Protein Question

Hi all! Today is the first day I'm able to add protein shakes into my diet. I'm having one right now. Do I also eat breakfast, or do I count this as my meal? Been scouring my nutrition packet from my surgeon's office, but that question isn't answered.

Thanks in advance. :)

I think it depends on what you can tolerate. It sounds as though you are pretty new post op. Your protein and other fluids/water is what is most important. One of the most common reasons folks are hospitalized again post op is for dehydration. I am five months post op and I make my shakes with yogurt, protein powder, water, ice and Truvia - I count that as my breakfast. Sometimes dairy (yogurt) is hard to tolerate as a new post op. I was somewhat lactose intolerant where I hadn't been pre-op. That seems to be fading  but I still am cautious with dairy.

After your shake I would wait a bit (an hour) and then, maybe try a few bites of whatever you are on for food. When I came home I was able to have water, shakes, full liquids (soups) immediately.

Hope this helps!

You probably couldn't eat breakfast with your protein drink if you tried!  I usually have a shake first with my coffee (liquids). Then I'll have a small breakfast, 1 egg and maybe a piece of sausage or bacon, at snack time.

Thank you, Sharon! I'm 5 days post-op. I am doing fairly well getting in my fluid, and got in 42 oz. yesterday and the day before. Need to up it a little more, though. I tolerated the protein shake well, it was just made with powder and water. So far, I've been lucky, and my pouch has tolerated everything I've tried with it. 

At a year out when I have a shake, I count it as my meal or snack.  Occasionally, now I may have a cheese stick or hardboiled egg with my protein coffee, but usually I would wait 2-3 hours and then have the food as a snack.