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Importance of Protein After Bariatric Surgery

Protein is important for several mechanisms and roles in the human body including wound healing, transportation of nutrients in the body, tissue collagen formation, and muscle building. A diet that is high in protein is especially important for individuals after bariatric surgery. Individuals must take in sufficient protein everyday to speed wound healing, preserve lean body mass and enhance fat-burning metabolism.

When trying to lose weight, it is important to lose fat, but not lean muscle mass. Compared to fat stores, lean muscle burns more calories every minute of everyday which optimizes weight loss. High protein foods slow down the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract keeping the "hunger bug" at bay for an extended period of time. Unlike carbohydrates, protein has a stabilizing effect on blood sugar which reduces large fluctuations. In addition, the body uses more energy to digest protein compared to the digestion of carbs or fat.

Background of Protein

Protein is sorted into two categories - complete and incomplete. It is possible to choose two or more incomplete protein sources that when combined provide all the amino acids. Food labels will provide the protein content of most foods. If you choose a variety of protein foods from both complete and incomplete sources, you will be able to obtain adequate protein status.

Complete Proteins

Incomplete Proteins

Protein and Bariatric Patients

For bariatric patients, foods that are high in protein should be eaten first during meals. The recommended protein intake may vary from 55 to 100 grams per day, depending on the individual needs. Because it might be difficult to meet daily protein needs, some individuals combine high protein supplements such as shakes and soups into their diet after surgery.

Consuming sufficient amounts of protein after surgery provides several benefits to bariatric patients including:

• Proper wound healing
• Keeps hair, skin, bones and nails healthy
• Forms hormones and immune system antibodies to help your body function properly
• Helps burn fat instead of muscle:
By consuming sufficient amounts of protein, patients will preserve muscle tissue, which forces metabolism to go to fat for energy. This benefit of protein is referred to as "protein sparing" or "anti-catabolic."
• Supports metabolism to aid in quicker weight loss:
The more muscle on the body, the higher the metabolism and the more fat calories the body will burn.
• Muscle building and development
• Curbs hunger between meals:
One of the amino acids in protein, tryptophan (a precursor of serotonin) has been shown to provide a feeling of satiety.

Signs of inadequate protein intake include impaired wound healing, thinning of hair or nails, and extreme fatigue. Patients may also experience abnormal bowel movements in the form of constipation and/or low blood pressure. Severe protein deficiency may lead to fluid retention, mental disorders, and skin rashes. Typically increasing protein consumption will resolve these issues but lab values may be needed to fully assess protein status. The best indicator of protein status is prealbumin which is regenerated every 2-4 days allowing recent nutritional intake to be taken into consideration. Albumin and total protein may also be measured and used to evaluate protein status.

The role of protein has been well documented in preserving lean muscle and aiding in burning fat. For bariatric patients, it is extremely important to eat foods high in protein after surgery as it is essential in aiding in overall recovery and maintaining long term weight loss.

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