Best way to get protein after gastric sleeve

Body

Protein is one of the most important nutrients of concern for bariatric surgery patients. Since bariatric surgery reduces the capacity of the stomach to a very small volume, high-protein foods should always be eaten FIRST or you may become too full to eat them. It should be included in all of your meals after surgery as it provides many important benefits including:

• Aids in proper wound healing after surgery
• Helps keep your skin, hair, bones and nails healthy
• Helps form hormones, enzymes and immune system antibodies that help your body function effectively
• Helps your body burn fat instead of muscle for healthier weight loss
• Supports your metabolism so you lose weight faster
• Helps curb hunger between meals

Liquid Protein Helps You Meet Your Daily Requirements

It can be challenging to consume enough protein from foods alone during the first several months following surgery. Many patients continue to drink liquid protein supplements well past the full liquids stage to meet their daily protein requirements. They are a balanced, convenient, and inexpensive protein source. Keep in mind, not all protein supplements are created equal. Protein shakes are usually either made from whey protein isolate, or whey protein concentrate, and sometimes a combination of both. Whey protein isolate is the preferred form for post-op patients as it is a higher quality, complete protein that has been “isolated” from fat and lactose that is found in milk. Whey protein concentrate can contain varying amounts of carbohydrates and fat along with the protein. Because of this, whey protein isolate often has a higher price point than whey protein concentrate.

Plant Based Protein?

Keep in mind that plant-based or vegan protein shakes typically do not provide “complete” protein. A complete protein contains all 9 essential amino acids that make up a protein molecule required to build and repair muscle tissues in the body. Plant proteins should be used together with animal protein sources to provide you with all of the essential amino acids you need. For example, if you prefer drinking a plant-based protein shake, make sure to eat eggs, yogurt/cottage cheese, milk, fish, or some type of meat throughout the day. When choosing animal proteins, choose lower fat, lean meats like seafood, skinless chicken or turkey, pork chops or pork tenderloin, and beef sirloin or round, or 93% lean ground beef. If you follow a vegan diet, choose a protein shake that is made up of a blend of protein sources like pea protein and hemp protein together to ensure it’s a complete protein.

Protein Goals After Weight-Loss Surgery: How Much is Enough?

The recommended intake varies depending on your individual needs, your surgery type, and the bariatric diet prescribed by your surgeon or dietitian. However, basic guidelines include an average of 60 to 80 grams a day for women and 70 to 90 grams a day for men. Duodenal switch patients, however, require approximately 100 grams daily.

It’s important to remember that more is not always better. Try not to exceed the range of recommended daily protein, unless instructed to do so by your physician or dietitian. Excess protein intake will result in excess caloric intake, and any excess calories that are not burned are stored as fat and will stall your weight loss.

Alternatives to Protein Shakes

If you are getting bored with the protein shakes, there are many different ways to switch up the variety to prevent flavor fatigue! Don’t forget that there are clear protein shakes that are not creamy and come in flavors such as lemon, berry, orange, etc. There is even protein water! Another option is buying unflavored protein powder that can be added to plain water, unsweetened decaf tea, crystal light, zero calorie sports drinks, or even chicken/beef/vegetable broth or unsweetened apple sauce. Many different brands sell unflavored protein powder. Some bariatric vitamin companies also sell high protein, low carbohydrate soup packets that you mix with hot water for a nice savory treat.

What is the Best Whey Protein Powder After Bariatric Surgery?

Grass-fed whey protein isolate is the ideal and often recommended protein for bariatric surgery patients due to its high quality and nutritional value.

The three most popular weight loss surgeries, known as "bariatric surgeries" include:

1. Gastric Bypass
2. Sleeve Gastrectomy
3. Adjustable Gastric Banding

Though the recovery and results may vary with each, the one thing they all have in common is the importance of protein intake post-surgery. Although protein is a vital component of any diet needed to support your muscles, immune system, and overall internal organ functions for the long term, in the short term just after bariatric surgery, protein is absolutely critical.

How Important Is Protein After Weight Loss Surgery

During a period of rapid weight loss, protein intake is essential to maintaining muscle mass and a healthy metabolism. Without enough protein during weight loss, the body will take its protein from your muscles resulting in muscle loss and weakness.

The body will not have the nutrients it needs to rebuild that muscle. Within six months to 1 year, many patients also experience hair loss, which with adequate protein built into your diet, helps minimize. Maintaining muscle mass can also help reduce the sagging skin, which is common after bariatric surgery.

