Can someone explain why protein is needed?

I'm wondering why the huge focus on the amount of protein that is needed post RNY? It seems that 60 grams/day seems to be the magic number here. I know that many days pre-op I did not get that much protein in. And yes, I know what foods have protein and how much protein. And I know I was not eating many of those foods pre-op! For RNY my surgeon does not push protein. He says to include a good source of protein in each meal but if I add up his sample meal plan it has around 30 - 35 grams of protein in it. Now for the BPD/DS surgery he definitely does stress protein, but not for the RNY. He does a very proximal RNY, about 1 foot bypassed. So....where is the protein absorbed? If it is in the stomach, then why is protein stressed more for the DS surgery since they have larger pouches? If it is the intestine, then it seems the amount of protein absorbed would be greater with a proximal and less with a distal RNY or DS. I'm talking about 'food' protein, as opposed to supplements which I read are more easily absorbed. I'm not questioning the need for protein in general, I know it fuels our body and muscles, etc. But why do we have to focus on it so much more post-op RNY than pre-op other than we eat less of everything post-op.

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