The importance of Protein after Weight Loss Surgery

 The importance of Protein after Weight Loss Surgery

Today I would like to talk to you about protein and why Dr. Campos, bariatric doctor here at Mexicali Bariatric Center insists so much on protein for weight loss surgery patients. I'm not talking immediately post-op, of course, it’s important to consume protein when you're healing because it will help heal your tissues and recover faster.

I've broken down how does protein intake actually determines your long term weight loss success.

1.- It’s actually harder for your body to digest and metabolize protein, so just by choosing protein versus any other food you will burn more calories.

2.- Protein will actually make you feel full for a longer time, when we have patients that call us and say: We're getting hungry in between meals or I eat and I'm starting to get hungry, we immediately want to check how much protein are they getting. Carbs will make you hungrier sooner, so you want to focus on your protein, you are less hungry, you eat less so you lose weight faster, protein will help you do that.

3.- And the third reason is that protein will actually help you build muscle. Why is muscle important in your weight loss? First, you want to lose your fat instead of your muscle, let’s say you jump on the scale and you've lost 10 pounds; fat is 3 times larger than muscle, meaning muscle can be 3 times more compact than fat, so you'll want to lose the fat and keep the muscle, How do you do that? You eat more your protein. That’s very important.

Another reason why building  muscle is so important is that muscle will actually help you burn calories and you don't have to do anything. Just by sitting there, if you have more muscle mass you'll burn more calories. Muscle will burn 22% more calories than any other tissue in your body. 

Who doesn't want that?

This is why men lose weight faster than women, because men typically have more muscle mass and this is also the reason why older patients lose weight a little bit slower, we lose muscle mass as we get older. There are numbers out there that indicate that a person loses ½  a pound  of muscle mass in certain years and then 1 to 2 pounds a year on further years. So, let’s say that you're a woman and you are over 60, you will be losing weight more slowly if you don't have enough muscle mass. You should build more muscle by consuming more protein, focus on really getting in the daily protein requirements, specially if you are in that category.

How much protein? that’s a very good question.

It varies a lot, there are protein calculators out there, but on average at Mexicali Bariatric Center we ask our gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and DS patients to supplement 60 to 70 grams of protein a day, this is additional to what they're eating, we are targeting that somebody should be getting around 90 to 100 grams of protein a day, but is very difficult to get that with the small amounts that you are eating after weight loss surgery, so this is why supplementation is important. Drinking protein shakes, powders, liquids will help you reach your protein target, and it’s even safe to get up until 120 grams, it depends, check with your doctor or go on the online protein calculator, it depends on your weight, your age, gender and other variables, but you will get the target number there.

One last thing, in order for it to be healthy for you to be getting this much protein, water needs to go hand in hand with the protein, this is very important. Don't forget that. I hope this helps!

I will write to you soon.

For more information on weight loss surgery please visit mexicalibariatric.com or call us toll free at 1-888-344-3916.

HOW TO AVOID OVERINDULGING AT HOLIDAY PARTIES

The holiday season is upon us, which means spending time with relatives, giving gifts and, of course, maneuvering through a host of holiday parties. The holidays are an exciting time of year with many opportunities to dress up and mingle with friends. However, the holiday festivities also include countless opportunities to overindulge in your favorite — and perhaps less nutritious — foods. Fortunately, Mexicali Bariatric Center, a premier Mexicali weight loss surgery provider, offers the following tips to help you avoid overindulging at holiday parties.

Stay Away From Fad Diets. Most people want to look great in their holiday party outfits. However, following the latest fad diet is not the way to accomplish this. Fad diets typically involve eating too few calories each day or avoiding a specific food group. Although this may seem like a good idea at first, following a fad diet often leaves you with an unsatisfied feeling, which can eventually lead to overindulging in unhealthy foods when you are hungry. Instead of following the latest fad diet, eat well-balanced meals and stay active.

Have a Healthy Snack Before a Party. Don’t go to a holiday party hungry! If you are extremely hungry, it will be easier to overeat when you finally get to the appetizer or dining table. Try eating a few almonds before you go to a party. Almonds are a good source of protein, fiber and vitamin E. They also contain more calcium than other types of nuts. Eating a few nuts before the party will make it easier to exercise willpower once you arrive.

Eat Living Foods. The good thing about holiday parties is that they often offer a large variety of foods, making it easier to find healthy choices among the cheesy, fried appetizers and meals. Sticking to colorful, crunchy living foods is a great way to ensure you are getting needed nutrients. As an added bonus, most fruits and vegetable contain a significant amount of water, helping you stay hydrated and feel full.

Drink Water. Lastly, be sure to drink plenty of water. Try to switch out every other alcoholic drink with a glass of water instead. There are many good reasons to do this. For instance, the more water you drink, the less alcohol you will consume, helping you avoid a hangover the next day. Also, keeping your stomach full with water allows you to eat less and still feel satisfied.

The holiday season is a great time of year, so enjoy it. Enjoy the company of family, friends and colleagues. Enjoy the holiday decorations and traditions. Just be sure to avoid overindulging during the holidays, so your clothes still fit comfortably when the New Year rolls around.