Patients who have gastric sleeve surgery need to emphasize protein intake above any other food sources. Protein needs range from a minimum of 60g/day during the early post-surgical days to about 100g /day at a year from surgery. How can you know you are taking enough?

Immediately post-surgery, patients need to include protein as their primary food source. Of course, under a liquid diet the most important sources are Bariatric protein shakes, and dairy. On the other hand, some patients experience lactose intolerance after surgery, so it is best to avoid dairy, yogurt may be ok though. After the post-op the protein intake should be increased slowly up to about 100g, depending on exercise and tolerance.

Here is a list of some of the best protein sources to make your it easier to count your protein intake:

Protein source Protein per Serving Serving size
Bariatric protein shake. More than 25g of protein per serving may lead to diarrhea, more is not always better. Choose high quality protein shakes designed for bariatric needs. 22g Scoop / serving
Meat (chicken, fish, turkey). Choose lean! 7g 1 oz
Seafood (shrimp, lobster, scallops) 8g 1 oz
Tofu 2g 1 oz
Cheese. Choose low fat (most cheese are high in sodium and cholesterol) 6g 1 oz
Yogurt. Best if it is plain, Greek style, with no sugar & no fruit added. 1g 1 oz
Soy milk. If you must, I´d prefer to avoid soy. .87g 1 oz
2%, 1% or skim milk. I also avoid milk. For protein purposes milk substitutes (almond, coconut, Hemp) are not the best option, but are healthier. 1g 1 oz
Green leafy vegetables. A green juice may be a good idea, just make sure to limit the fruit to 1 piece (too much sugar!). 5g 1 cup
Beans 4g ¼ cup
Nuts, peanut or other nuts butter, and seeds (Chia, Hemp, Flaxseed, Pumpkin, Sunflower, etc). They have fat too. Do not graze on this, you´ll add up calories very fast! 5g 1 oz (1 tbsp)

To know more about protein, visit: https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/protein-foods


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OCC’s epidemiologist is closely monitoring the COVID-19 status and is actively issuing updates as they are available. The Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization are the most trusted sources online.  While the CDC has announced new mask protocols for vaccinated individuals, there will be no changes for our office protocols for patients, guests, and staff members as the announcement does not apply to hospitals or medical facilities. Masks are still a requirement for all patients, guests and staff at our facility.

As we reinitiate weight loss surgery, we are constantly adapting and installing new and updated safety measures.

Weight loss surgery is medically necessary.

Bariatric Surgery and the clash of two pandemics.   

Major metabolic and bariatric surgery Societies and colleges globally are now calling for the safe resumption of bariatric and metabolic surgery before the COVID-19 pandemic is declared over. 

The sooner bariatric surgery can be safely performed, the quicker obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other diseases can be reduced or resolved as they are not only chronic they are also progressive.  Obesity is also linked to more than 40 diseases including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and at least 13 different types of cancer.

A recent statement from the ASMBS says “Before COVID-19 began, it was clear that patients with obesity were ‘safer through surgery.’ In the era of COVID-19, ‘safer through surgery’ for patients with obesity may prove to be even more important than before.” Obesity and Metabolic syndrome have been identified as an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes including death among COVID-19 patients.

See here for full COVID-19 update. 

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