After a gastric bypass, patients are usually advised to take in about 60 - 80 grams of protein per day. This can be a challenge in the beginning because they can only eat very small amount of food at a time. As time goes on, people can eat larger amounts of food and they may be able to get all of their protein from food. But in the beginning, most people rely on protein drinks to get enough. This is especially true in the first week or two after surgery, when most patients are on a liquid diet.

What You'll Need:

samples of a variety of protein drinks

If you've had a gastric bypass, it's very important to get enough protein. It is generally recommended that gastric bypass patients get a minimum of 60 grams of protein per day. It can be difficult to get that much protein from food, since you will only be able to eat small portions. For this reason, many gastric bypass patients use protein drinks or shakes to supplement their diet. Protein drinks or shakes can be used in place of a meal, or they can be used as a snack.

Many bariatric surgeons and dieticians tell patients to use protein shakes after a gastric bypass, at least temporarily. Some advise patients to use the shakes for the first few weeks or months after surgery, while other tell patients they should rely on protein shakes for life. But some doctors and dieticians tell patients not to use protein shakes at all, and say they should get all of their protein from food. Which is the right way to go?