How Much Protein Do You Need After Gastric Bypass?

While gastric bypass surgery can be a powerful help to individuals battling obesity, the recovery process does require some fairly significant lifestyle changes. For the most part, these adjustments will have to do with the patient's diet. After undergoing the operation, you will start to rapidly lose weight. At the same time, however, your body will also be in the process of recovering from an operation. So, your diet afterward will really have two main goals: to support recovery and to sustain weight loss. Protein can play a powerful role in both of these aspects and is, therefore, an incredibly important part of recovering from gastric bypass. After having surgery, though, how much protein do you need? How can bariatric protein powder help you during this period? General Recommendations Typically, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) recommends that all post-surgery patients get between 60 and 100g of protein each day. It's important to realize, though, that the exact numbers will vary based on your overall health and activity level. Your dietitian can make personal recommendations for you that will be ideal for supporting your individual needs. Using Protein Powder When on a high-protein diet, it can be extremely tempting to rely solely on protein powders as your primary source of the macronutrients. It's important to realize, however, that protein supplements cannot replace all the complexities of a nutritious meal. Especially after surgery, your body needs a variety of vitamins, minerals and other substances to support the healthy function of your various biological systems. While protein powders sometimes contain these substances, they simply are not in high enough concentrations to meet your needs. Instead, use protein powders to help you reach your protein goals without replacing your healthy diet. Other Considerations According to the ASMBS, it's also important that you limit your carbohydrate intake to under 50g per day to avoid developing hunger cravings that could lead to a regain of weight. Since your body has just undergone a pretty stressful event, you need to make sure that it has all the water that it needs to support recovery. Interestingly, your body also needs an ample supply of water to burn fat stores. To that end, make sure that you drink at least 64oz of water every day. Read More: What is Lean Whey Protein? The 4 Forms of Whey Protein and Which is Best Top 5 Organic Whey Protein Smoothie Bowl Recipes