Many bariatric surgeons recommend protein drinks for weight loss surgery patients. The American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery recommends that all bariatric surgeons include protein supplements in their patients' post-operative intake requirements. While this may seem to be unnecessary given the inherent intake restrictions from the surgery itself, protein drinks for weight loss surgery are an important part of your post-operative routine.
Types
Typically, you can find two main forms of protein drinks, powder and ready-made. Protein powders need to be mixed with water, milk or other liquids to form a drinkable protein shake. Ready-made protein drinks come in a can or a bottle and require no preparation. In addition, some protein shakes are suitable for patients who are lactose intolerant, a side effect to weight loss surgery for some.
Function
Consuming high-protein foods immediately after weight loss surgery can help to heal your wounds, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, in this phase of your weight loss surgery journey, you will most likely be on a liquid diet. Therefore, you need to drink protein shakes in order to get the necessary protein for healing. Over the long term, according to the Clinic, high protein intake helps you to regrow muscle tissue, replace skin tissue and prevent hair loss that often accompanies weight loss surgery.
Time Frame
Some bariatric surgeons ask that you drink protein shakes pre-operatively to help prepare your body for the surgery. Virtually all surgeons require that you drink protein drinks immediately after bariatric surgery; the time period varies with each surgeon, but most want you to ensure that you're getting adequate protein for life, whether this is through your food or through protein drinks.
Effects
A study published in "Obesity Surgery" in 2010 underscores that appropriate protein supplementation is necessary as late as 12 months post-operation, as patients that didn't keep their protein intake up lost less weight than those that did. In addition, many patients after weight loss surgery consider plastic surgery to help with body contouring. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends that your nutritional intake is adequate prior to considering plastic surgery, particularly your protein intake.
Warning
Post-surgery, the Mayo Clinic recommends that you avoid foods that are high in fats and sugars. This advice can be particularly pertinent to protein drinks, as they often have hidden sugars to make them more palatable. Look for a weight loss shake that is lower in sugar and then supplement with sugar-free alternatives to improve the taste.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Gastric Bypass Diet
- American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery: ASMBS Allied Health Nutritional Guidelines for the Surgical Weight Loss Patient
- Obesity Surgery: Protein Intake, Body Composition, and Protein Status following Bariatric Surgery
- Medical News Today: Only 15 Percent of Bariatric Patients Follow-up With Plastic Surgery, ASPS Report Says
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