Preventing muscle loss and building new muscle can help fill out your skin, minimizing the loose skin that can occur after losing fat.

Best Source of Protein After Bariatric Surgery

Medical literature recommends that most bariatric surgery patients strive to eat between 60g – 80g of protein each day. Although only 60 grams of protein may not sound like a lot, this can be very challenging with reduced gastric capacity and aversion to some foods.

Luckily the challenge of ensuring you are consuming enough protein can be overcome via a well designed liquid diet consisting of grass-fed whey protein, skim milk, and various soup broth (not all at once of course). 

How Long After Bariatric Surgery are Protein Shakes Added to my Diet?

As part of your pre-op regime (2 weeks before surgery), protein shakes are recommended for bariatric patients by the Center for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

A critical part of the initial recovery diet while still in the hospital (first or second-day) post-surgery and for the next nine days, you will be enjoying whey protein shakes in the hospital. We recommend bringing your whey protein to the hospital, so your body is already accustomed.

For the following weeks beginning immediately after surgery, your protein intake will need to come almost entirely from protein shakes while your stomach heals. After the first few weeks, you can introduce other protein-rich foods such as meat, chicken, fish, tofu, Greek yogurt, eggs, beans, nuts, quinoa, etc.

Though even with the introduction of solid foods, many find it very difficult to meet the 60g per day protein intake recommendation. High-quality whey protein and even better high-quality grassfed whey protein powder can be the best and most versatile way to achieve the minimum recommended intake.

Tips for Maximizing Protein in Your Diet

With calories significantly limited with each meal, here are a few tips to maximize the protein in your diet:

1. Include protein at every meal, including snacks.
2. Always eat your protein first with every meal; the priority should always be protein even above fruits and vegetables.
3. Add protein powder to foods that otherwise would not contain enough protein.
4. Protein shakes are a great option as they not only help achieve your protein intake, but they also contribute toward the recommended liquid consumption.

How do I Choose the Best Whey Protein Powder After Bariatric Surgery?

Protein supplementation is essential when working to achieve your daily intake goals. But with so many options, how do you choose the right one?

Grass-fed whey protein isolate is the ideal and often recommended protein for bariatric surgery patients due to its high quality and nutritional value.

Why is Grass-fed Whey Protein Great Post-Bariatric Surgery?

High-quality grassfed whey protein is both easy on the stomach and is packed with a very high nutritional value which promotes muscle growth and soft tissue repair. Grass-fed whey protein over conventional whey will contain a higher density of macro-nutrients and fast-absorbing essential amino acids (EAAs are the building blocks of protein).

AGN Roots Grassfed Whey is the highest quality whey. It contains the most Glutathione and Lactoferrin in the industry per 25 grams protein, both of which are incredibly powerful for your body's recovery and immune system.

Our whey protein isolate is also naturally free of artificial flavors and sweeteners, chemical detergents, bleaches, and acids often associated with gastrointestinal tract irritation.

Why is Whey Protein Isolate Best for Sensitive Stomachs?

Whey protein comes in two forms: Isolate and Concentrate. Isolate has higher protein content, less fat, and sugar, and is easier to digest due to the lower lactose relative to concentrate.

Learn More: Whey Protein Isolate -Complete Guide

Best Whey Protein for Weight Loss Surgery Recovery?

Choose an unflavored grassfed whey to avoid unnecessary sugar and calories. It will also provide maximum versatility as the protein powder is an easy addition to soups, drinks, yogurts, apple sauce, or any other food of your liking without adding a harsh flavor.

At AGN Roots, we believe our Grass-Fed Whey protein isolate is the clear choice in supporting your weight loss surgery journey. With 25g of protein per serving, 0g of sugar, 0g of fat, and vast amino acid profile, our unflavored protein isolate is the perfect solution for achieving your protein and weight loss surgery goals.

At a minimum you will want to avoid any protein ingredients that pull water from your intestines and causes you to feel bloated. Lookout for protein powders that contain Xanthan Gum.

Learn More: Xanthan Gum in Protein Powders Explained
Learn More: Nutrition Facts & Amino Acid Profile

It is also the only grass-fed whey on the ASPCA "Show with Your Heart" Certified Brand List. Sourced exclusively from family-owned farms on the coastal grasslands of southeast Ireland, AGN Roots Grassfed Whey is the only whey protein Animal Welfare Approved certified by A Greener World.

