International survey on complications of religious fasting after metabolic and bariatric surgery

Religious fasting is a tenet in many religions around the world and the ability to fast after MBS is an important discussion point for patients considering MBS. Religious fasting during the month of Ramadan is an extremely important pillar to Muslims. It remains unclear when is it safe for patients to start fasting in Ramadan after MBS and what are the risks of fasting after MBS. Two recent studies made recommendations on religious fasting based on expert consensus⁴ and a literature review⁵. In both studies, collaboration between the patient and the bariatric multidisciplinary team and practicing shared decision-making were at the forefront of recommendations. This is the first survey to look at complications following MBS when patients resume fasting in Ramadan which involves more than 10 h of fasting on average from food and water.

This survey reviewed patients with history of MBS who were fasting during the month of Ramadan in the 2021 or 2022 and were subsequently seen for a complication related to MBS. Sleeve gastrectomy and OAGB were the predominant procedures performed in patients with complications while fasting, followed by RYGB which is indicative of the international pool of surgeons contributing to the data and is consistent with previous report of MBS in the Middle East region⁶. On average, patients resumed fasting slightly over a year after MBS and participated in a fast from dusk to dawn that was approximately 13 h long. Fasting in Ramadan is unique in that participants refrain from drinking and eating during the fasting period. The fast includes not taking medications during the daytime, and thus may alter how patients are taking medication or if they are taking medications.

Perforated or bleeding marginal or peptic ulcers were the most common major surgical complications, and they occurred after SADI-S, OAGB, and SG. Additionally marginal ulcers after OAGB or RYGB or peptic ulcers in the duodenum after SG were frequently reported during Ramadan fasting⁷. When monitoring the healing of marginal or peptic ulcers during Ramadan or after fasting, PPIs remain the mainstay of treatment and are successful 90% of the time as a management strategy⁸. The etiology of marginal or peptic ulcers in patients with previous MBS during fasting remains unclear, but based on previous literature, regular use of PPI may be considered for prevention and treatment during fasting. Most patients with marginal or peptic ulcers had OAGB, but more OAGB was performed versus RYGB in this population. According to the findings summarized in Table 3, only one patient on PPIs had perforated peptic ulcer disease (PPUD), and other patients on PPIs had no occurrence of PPUD, so it may be advisable to instruct patients to take PPI throughout any periods of fasting.

The most avoidable operative intervention was a food bolus leading to obstruction of the jejunojejunostomy after RYGB but this occurred in only one patient. Reviewing postoperative dietary recommendations and mindful eating prior to fasting may be important to remind patients to avoid eating too quickly and not chewing their food well upon breaking fasts.

Dehydration was reported in 25 patients and kidney stones, which are likely closely related to dehydration, in six patients. Patients with dehydration required IV hydration and they had different types of MBS, so one procedure was not more prone to dehydration. Only 12 patients received recommendations to avoid fasting after being seen and treated. With this level of intervention required, it may be prudent to recommend short-term avoidance of fasting in patients who require IV fluids or develop kidney stones after MBS. Hydration with up to 2L of water is recommended for kidney stone prevention after bariatric surgery⁹. Given the rates of dehydration, the care team can strategize with patients how and when to hydrate and create a schedule for drinking fluids before starting the fast and after breaking the fast in the evening.

Abdominal pain was the most common symptom in patients with history of MBS during fasting. It could not be discerned if this was chronic or acute in this survey. There are several reasons for abdominal pain during fasting, including the risk of overeating when breaking the fast and eating foods high in fats and sugars that can lead to dumping syndrome⁹. Patients need re-education on smoking cessation, as many patients with complications after MBS were actively smoking. In addition, education and reinforcement of vitamin supplementation may help prevent kidney oxalate stone that can be best treated by taking calcium supplementation. Calcium is often broken down and taken over three to four times per day, which is not as feasible during a full daytime fast. It would be prudent to screen patients for a history of kidney stones before they begin fasting, as previous history can increase quadruple the risk of having stones later⁹. Since kidney stone recurrence is one of the complications, patients with this history may need to be advised to avoid fasting or given strict hydration instructions.

