Protein Supplements

Use of a protein supplement during the two weeks before your surgery and the month after your surgery is important to the successful outcome of your bariatric surgery. A high protein, low calorie diet is required prior to surgery in order to reduce the size of your liver. After surgery, adequate protein is necessary to insure optimal healing and minimize loss of lean body mass. We recommend using a liquid protein supplement to provide appropriate nutrition during the preoperative period and phases one and two of the postoperative diet. There are many protein supplements available at local grocery stores, pharmacies, and health food stores. The following guidelines are meant to assist you in selecting a protein supplement that meets your needs. As long as the products you are using meets the basic selection criteria, you can feel confident that you are meeting nutritional goals.

Basic Guidelines for Selecting a Protein Supplement

Preoperative (start 2 weeks before surgery)

1. Provides 60-80 gm protein
    
2. Tastes good
    
3. Contains multiple vitamin & mineral supplement, but no herbs, ephedra, or other unnecessary additives.
    
4. If you are hungry, you can consume low calorie items in addition to the protein supplement during the preoperative two weeks. Allowed items include broth, SF Kool-Aid, Crystal Lite, SF Jell-O, diet soda, SF Popsicles and other items with less than 5 calories per serving.
    
5. Examples of clear liquids allowable during the two days just prior to surgery include: apple, grape and cranberry juice, Popsicles, Jell-O, broth, 7-up or Sprite, small amounts of coffee or tea, Kool-Aid, Crystal Lite, fruit ices.

Postoperative Phase One (start when upper GI shows you are ready until 2 weeks after surgery):

1. Provides 60-80 gm protein
    
2. Tastes good.

Postoperative Phase Two (post-operative days 15-30):

1. Provides approximately 30-40 gm protein per day.
    
2. Tastes good.
    
3. Is well tolerated.

Postoperative Phase three (post-operative days <30):

1. No protein supplements recommended unless specifically instructed by your surgeon.

Protein Supplement Products

Most protein supplements have a better flavor if they are mixed with 8 oz very cold skim milk or a combination of 4 oz skim milk and 4 oz ice cubes and/or very cold water. Shakes are more filling if they are blenderized; this is especially important during the preoperative period when intake is minimal. Postoperatively, you may be more comfortable mixing shakes by hand to avoid incorporating extra air and causing bloating etc.