Is It Permissible to Have a Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

I’m a mother of two children, and after I gave birth to my second child, I gained about 30 kgs. I tried dieting, but I gained more each time. I started getting depressed and crying all the time, and my husband lost interest in me. It is even getting hard for me to move around. Each month I would gain more and more I’m pretty scared that one day I won’t be able to get out of bed.

I don’t suffer from any health problems, but I’m afraid in the future I will. I am interested in a sleeve gastrectomy because it has no harmful side effects. I wish to know if it’s permissible or not.

Answer

Thank you for your question. May Allah reward you for being concerned about your health and understanding that you cannot let this go.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

I asked my teacher Shaykh Mohammad Badhib, and this was his response:

:مسألة تكميم المعدة يجاب عنها من ناحيتين

 الناحية الاولى: عندما لا تكون هناك حاجة للعملية. وانما يتم اجراؤها للتجميل فقط دون حاجة طبية. فهذا النوع عبث ولا يجوز أذية الجسد لأنه ليس ملكا للإنسان

الناحية الثانية: أن توجد حاجة طبية ماسة للعملية. وذلك بقرينة كلام طبيب متخصص ماهر. ويفضل أن لا يكتفى بكلام طبيب واحد بل يستشار اكثر من طبيب حتى يطمئن المريض. ويجب النظر في عواقب العملية . وهل يتحملها جسمه أم لا

واذا كان هناك طريقة للعلاج بغير العملية فلتتبع. لان طرق تخفيف الوزن كثيرة

There are two views on this surgery:

The first view deals with there being no actual need for the surgery, meaning that it is done for beautification only, without medical need. This type is considered vanity. It is not permissible to harm the body like this because a person doesn’t own his body (s. Allah does).

The second view considers whether there is a pressing medical need for it, in combination with the medical advice from a skilled, specialized doctor. It is preferable that she obtain a second opinion from more than one doctor so the patient can be sure of her decision. Of course, one would have to look at the effects of this surgery to see whether her body can endure it. And if there is another way to treat her weight gain without surgery, she should do that because weight loss options nowadays are many.

Weight Loss Options

My advice to you is to consider following a diet correctly, as no diet should cause you to gain weight. Instead of jumping to surgery, which is usually a last resort for a medical need, you should consider getting membership at ladies’ gym, getting a personal trainer, seeing your doctor to get a weight loss plan, or even hiring a nutritionist. The options are many and they all require effort. Please don’t bother with surgery if you don’t have to, this is not a quick fix. Be determined to conquer this problem, seek a solution with Allah’s help, and you will be successful.

Please see these links as well:
What Is the Islamic Ruling on Water Liposuction?
How Can I Stop Overeating and Regain the Will To Live?

May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.