Fasting After Weight Loss Surgery: What Israeli Doctors Think

Imagine you've had surgery to help with weight loss. It's a big change, and now you're wondering if it's safe to fast for religious reasons. A group of doctors in Israel wanted to find out what other doctors thought about this. They sent a survey to members of the Israeli Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ISMBS). The survey had 23 questions about religious fasting after weight loss surgery. It asked about the doctors' experience, what they thought about the safety of fasting, and if they'd seen any problems with patients who fasted. Over half of the doctors responded.

Most of these doctors have been doing weight loss surgery for over 10 years and do more than 100 surgeries a year. They tend to think it's okay for patients to fast, especially if it's been at least a year since their surgery. But they also think it's important to check how the patient is doing before they fast. About 40% of the doctors said they see more patients in the emergency room during religious fasting periods. They think this is mostly because of dehydration. When asked about the risks, many mentioned low blood sugar and ulcers. So, while there are differences in what the doctors think, they also agree on some things. This survey can help other doctors make decisions about religious fasting after weight loss surgery in the future.

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