Is Fasting an Effective Weight Loss Strategy?

You may lose weight if you can manage to fast, but you can also harm your body. In fact, longer-term fasting is more apt to hurt you than help you. Below, trusted Sydney bariatric surgeon Dr Vytauras Kuzinkovas discusses various types of bariatric surgery that prove more effective than fasting.

You may lose weight if you can manage to fast, but you can also harm your body. In fact, longer-term fasting is more apt to hurt you than help you. Below, trusted Sydney bariatric surgeon Dr Vytauras Kuzinkovas discusses various types of bariatric surgery that prove more effective than fasting.

Fasting and Weight Loss

While it makes sense that not eating via fasting will lead to weight loss, the truth is that very few people have the discipline to fast for a long period of time and do it safely and correctly. They must then follow the right diet to keep the weight off. Fasting makes your body start conserving calories, and that leads to metabolism changes.

Fasting Issues

Fasting does not necessarily mean the cessation of all foods. Those fasting must drink water or juice for hydration. Other fasts may include a small amount of food, but the amount of calories involved is negligible. While some doctors may order medical fasting for certain patients, this is really not a do-it-yourself project.

Although you will notice short-term weight loss with fasting, the lost pounds are water weight. Continue fasting for more than a few days and muscle loss begins. The human body is designed to eat for sustenance. Prolonged fasting can cause many side effects, including:

• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Low blood sugar
• Muscle aches
• Weakness

Fasting can also compromise your immune system. In a worst-case scenario, fasting can lead to irregular heartbeat, kidney and liver issues, and breakdown of muscle tissue. The longer the fast, the more danger you put yourself in. There are better, healthier weight loss solutions than fasting, among them bariatric surgery.

Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery consists of several procedures designed for permanent weight loss. These include:

• Gastric banding –This minimally invasive procedure does not change digestion, and patients spend less time in the hospital and away from work than with other bariatric surgeries. However, the band will require regular adjustments for effective weight loss.
• Gastric sleeve surgery –This non-reversible procedure removes much of the stomach, forming the gastric sleeve. For those who want to “set and forget” an operation, this is a good choice.
• Gastric bypass – This surgery changes the way food is digested. It has the highest efficacy rate of any bariatric surgery, but does require additional follow-up. For diabetics, bypass surgery can potentially cure their disease.

For More Information, Contact Advanced Surgicare

If you would like more information about how bariatric surgery can address your weight issues and the right type of surgery for your needs, schedule your personal consultation with experienced Sydney bariatric surgeon Dr V. Kuzinkovas by contacting Advanced Surgicare on 1300 551 533 today. He will discuss your options and answer all of your questions.