What Is The Best Whey Protein Powder After Bariatric Surgery?

Grass-fed whey protein isolate is the ideal and often recommended protein for bariatric surgery patients due to its high quality and nutritional value.

The three most popular weight loss surgeries, known as "bariatric surgeries" include:

1. Gastric Bypass
2. Sleeve Gastrectomy
3. Adjustable Gastric Banding

Though the recovery and results may vary with each, the one thing they all have in common is the importance of protein intake post-surgery. Although protein is a vital component of any diet needed to support your muscles, immune system, and overall internal organ functions for the long term, in the short term just after bariatric surgery, protein is absolutely critical.

How Important Is Protein After Weight Loss Surgery

During a period of rapid weight loss, protein intake is essential to maintaining muscle mass and a healthy metabolism. Without enough protein during weight loss, the body will take its protein from your muscles resulting in muscle loss and weakness. The body will not have the nutrients it needs to rebuild that muscle. Within six months to 1 year, many patients also experience hair loss, which with adequate protein built into your diet, helps minimize. Maintaining muscle mass can also help reduce the sagging skin, which is common after bariatric surgery. Preventing muscle loss and building new muscle can help fill out your skin, minimizing the loose skin that can occur after losing fat.

Best Source of Protein After Bariatric Surgery

Medical literature recommends that most bariatric surgery patients strive to eat between 60g – 80g of protein each day. Although only 60 grams of protein may not sound like a lot, this can be very challenging with reduced gastric capacity and aversion to some foods.  Luckily the challenge of ensuring you are consuming enough protein can be overcome via a well designed liquid diet consisting of grass-fed whey protein, skim milk, and various soup broth (not all at once of course). 

How Long After Bariatric Surgery are Protein Shakes Added to my Diet?

As part of your pre-op regime (2 weeks before surgery), protein shakes are recommended for bariatric patients by the Center for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. A critical part of the initial recovery diet while still in the hospital (first or second-day) post-surgery and for the next nine days, you will be enjoying whey protein shakes in the hospital. We recommend bringing your whey protein to the hospital, so your body is already accustomed.

For the following weeks beginning immediately after surgery, your protein intake will need to come almost entirely from protein shakes while your stomach heals. After the first few weeks, you can introduce other protein-rich foods such as meat, chicken, fish, tofu, Greek yogurt, eggs, beans, nuts, quinoa, etc.

Though even with the introduction of solid foods, many find it very difficult to meet the 60g per day protein intake recommendation. High-quality whey protein and even better high-quality grassfed whey protein powder can be the best and most versatile way to achieve the minimum recommended intake.

Tips for Maximizing Protein in Your Diet

With calories significantly limited with each meal, here are a few tips to maximize the protein in your diet:

1. Include protein at every meal, including snacks.
2. Always eat your protein first with every meal; the priority should always be protein even above fruits and vegetables.
3. Add protein powder to foods that otherwise would not contain enough protein.
4. Protein shakes are a great option as they not only help achieve your protein intake, but they also contribute toward the recommended liquid consumption.

How do I Choose the Best Whey Protein Powder After Bariatric Surgery?

Protein supplementation is essential when working to achieve your daily intake goals. But with so many options, how do you choose the right one?

Grass-fed whey protein isolate is the ideal and often recommended protein for bariatric surgery patients due to its high quality and nutritional value.

Why is Grassfed Whey Protein Great Post-Bariatric Surgery?

High-quality grassfed whey protein is both easy on the stomach and is packed with a very high nutritional value which promotes muscle growth and soft tissue repair. Grass-fed whey protein over conventional whey will contain a higher density of macro-nutrients and fast-absorbing essential amino acids (EAAs are the building blocks of protein).

AGN Roots Grassfed Whey is the highest quality whey. It contains the most Glutathione and Lactoferrin in the industry per 25 grams protein, both of which are incredibly powerful for your body's recovery and immune system. Our whey protein isolate is also naturally free of artificial flavors and sweeteners, chemical detergents, bleaches, and acids often associated with gastrointestinal tract irritation.

Why is Whey Protein Isolate Best for Sensitive Stomachs?

Whey protein comes in two forms: Isolate and Concentrate. Isolate has higher protein content, less fat, and sugar, and is easier to digest due to the lower lactose relative to concentrate.

Best Whey Protein for Weight Loss Surgery Recovery?

Choose an unflavored grassfed whey to avoid unnecessary sugar and calories. It will also provide maximum versatility as the protein powder is an easy addition to soups, drinks, yogurts, apple sauce, or any other food of your liking without adding a harsh flavor.

At AGN Roots, we believe our Grass-Fed Whey protein isolate is the clear choice in supporting your weight loss surgery journey. With 25g of protein per serving, 0g of sugar, 0g of fat, and vast amino acid profile, our unflavored protein isolate is the perfect solution for achieving your protein and weight loss surgery goals.

It is also the only grass-fed whey on the ASPCA "Show with Your Heart" Certified Brand List. Sourced exclusively from family-owned farms on the coastal grasslands of southeast Ireland, AGN Roots Grassfed Whey is the only whey protein Animal Welfare Approved certified by A Greener World. 

AGN Roots Grassfed Whey Protein Isolate

• 25g Protein per Serving
• 6.5g Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)
• 0g Sugar
• 0g Fat
• Lactose-Free
• Gluten-Free
• Non-GMO
• Unflavored

We are proud to provide the overall best protein powder for post-weight-loss surgery recovery. Please feel free to contact us for any questions you may have around sourcing or customer experiences related to stomach sensitivities.

~ AGN Roots Grassfed Whey Team

Disclaimer: No content on this site should is a substitute for direct medical guidance from your doctor or other qualified clinicians.

References:

"Life After Bariatric Surgery: Patients: ASMBS." American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, asmbs.org/patients/life-after-bariatric-surgery.

"Bariatric Surgery." National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/bariatric-surgery.

Staff, written by OC. "After Bariatric Surgery – Getting Enough Protein?" Obesity Coverage, www.obesitycoverage.com/after-bariatric-surgery-getting-enough-protein/.