What happens if you don't get enough protein after bariatric surgery and why should you care? This post explores the reasons for its necessity, the potential signs of deficiency, and the recommended daily amounts for a healthy recovery. We'll also teach you how to recognize signs that you're not getting enough protein, understand why your protein needs increase after surgery, and learn how to meet your protein requirements. Not to mention the importance of collagen in the recovery process. Without further ado, let's begin! What this article covers: What Happens If You Don't Get Enough Protein After Bariatric Surgery? Why Do Bariatric Patients Need More Protein? Signs & Symptoms You're Not Consuming Enough Protein After Bariatric Surgery How Much Protein Do I Need After Bariatric Surgery? How Do You Get Enough Protein After Bariatric Surgery? Why Is Collagen Important for Recovery After Bariatric Surgery? What Happens If You Don't Get Enough Protein After Bariatric Surgery? When you fail to meet their protein needs, you risk several health complications. These include loss of muscle mass, slower healing, and a compromised immune system. Protein supports key bodily functions like tissue repair and immune defense. Without it, your body breaks down muscle tissue instead of fat to get the energy it needs. Our team of experts, founded by a bariatric practitioner over 15 years ago and recommended by doctors worldwide, always emphasizes the importance of meeting your daily protein requirements. Why Do Bariatric Patients Need More Protein? Why is protein so important after bariatric surgery, you ask? Weight loss surgery significantly alters the stomach's capacity, impacting how much and how often you can eat. This means you won't be consuming sufficient protein, which your body needs to heal. This is where protein supplements can help. Based on our observations, increased protein intake also helps stabilize blood sugar levels and increase satiety, which is vital in helping you adhere to your new dietary restrictions without feeling hungry all the time. Signs & Symptoms You're Not Consuming Enough Protein After Bariatric Surgery If you're not getting enough protein after your surgery, you may notice several physical signs and symptoms. These include fatigue, hair loss, and muscle weakness. You might also experience mood swings and a general feeling of weakness. Protein deficiencies can lead to more serious health issues like edema, where your body retains fluid because it lacks the protein needed to keep the fluid in the bloodstream. Addressing a protein deficiency early can help prevent long-term complications. How Much Protein Do I Need After Bariatric Surgery? So, how much protein after gastric sleeve? The amount of protein needed after bariatric surgery varies depending on age, sex, type of surgery, and overall health. This requirement might be higher immediately after surgery and if you're very active. That said, our research indicates that 60 to 80 grams of protein per day is a sufficient average to approximate. How Do You Get Enough Protein After Bariatric Surgery? This section explores the best way to get protein after gastric sleeve surgery, from incorporating more high-protein foods into your diet to using supplements. We'll cover strategies that work well for those with new dietary restrictions. High-Protein Foods After Bariatric Surgery Foods like lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products are excellent sources. These provide the necessary nutrients to help preserve muscle mass and promote healing. Incorporating a variety of protein sources can help keep your diet interesting and make certain that you're getting a balance of essential amino acids. For those who struggle to meet their protein needs through solid food alone, supplements like protein shakes and powders can be invaluable. Protein Drinks After Bariatric Surgery Our findings show that protein drinks are a convenient way to get enough protein after bariatric surgery. From our extensive range of bariatric protein shakes, our Strawberry Banana High Protein Meal Replacement shake offers 27 grams of protein per serving, which supports muscle mass, healing, and recovery. This whey protein-based shake is easy to digest, which is ideal for the early stages of your post-operative diet. It's also low in calories, carbs, and fat but high in essential amino acids necessary for your body's recovery and long-term health management. Available in multiple flavors, you can enjoy our protein shakes while driving all of their benefits. Why Is Collagen Important for Recovery After Bariatric Surgery? Collagen helps to support the healing of tissues, including skin, muscles, and joints that may be affected by rapid weight loss and nutrient depletion. Our Multi Collagen Protein Powder provides a unique blend of collagen types I, II, III, V, and X. These increase skin elasticity and joint mobility, while also improving hair and nail strength. While collagen is beneficial, it's important to note that it should not be your sole source of protein because it does not contain all essential amino acids. Pairing collagen with other protein sources, like our high-protein shakes, ensures you get a complete nutritional profile to support your recovery. Conclusion There you have it! We covered the importance of meeting your daily protein needs, showed you how to identify signs of protein deficiency, and recommended various ways to incorporate high-protein foods and supplements into your diet. We also highlighted the critical role of collagen in helping recover and maintain the health of skin, joints, and other tissues. Remember, staying on top of your protein intake is easier with high-quality products. Visit our online store now to stock up on our standout options. If you want to learn more, why not check out these articles below: Protein Drinks After Bariatric Surgery Protein Pancakes After Gastric Sleeve Bariatric Vitamins vs. Regular Vitamins The Importance of Vitamins After Gastric Bypass Best Bariatric Multivitamin Chewable Vitamins for Hair Loss After Gastric Sleeve Best B12 Supplement for Bariatric Patients Calcium After Bariatric Surgery Calcium Citrate After Bariatric Surgery Magnesium for Bariatric Patients