Scientific Reason why Patients should follow high protein diet after Bariatric Surgery

Undergoing bariatric surgery is a very major decision, as it demands patients to make lifestyle changes post-surgery. Like all surgical procedure, there are also multiple risks involved in it. However, it has also been proven to be the most effective treatment for managing obesity.

Although, a patient’s journey towards a healthier life really start after the procedure when they leave the hospital. In order to achieve the desired results, patients will have to make changes in their diet as well as their lifestyle.

Dialing into the diet is the only possible way for achieving and sustaining the fat loss, for maintaining a healthy weight. Contrary to popular belief, weight loss surgery does not permanently cure fat loss problems. However, it has the potential of allowing patients to start a healthier life, by reducing their weight to a certain degree.

Diet is a very important part of maintaining a healthy weight, after weight loss surgery. And most patients keep questioning the right diet that can be effective in helping them lose their weight.

We all have tried a diet which promises extreme results. Do this, for Losing X pounds in Y days! These advertising tend to excite people making them dream of losing 10 or more pounds in just days or weeks. However, people should realize that these are mere unrealistic promises that cause confusion amongst people.

In this blog, we are not going to harp on the highly ineffective or marketed diets. Instead, we will talk about some basic fat loss tips and protein’s importance for maintaining a healthy weight after bariatric surgery.

Why is Protein intake so Important?

Proteins are a type of large biological molecules and the building blocks of muscles, bones, cartilage, blood, and skin. They also act like hormones and enzymes and help in transporting oxygen and many other substances in a body by producing hemoglobin, (the protein present in the red blood cells).

Consuming the right amount of protein in the diet is important because human bodies don’t produce it on its own and so it relies completely on a diet for proteins and the production of amino acids in the body.

Animal-based proteins including fish, chicken, meat and dairy comprise of strong amino acid profiles.

High Protein Diet = More Fat Loss

If you have noticed this article is talking about fat-loss instead of weight loss. These terms are commonly used synonymously, but they have a different meaning. Weight loss is a scale drop on the weighing machine, where the individual puts no mind on where or how the weight has reduced. Did the individual lose fat, or just lose fat-free mass (like muscle)? This sure has helped in clearing that losing fat-free mass is neither desired nor considered healthy.

Now since the objective is to reduce fat, it becomes important to understand that according to several studies a high protein diet can help promote fat loss and preserve muscles.

More Satiated on High Protein Diet

The common success driver of any diet is the individual’s ability for staving off hunger. Achieving the satisfying feeling of having a full stomach keep the will-power strong whenever tempting delicacies enter the scene. Studies have shown that there is a significant reduction in an individual’s appetite when they consume a high protein diet. It helps them feel full during the day and fight the impulse of eating spontaneously leading to more fat loss.

High protein diets are usually more filling; these studies also revealed that snacks and foods high in protein make people feel fuller for a longer period, helping them avoid overeating.

High Protein Diet helps in preserving Fat-free Mass

The degenerative muscle loss is a major concern of aging, especially when following a prolonged diet with calorie restrictions. This can cause sarcopenia, which happens to everyone as they grow old and as the condition progresses it makes patients more susceptible to disease and illness. Research shows that a high protein diet (combined with exercise) can be effective in delaying the effects of sarcopenia.

Protein diet help preserve skeletal muscle; it has also been proven to prevent osteoporosis and several other health risks associated with ageing.

How Much Protein should a Bariatric Patient consume?

Now that the importance of protein has been emphasized. Let’s talk about how much amount of protein should be consumed by bariatric patients. Weight Loss patients receive counseling to follow a VLCD (very low-calories diet) for aggressive weight reduction pre and post operation, which makes it important that it is high in proteins.

Studies show that a diet comprising approximately 20% — 30% protein in comparison to total calories is good enough for living a life with decreased food intake which eventually promotes weight loss.

Patients should ensure that they consume the right amount of protein in their diet after their bariatric surgery, to avoid any complications, and maintain a healthy weight.