Khaberni - A scientific review has revealed that fasting in Ramadan can be safe for bariatric surgery patients and weight management, with proper medical supervision and close monitoring.
Researchers from the university during the review, the results of which were published in the "Journal of Surgical Research", and which Al Ain News obtained a copy of, analyzed seven studies conducted between 2015 and 2024, which included clinical trials and field follow-ups, and focused on the outcomes of fasting after gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, including: weight, gastrointestinal symptoms, hydration status, and psychological aspects.
The results showed that, overall, there was modest weight loss among fasting patients after bariatric surgery, ranging between 2 kg and 7% of total body weight during Ramadan, and positive psychological effects including improved social interaction and reduced feelings of hunger and food cravings. However, there were warnings, especially for those with common gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, particularly for those who fasted in the early period after the operation, as dehydration was observed in 18% of these cases, with 2.9% needing intravenous fluids.
Based on these results, the researchers concluded that fasting is safer after the early recovery stage, with the necessity of providing individual medical consultations, nutritional support, and careful monitoring of symptoms.
The researchers stated: "Medical preparation before fasting and considering the health condition of each patient are the keys to ensuring the safety of fasting and achieving health benefits without complications."
The study also called for more research to understand the long-term outcomes and to develop accurate clinical guidelines for bariatric surgery patients during Ramadan.
