Regardless of the procedure, patients of stomach reduction surgery for the treatment of morbid obesity are instructed to follow a high protein diet to stimulate healing and promote weight loss. Bariatric centers espouse what is commonly known among weight loss surgery patients as the "Four Rules" the most important of which is "Protein First." That means of all nutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fat and alcohol) the patient is to eat protein first. This is true for all stomach reduction and restriction procedures including gastric bypass, gastric banding (lap-band), and gastric sleeve.
Protein is an essential building block for muscle, blood, skin, hair, and nails. We need it for muscle repair, for building natural immunities, and for proper growth and development. Every cell in the human body depends on it, which is why it is important to get the recommended allowance every day. A high protein diet that is low in carbohydrates and low in fat is believed to promote weight loss due to the metabolic impact of protein. It has the highest thermic effect at 20-30% of all food elements. That means the energy expended during digestion and absorption of protein is 20-30% more than the energy (caloric) content of the food. It takes more energy (calories) to digest and absorb protein than the energy (calories) it contains. In other words, the body must tap into stored energy resources, body fat, to get the job of digestion done. That is why a high protein diet triggers fat loss.
Protein Products
Based on a 1,200 calorie a day diet weight loss surgery patients are counseled by their bariatric nutritionists to eat from 60 to 105 grams of protein a day. This recommendation varies by patient and by nutritionist. For adults without gastric surgery the standard protein intake calculations go like this:
Average protein recommendation (.36 g) x your body weight (lbs) = grams of protein per day Higher protein recommendation (0.68 g) x your body weight (lbs) = grams of protein per day
Animal products are the most nutrient rich source of protein and include fish, shellfish, poultry and meat. Dairy protein, including eggs, is another excellent source of protein. In fact, the quality of egg protein is so great that scientists typically use eggs as the standard to measure protein quality in other foods. On overage, one ounce of animal or dairy protein contains 6-7 grams of protein as well as many other minerals and vitamins. Nuts and legumes are a fair source of protein but are significantly higher in fat than carefully selected lean animal protein. Also, due to their high fiber content, they may be more difficult for some gastric surgery patients to digest.
For weight loss surgery patients who feel restriction after eating a very small amount of food, protein is not always the most comfortable food choice, particularly lean animal protein. It is essential that gastric weight reduction patients chew their food thoroughly to avoid discomfort when eating. The high protein diet must be sustained even after healthy body weight has been achieved in order to maintain a healthy weight and avoid weight regain. A diet high in protein works to reduce snacking or grazing because protein foods help you feel more full compared to eating the same amount of starch, sugar, or fat. That satisfied feeling can make it easier to eat fewer calories while you lose weight.