THE IMPACT OF PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE MAINTENANCE OF LEAN MASS IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING BARIATRIC SURGERY

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is a chronic disease that has become a global public health concern. Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment option for morbid obesity, providing weight loss and improved quality of life. However, postoperative lean mass loss is an important concern. Objective: Retrospective study on the impact of protein supplementation with whey protein on the loss of lean body mass in patients undergoing gastric bypass. Method: Patients aged 18-60 years without complications were followed up for at two years and divided into 2 groups: one received protein supplementation with whey protein (Group A, n=19) and another, control group, that did not receive supplementation (Group B , n=13). Demographic, anthropometric, clinical and laboratory data were collected and patients' assessment of quality of life before and after the operation. Results: The mean age was 38 years. The average loss of lean mass was 34.67 kg. There was no statistically significant difference in lean or total mass loss between groups (p=0.121 and p=0.072, respectively). The average quality of life before was 3.06 points and after the operation, 8.13 points. There was a statistically significant difference in quality of life between groups (p=0.018). The group that received supplementation had an average adherence to dietary guidelines of 8.06 points, while the one without an average of 6.14 points (p=0.045). Conclusion: The results indicated that protein supplementation had no significant effect on lean mass loss. However, improved patients' adherence to post-surgical dietary guidelines and did not affect quality of life.