat within an 8-hour window, and the 5:2 diet, where you eat normally five days a week and fast two days a week.
First Things First: Understand the Risks
First, it must be understood that not all doctors will agree on the benefits of intermittent fasting for bariatric patients. Intermittent fasting is generally not recommended by healthcare professionals because it can put you at risk for nutritional deficiencies after weight loss surgery.
Wait Before Trying Intermittent Fasting
If you’re in any of the healing stages post-VSG, do NOT try intermittent fasting. Foods are so restricted during this time that you’ll need all of the nutrients you can get for a healthy recovery. The answer is yes, but not right away.
Weight Loss Surgery Changes the Rules
Weight loss surgery changes the size of your stomach and, in some cases, the function of your digestive system. This means that your body processes food differently than it did before your surgery. That’s why it’s important to follow the dietary advice of your bariatric surgeon, even if you’re tempted to try something like intermittent fasting.
Intermittent Fasting is Not Recommended Right After Surgery
Intermittent fasting is not recommended as part of your initial post-bariatric surgery diet. It is important that you follow the dietary advice of your doctor and nutritionist to ensure you are getting the nutrients you need for a successful recovery.
Be Wary of Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting can help reduce overall calorie consumption, but it can also make you feel pushed to eat larger portions at each meal, which can be counterproductive for long-term weight loss. Additionally, it’s important to take into account any existing nutrient deficiencies when considering intermittent fasting. Fasting limits the amount of food you can eat even more than you already have with the sleeve.
When is Intermittent Fasting Recommended?
Immediately after weight loss surgery: We do not recommend intermittent fasting for bariatric patients immediately after weight loss surgery. After you have healed and your stomach has adapted to the new size and function, you may be able to incorporate intermittent fasting into your diet.
Look Out for These Signs
- You are not meeting your nutrient needs.
- You are not losing weight.
- You are feeling overly hungry or overly full.
- You have any existing nutrient deficiencies.
Intermittent Fasting Could be Right for You
If you’ve had gastric sleeve surgery, intermittent fasting could be right for you. But it’s important to speak to your doctor and nutritionist first to make sure it’s the right choice for you. They can help you create a plan that will ensure you are getting the nutrition you need while still achieving your weight-loss goals.
Intermittent Fasting is a hot topic right now in the dieting world, but it’s important to remember that it isn’t for everyone. If you’ve had gastric sleeve surgery, it’s important to understand the risks and consult your healthcare team before adding intermittent fasting to your diet. With the right guidance, intermittent fasting can be a safe and effective way to reach your weight-loss goals.
Is it safe for me to go on a fast after having a sleeve gastrectomy?
Patients who have undergone bariatric surgery should not go without eating for the first year and a half in order to prevent malnutrition and other medical issues.
Is it possible for individuals with gastric issues to do intermittent fasting?
This can result in an upset stomach even for people without gastritis if their habits of eating are not adjusted. Modifying your diet and eating habits can help to prevent this problem.
Does having gastric sleeve surgery cause you to enter ketosis?
Ketogenic Diet can be a useful choice for individuals who have undergone Gastric Sleeve or Gastric Bypass Surgery at least a month ago. This is because the Keto diet promotes weight loss, which is beneficial for these patients, as well as helping to avoid high sugar and fat intake, which can lead to dumping syndrome.
What are the consequences of consuming food too quickly following a gastric sleeve surgery?
Abdominal pain, dizziness, sweating, and diarrhea may also occur if too much food enters the small intestine rapidly.
Intermittent fasting can be beneficial for weight-loss goals, but it’s important to understand the risks and consult with a healthcare professional before starting it after having gastric sleeve surgery. As a leading provider of resources for those seeking to learn more about the benefits and risks of fasting, Fasting Books offers a wide range of ebooks and resources on this topic. To learn more about their products, click here.
