Gastric bypass, a weight loss surgery procedure, reduces the size of the stomach to a small pouch and rearranges the digestive system to bypass part of the intestines. Patients lose weight rapidly due to reduced intake and malabsorption, according to MayoClinic.com. Postoperative gastric bypass patients have increased protein needs that must be met through lean and low-fat dietary sources.
Protein Requirements
Healthy women need approximately 46 grams of protein per day, and healthy men need about 56 g per day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Proteins make up parts of every cell in the body, and replacement must occur every day. Most American adults eating a balanced diet consume more than enough protein for their needs. An adult male, for example, could meet his daily protein needs by drinking 1 cup of milk and eating 3 ounces of meat, 1 cup of dried beans and 8 ounces of yogurt.
Protein Requirements After Gastric Bypass
Postoperative gastric bypass patients, however, have higher protein needs for several reasons: rapid weight loss, reduced calorie intake, malabsorption, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, food intolerance, fear of weight gain, depression or other factors, according to Linda Aills, R.D., in a report published in the March 2008 issue of Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases. To avoid postoperative protein malnutrition, gastric bypass patients must consume 60 to 80 g of protein per day for the rest of their lives. Protein malnutrition causes muscle wasting, weakness, hair loss and liver dysfunction, says Aills.
Sources and Types of Protein
Protein sources include eggs, nuts, seeds, milk and milk products, dry beans and peas, fish, meat and poultry. Grains, as well as some vegetables and fruits, also provide small amounts of protein. Some amino acids, the building blocks of protein, are manufactured by the body but others--called essential amino acids--must come from dietary sources. Complete protein sources, including meat, fish, poultry, milk, cheese and eggs, contain all of the essential amino acids. Incomplete protein sources provide some essential amino acids but are low in one or more of the others.
Postoperative Diet
After gastric bypass surgery, patients slowly progress from a liquid diet to high-protein, low-sugar and low-fat solids as their bodies heal. In the clear liquid phase, patients mix a protein supplement into broth, water or other fluids. Several days later, they move into the full liquid plan, which may include milk and other dairy products. The pureed and soft-food phases may include soft scrambled eggs and flaked fish. After approximately eight weeks, patients may begin adding tender meat and poultry but should avoid dry or stringy meats. Patients unable to consume enough protein through food may supplement with protein bars, shakes or gels.
Considerations
Postoperative gastric bypass patients must emphasize lean protein in their diets. They should avoid fried chicken or fish; yogurt sweetened with sugar; beans prepared with pork fat and high sugar sauces such as baked beans; and other high-fat, high-sugar items, according to MayoClinic.com. Patients should choose lean meats, low-fat dairy products instead of hot dogs, ribs, marbled steaks and other fatty or overly processed protein sources. Patients should also be aware of food intolerances that may cause diarrhea, nausea and vomiting or abdominal discomfort. Those with lactose or soy intolerances should choose other high-protein foods.
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