Gastric Sleeve Pre-Op Diet

As you approach your gastric sleeve surgery, the anticipation of your new body can be exhilarating. Still, there is no time like the present to start thinking about healthy eating habits designed to maximize your results.

Two weeks before surgery, expect to receive a strict diet to follow from your doctor to reduce calories by cutting out carbohydrates and sugar. The diet will consist primarily of protein and vegetables.

If you’re not used to protein macros dominating your daily caloric intake, a whey protein shake may provide a smooth and creamy transition.

Two days before your surgery, you can expect diet limitations commensurate with most invasive surgical procedures.

Gastric Sleeve Post-Op Diet

The next four weeks after the procedure, strict dieting will pretty much drive your day-to-day.

Week 1 Post Gastric Sleeve Diet:

The first week will be an entirely liquid diet to allow your body to heal and avoid post-op complications. Stick to clear liquids with no sugar, caffeine, or carbonation.

Week 2 Post Gastric Sleeve Diet:

You will still need to avoid solid foods but can start introducing more filling liquids such as protein shakes, yogurt, broth, or pureed soups.

Week 3 Post Gastric Sleeve Diet:

This week, you can add pureed or soft foods to your diet and start increasing your daily protein intake. Continue to make protein shakes a key component of your diet. You can also add soft foods such as hummus, pureed fruit or vegetables, scrambled eggs, etc.

Week 4 Post Gastric Sleeve Diet:

At one-month post-surgery, this is the week your doctor will likely allow the re-introduction of solid foods to your diet, thus marking a pivotal week and the beginning of your new, healthy lifestyle. For that reason, stick to a high protein, low fat, low carb diet. Avoid sugar, high-fat dairy, and high carb foods such as pasta.

Gastric Sleeve Diet After One Year

A year after gastric sleeve surgery, most patients will have lost all the weight from the procedure itself. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle will be key to sustaining the weight loss and improving overall health.

• Eat multiple meals per day; Add healthy snacks between meals
• As always, focus on protein! Protein should continue to be your primary source of nutrition.
• Limit your carbohydrate intake and avoid sugar
• Take your time and enjoy your meals! Chew slowly and eat slowly to avoid overeating and discomfort.
• Drink A LOT of water! Avoid juice, soda, and other sugary drinks.

Best Flavorless Bariatric Shake Protein

Bariatric Protein Supplements

Bariatric protein supplements and shakes are critical post-surgery and during the “stabilization” phase following your weight loss procedure. They should also be a staple in your diet long term to maintain your new, healthy lifestyle.

Protein Supplements vs. Meal Replacements After Bariatric Surgery

A common mistake is to assume protein supplements and meal replacements are synonymous. Meal replacements are much higher in calories and contain carbohydrates and fat which can be counterproductive to your diet. Protein supplements are low calorie, high in protein, and often do not contain any fat or carbohydrates.

Is Hydrolyzed Whey Protein - After Bariatric Surgery?

The issue we have with whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) because hydrolysis tends to yield a super bitter end product. Manufacturers tend to address the bitterness by introducing harsh flavor systems disguised as indulgent flavors. These intense and powerful systems typically contain ingredients a post operations consultant would balk at with a firm rejection.

Learn More: What is Hydrolyzed Whey Protein?

AGN Roots Grass-fed Whey Protein Isolate

• 25g Protein per Serving
• 6.5g Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)
• 0g Sugar
• 0g Fat
• Lactose-Free
• Gluten-Free
• Non-GMO
• Unflavored

We are proud to provide the overall best protein powder for post-weight-loss surgery recovery. Please feel free to contact us for any questions you may have around sourcing or customer experiences related to stomach sensitivities.

~ AGN Roots Grass-fed Whey Team

Disclaimer: No content on this site should is a substitute for direct medical guidance from your doctor or other qualified clinicians.

References:

[1] "Life After Bariatric Surgery: Patients: ASMBS." American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, asmbs.org/patients/life-after-bariatric-surgery.

[2] "Bariatric Surgery." National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/bariatric-surgery.

[3] Staff, written by OC. "After Bariatric Surgery – Getting Enough Protein?" Obesity Coverage, www.obesitycoverage.com/after-bariatric-surgery-getting-enough-protein/.

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