Fasting

Before my surgery I used to fast 3 or 4 times per year about once a quarter for about 3 days just to sort of do a reset on my body. It was hard when I was 380lbs but I think with VSG it would obviously be much easier. I did not do it for weight loss but just to give my body a break from everything and to detox a little. I usually felt pretty good after I broke the fast.

I am wondering what the Vets feel about this? Will this be harmful? What are your thoughts? This is not an experiment this is something I have always done and it is about time for me to do one, just want to get some feedback if any of you fast periodically and what are the effects.

I wouldn't do it.  You have lost a tremendous amount of weight in less than 6 mo.  While this is good, it is also a stressor on your body.

I might try eating a super clean diet for those three days.  Nothing but Steamed fish or chicken and low carb veggies with no added fat 3 times a day.  You might even eat an apple too, very cleansing.

Your line of reasoning not to is exactly my line of reasoning for doing it. I already do what you are suggesting and eat pretty clean to begin with. Mostly organic, not a lot of fried foods, an occasional organic apple, lots of spring water, etc.

Thanks for your input.

IMHO

I fast for religious reasons , 2-3 times a year....   nothing excep****er by mouth between sunrise & sunset....and pretty much everything else follows the rules of the "Daniel Fast" ...  

It's almost time for the first of this year's fast... I havent decided if I am going to participate...    not eating during the day light is easy for me...  I almost have to force myself to remember to eat as it is....   

as long as you get your calories & protein in , IMO, it cannot hurt...   the pre-op diet is sort of a liquid fast...  it was helpful to most...and if you are only doing it for 3 days, I say go for it!!

the 5-day pouch test is also a sort of fast...and Vets always push that on folks who want a reset, again not harmful for only 3 days...

FASTING is an excellent thing.  For all the reasons you listed.  I ahve done some recent research and it talks about fasting as little as 24 hours say once a week and the benefits of doing it.

I wouldn't do it within the first year of surgery because your body is still healing and going through changes and needs the protein etc., but say by year 2 I would think you would be fine.

Ms Shell

As usual, I support Ms. Shell's  well reasoned approach.  You are still healing and really need your protein.  Later, after your first year, I don't see any issues with it at all.

I suppose it depends on what your version of fasting is.  I recently saw a documentary called Fat Sick and Nearly Dead (streams on Netflix and I think Hulu).  One man on there went on a green juice fast for 90 days.  He not only got off most of his medications, he lost like 100 lbs.  I'm not saying one should do it for 90 days, but even a few days of it will re-set your body.  Last year I did I juice fast for a week and felt amazing (lost 12 lbs too). It also supports the up and coming studies that we don't need all the protein we're told we need. 

Keith, let me tell you fasting is good  for short period of time..not for days on end...(Church is doing 21 days..I do three or so and rejoin my intake!