Glycemic control during fasting did not appear to be a common issue, and in the 3 patients affected by blood sugar variances, there were no obvious patterns. It would be important to track food logs in this group of patients and understand intake during eating hours and medication compliance. One patient was on insulin, but it is unclear if the patient was taking insulin while fasting. Diabetic patients on insulin, should be advised to consult with their endocrinologist before fasting if they had MBS¹⁰. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) can be a life-threatening complication and should be prevented. Although the risk of DKA is very low in T2DM patients during Ramadan fasting¹¹, the risk can be increased because of excessive reduction of insulin dose due to the fact that the patient is avoided from eating food during the fasting^10,12. Another etiology of DKA is increasing of ketogenesis and gluconeogenesis as a result of excessively breakdown of glycogen due to insulin deficiency during fasting¹³.

A practical guideline about diabetes and Ramadan, recommend to self-monitoring of blood glucose by diabetic patients and break the fast in presence of blood glucose levels > 300mg/dl (16.6 mmol/L)^10,12. Diabetic patients who had history of MBS are also advised to avoid sweets and high-sugar foods at Iftar to avoid DKA ⁴. A history of DKA within three months before Ramadan can be considered as high-risk patient and may recommend avoiding fasting¹⁴. Hyperglycemia was seen in a patient on oral medications, so again, medication compliance and consuming high carbohydrate foods after fasting may have contributed to this finding.

Religious fasting after MBS remains a reality that many of our patients encounter. Studies need to continue to explore adverse outcomes and if they can be avoided during periods of fasting. This survey contributes types of complications seen at an average of 14.2 months after MBS when resuming Ramadan fasting. However, further understanding of medication compliance, and diet details is needed. It would be helpful to have patients maintain diet logs to understand types of food being consumed, track amount of fluid intake for hydration, and when medications are taken. While this data gives some background about the risks of fasting, and areas to monitor in our patients, it does not define when it is safe for patients to resume fasting after MBS.

This survey despite being the largest collection of 132 patients with complications after fasting with history of MBS, the survey has several limitations. This was a survey and we were not able to determine the prevalence of these complications and differentiate if certain types of surgery are safer and offer less complication rates. In addition, it would be helpful to have vitamin levels and other lab studies to understand nutritional status when fasting is started. In addition the survey does not have a control group and may not answer the question of causality.

Finally, medical history is not provided, and some conditions may guide resumption of fasting vs avoidance. Ideally, prospectively collected database with preoperative factors, surgical details, and postoperative information would help clarify some of these limitations within our survey.

In summary, MBS is performed globally, and obesity is a global health issue and MBS may change common religious practices like fasting. For some patients, being unable to fast may make MBS untenable as an option and they need open counseling and advice. Patients should be advised about the risks of abdominal pain, dehydration, and marginal/peptic ulcer disease exacerbation while fasting, and review medications with their care team to garner advice about when and how to take medications. Work should be continued to identify how fasting can be done safely in the patient population, and in the meantime, patients should stay in close contact with their weight management team during periods of religious fasting.

Recommendations:

1. 1.

   Prior to commencing religious fasting, it is advisable for patients to engage in consultations with their surgeons and multidisciplinary teams (MDT).

2. 2.

   The regular utilization of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be contemplated as a preventive and therapeutic measure for marginal ulceration (MU) during fasting.

3. 3.

   After MBS, it is essential to provide patients with postoperative dietary recommendations and promote mindful eating habits before fasting. This serves as a reminder for patients to avoid rapid consumption and encourages thorough chewing when breaking their fasts.

4. 4.

   To prevent the formation of kidney stones following MBS, it is recommended to maintain adequate hydration by consuming up to 2 L of water.

5. 5.

   Collaborate with patients to develop strategies for effective hydration, including determining the appropriate timing and quantity of fluid intake before initiating the fast and after breaking it in the evening.

6. 6.

   Patients necessitate re-education regarding smoking cessation, particularly as many individuals who experienced complications after MBS were actively smoking.

7. 7.

   Diabetic patients who are on insulin therapy should be advised to consult their endocrinologists before embarking on fasting if they have undergone MBS.

8. 8.

   Diabetic patients should engage in self-monitoring of their blood glucose levels and discontinue fasting if their readings exceed 300 mg/dl.

9. 9.

   Patients with a history of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) within the three months preceding the Ramadan period may be classified as high-risk individuals, and it may be advisable for them to abstain from fasting.

10. 10.

    Diabetic patients with a history of MB are also encouraged to refrain from consuming sweets and high-sugar foods during Iftar in order to prevent the DKA.