Ly almost entirely skipped breakfast and dinner, eating only a small amount of boiled vegetables, salad, or fruit for lunch. She drank water when hungry and consumed weight-loss tea bought online. In the first two weeks, she lost nearly 5 kg, but then her progress plateaued, and she experienced dizziness, extreme fatigue, a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, shaky limbs, digestive issues, and insomnia. She was admitted to Tam Anh General Hospital TP HCM for emergency treatment.

Doctors diagnosed her with dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, low blood pressure, exhaustion, and metabolic disorders. She received intravenous fluids and electrolyte correction to stabilize her vital signs. After her health stabilized, she was advised on treatment for metabolic disorders and obesity.

Doctor Khuyen advises Ly on a weight loss regimen. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Upon examination, Ly was diagnosed with obesity degree one, weighing 65 kg with a BMI of 28. She also had dyslipidemia, elevated liver enzymes, and elevated uric acid. "Fasting to lose weight is a mistaken and unsustainable method," warned Doctor Truong Thi Vanh Khuyen from the Endocrinology and Diabetes Department. She explained that the weight loss was due to a reduction in water and muscle, not fat. Severe dehydration leads to electrolyte imbalance, forcing the heart, liver, and kidneys to overwork with an insufficient energy supply. In the long term, this condition increases the risk of cardiac arrhythmia, kidney failure, endocrine disorders, and immune deficiency.

When calorie intake is suddenly reduced, the body triggers a series of reactions to protect its energy reserves. Hunger hormones like ghrelin are secreted more, while leptin, the satiety hormone, decreases. Concurrently, the basal metabolic rate is reduced. The body enters an "energy-saving" mode, slowing down calorie burning even at rest. These physiological changes make the body very prone to regaining weight as soon as a normal diet is resumed. This effect is known as "weight rebound", according to Doctor Khuyen.

The doctor prescribed a scientific and safe weight loss treatment plan for Ly, using appetite suppressants to reduce energy intake. Alongside this, Ly received counseling on a diverse nutritional diet, including lean protein to gradually restore lost muscle mass. She was advised not to completely eliminate carbohydrates, to consume sufficient essential fats, and to combine this with daily exercise.

Doctor Khuyen advises that individuals attempting weight loss should also adopt lifestyle changes, adjusting their diet and daily activities to maintain sustainable weight. Overweight and obese individuals should pursue scientific weight loss and avoid using online treatment products to prevent the risk of complications.

Duc Hanh

*Patient's name has been changed