Protein After Weight Loss Surgery

Our Dieticians will recommend that you supplement your daily nutritional intake with a high quality protein during periods of rapid weight loss. This is especially true for the post Bypass and Sleeve patients. But the Band patients will usually experience some significant weight loss in the perioperative period, too.

Supplemental protein is a good idea for a variety of reasons. (1) Most importantly, during periods of rapid weight loss, the weight you lose will encompass 20-30% of lean muscle mass. This is the good stuff that you want to keep. Increasing your protein intake has been shown to decrease this percentage of good tissue weight loss. (2) Protein has been shown to increase a greater feeling of fullness than other macronutrients. (3) Protein has been shown to have a greater thermogenic effect than other macronutrients. This means that your body tends to burn more energy utilizing this fuel.

I get a lot of questions about what is the best type of protein. In general, the best type is one that comes from a reputable source, tastes good to you, mixes well, and is affordable.