Research

Energy balance

Despite significant losses in absolute muscle strength and lean mass, relative muscle strength (strength per unit of body weight or lean mass) and physical function (sit-to-stand time, 6-minute walk distance) improve significantly within one year of metabolic/bariatric surgery, regardless of the specific surgical procedure.

You will lose some muscle mass and absolute strength after surgery, which is normal. However, because you are losing a lot of body weight, your relative strength (strength for your body size) and physical function (walking, standing up) will likely improve. Focus on maintaining muscle through protein intake and light activity rather than fearing the inevitable loss.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Despite reductions in absolute handgrip strength, relative handgrip strength, STS test, and 6MWT improved postsurgery (all P < .02), with no differences by surgical procedure.
Friedrich C. Jassil et al. · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 2024

Why this rating

Secondary analysis of RCT with robust functional testing (STS, 6MWT) and strength measurements.

Source

One Year Changes in Body Composition and Musculoskeletal Health Following Metabolic/Bariatric Surgery

Friedrich C. Jassil et al. · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 2024

DOI 10.1210/clinem/dgae496

rct · n=119Cited 13×
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →