Assessment of Protein Intake in the First Three Months after Sleeve Gastrectomy in Patients with Severe Obesity

An adequate protein intake prevents the loss of fat-free mass during weight loss. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) jeopardizes protein intake due to post-operative dietary restriction and intolerance to protein-rich foods. The purpose of this study is to evaluate protein intake in the first three months after SG. We evaluated, 1 month and 3 months after surgery, 47 consecutive patients treated with SG. Protein intake, both from foods and from protein supplementation, was assessed through a weekly dietary record. Patients consumed 30.0 +/- 10.2 g of protein/day on average from foods in the first month, with a significant increase to 34.9 +/- 4.8 g of protein/day in the third month (p = 0.003). The use of protein supplementation significantly increased total protein intake to 42.3 +/- 15.9 g protein/day (p < 0.001) in the first month and to 39.6 +/- 14.2 g of protein/day (p = 0.002) in the third one. Compliance with supplement consumption was 63.8% in the first month and only 21.3% in the third month. In conclusion, both one and three months after SG, protein intake from foods was not sufficient. The use of modular supplements seems to have a significant impact on protein intake, but nevertheless it remains lower than recommended.

Automated summary

This study evaluated protein intake in patients in the first three months after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG). The findings showed that protein intake from foods was insufficient, and the use of protein supplementation increased total protein intake, but still remained below recommended levels.