I know lots of drs including mine do not want their patients
Relying on protein drinks but why?

I drink about 3 a day plus a meal at dinnertime . This usually works very well for me. I get the amount of protein I need without overeating so why isnt this okay?

 In general, you're expected to eat solid proteins because they will help you stay feeling full longer. Protein shakes, as liquids, will usually flow out of your new, smaller stomach pretty quickly.

I belie e the primary reason, is what Bette stated above. Fluids pass through the pouch quickly. When hunger returns, there isn't the feeling of food resting in your pouch, so it's possible that someone would take in twice the needed calories, or more.

You appear to be three years out and maybe it is working for you. I have met others, who also do shakes mostly with just one single meal a day.

For me personally, I want to chew. I want to taste food. I am very satisfied with a small amount now. But I personally could never be happy on shakes. I think it's a personal choice. And surgeons give direction based on the majority. Doesn't mean it has to be that way for everyone.

I agree with Bette about the solid proteins and because living on protein drinks is just not really functional - how many people do you know who do not have any health difficulties that do this? Athletes supplement a normal diet rather than replace.

Also, protein drinks do not contain the micro nutrients and fibre that we need in our diets so they are ok as a supplement as necessary but are not really good for meal replacements in the long term!

 Without enough fiber there is a lot of gas and constipation.   I do not do well without whole grain, vegetables, fruits and lots and lots of water.

I asked because when I eat regular food for protein Instead of the drinks it seems to trigger me to eat a lot. I can't seem to stay under 1600 calories. So I just wondered why protein drinks are so taboo.

If it works for you, it's perfectly okay.

You will find on this journey that there are many areas where your program will give you guidence that is either a bad idea in general or a good idea for some, but just doesn't work for you. That's because there are a lot of areas where they give us advice where there just isn't one right answer.

My program has always encouraged protein shakes as a good way to get in your protein and have room for more veggies. Another program is convinced that it's a bad idea to drink any of your calories. And both are right depending on the person. Some people add tons of calories to their day with protein drinks because they dont' find them filling. Others don't experience this and having protein shakes is the only way they can meet their protein goals.

I still have one most  days for breakfast even now at 3.5+ years out. They go down easier than a solid breakfast and give me a good start on my protein goals and fluid goals. On days when I don't have one, I often get to the end of the day and am short in both areas.

Solice it is prefered to get your protein from food and just supplement with protein drinks, but I say whatever works for you! ;-)

Many people can't do that long term.  If that works for you now - it may be OK, but long term - not really practical. Most docs believe that post op WLS we should learn how to eat food without overeating.  Is that practical? for some for sure.  Protein drinks is like diet all the time.  Ad as other said - it may be difficult to get the "real" nutrition just from shakes.
On top of that - it is highly processed food - with a lot of additives. And a lot of the mixes has chemicals - artificial sweeteners and flavors.  That can't be good for anyone.  IMO.

I'm at the point that I feel like I don't really know what or how to eat anymore. My surgeon and nutritionist wants me eating 1,600 calories a day with 60-70g protein. That however makes me gain weight.

I do eat some foods but not a lot. I feel that once I start eating what I feel to be normal, it opens up the floodgates and I wanna eat even more....then I start snacking on things like potato chips and cookies.
I went away for a. Week. I ate as my surgeon and nut suggested and I came back 10 lbs heavier. I was mortified. That's when I started using protein shakes, along with 1 meal and 1 snack while keeping my protein at around 100g protein and 1,200 calories. I lost the 10 lbs in 6 weeks.

I'm no where near my goal weight so if anyo e has any ideas I'm all for it. All I know is when I drink the shakes I don't crave carbs or snacks. I stay full until the next meal.

If the process work for you- don't change it. 

It is your body and you need to do what makes you and your body happy.

I do drink protein shakes but that because I can't get enough proteins in the day if I do not.
Based on my body chemistry - (blood work) I need 120-150 gr a day to be mid normal.
My body gains weight when i eat too many carbs and the wrong carbs. (that also when I get severe RH - too many or wrong carbs)  I also get really hungry (low BS most likely) when I eat carbs.
So I relay on proteins and fats and some carbs - just enough to make my life interesting and keeps the low BS at bay (that probably means 30-60 gr carbs per day).
I know by now what foods affect my BS and how. And in what combination.
But at the same time I try to avoid starchy carbs. (grains, beans, starchy veggies, bananas etc.) Some more than others.  And even the "good" carbs for me I try to eat together with fat and proteins.

I probably would gain weight on 1600 cal with only 60-70 gr of proteins - the rest is most likely just carbs... and they probably tell you to do low fat.... that would never work for me.

I eat 6-7 times a day. I don't use milk - (too many sugars), and most days I eat protein plus fat rich breakfast. Some fiber also helps. or get protein shake.
Then snack, then lunch, then snack again, then dinner, and LNS... I probably eat more than 1400-1600 per day, but with low carbs (net carbs- I do not count fiber) I not only get really full but also don't gain...
I may have a few chips here and there (but only as a part of one of main meals).
Nuts, cheese, protein shakes, protein bars (quest - high protein) are mine -in-between foods...

But when I have vacation - I still may use bars but shakes are a bit too messy. So I learn what to eat when I traveled. (it is so easy to gain)

Thanks for sharing.
It is working so I kinda don't wanna mess with it. Today is probably the first time in over a year I am under 190 lbs. The protein shakes help me keep the carb monster at bay.

 I think you are wise to find what works for you and question what the surgeon and nut suggest.

I am over 3 1/2 years out and been at goal a long time. like MacMadame, I have a protein drink for breakfast almost every day. no harm I can see. 

I usually have second breakfast (like Hobbits do) a few hours later and that is also OK. 

Hi, I think I should've been at goal but I've been gaining or maintaining for over a year. Just recently I realized that 1,600 calories is simply too much for my activity level....I can't lose.

For the first time in over a year I'm under 190 lbs and I'm excited about that.

It's trial and error I guess. You gotta find out what works for YOUR body.

I positively have to have three protein coffees a day.   Just cant eat enough to get my protein in. Surgeon said if that is what I need to do it was okay.  I am 2.5 years out.  I also eat a lot of yogurt, cottage cheese, and other cheeses most days.  Two bites of meat and I am done.

When I asked the surgeon how big my sleeve is he said he took 90% out so my sleeve is very small.