What time is YOUR breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and do you have snacks?

Not sure if I mentioned this to you in a post recently, or if it was to someone else, but I really think you need to rethink the protein bar. I think it may be the root of your problem. They can trigger hunger for a lot of people.

I also don't know how far out you are from surgery, so that makes it hard to answer, too. But, here goes:

I know your doc is against liquid calories. So is mine. However, to get adequate protein (even 2 years out) I have been "allowed" to consume a protein drink per day. (Frankly, I see no difference between a protein shake and a protein bar - neither are "real" food...) I'm not a big breakfast eater either, but I have found that I do much better if I get some protein in my body first thing in the morning.

I get up at 6:15 or so and make a protein decaf coffee to drink on the way to work. It's just one scoop of  GNC Amplified Wheybolic Extreme 60 in 12-16 oz of decaf. Just about 100 calories, 20 grams protein, 2 carbs (and some fat grams if I add almond milk).

At 10:00 am I eat 3/4 cup of Greek Yogurt with Chia seeds. That's how I do my breakfast.

I do have lunch and a late afternoon meal and then dinner. So, I drink the protein coffee and then I eat 4 times a day.

Does the protein thicken the decaf?

I don't use the same brand as Devon, but it is akin to adding cream and sugar to a coffee.  Last few sips sometimes is a little thick if I am not careful to dissolve it.  Don't use piping hot coffee or the protein will clump.  

Not at all. It's like adding powdered creamer to the coffee. Just make sure the coffee is under 130 degrees F so the protein doesn't clump.

This is where my NUT really helped me.  She had me figure out my normal (overeating) pattern and looked for the times of day that I gravitated toward.  This became my schedule, but with healthier options. 

6 am- something very light, piece of toast or 100 calorie protein shake

8:15-8:30  Greek yogurt, piece of cheese of a little fresh fruit

11- fibergourmet cinnamon crackers

1- fish, veggies, fruit

3:30 bag of protein pretzels

5:30-6 dinner mostly protein, veggies

8- a light snack

Almost every dietitian is going to recommend that you eat something for breakfast.  If you're having coffee, the easiest way to do it is either add your protein powder of choice to the coffee, or get a coffee protein drink like ProJoe or Click.  The focus is to get you going with at least 20g of protein in the morning.  I did protein coffees for many months in the first year post op because it was the easiest way for me to get the most protein in.  Now, I just eat food, usually meat - tilapia, chicken, steak, eggs.  Don't get caught up in needing "breakfast foods" for breakfast.  Eat whatever works.

Protein bars are great for emergencies or to supplement.  Not so great as a meal on a regular basis.

Snack monster at night - pull out some chicken broth and sip it.  Have a glass of milk.  Eat some cheese.  I realize that your doc wants you to limit yourself to 3 meals, but that's not realistic for most us.  As long as it's a planned snack/meal, it isn't grazing and shouldn't cause any problems.  The other option is to go to bed!

I do not eat breakfast foods.  I eat dense protein such as steak or chicken.  I found when I ate eggs, cottage cheese, etc, I got hungry a lot quicker because it did not stay with me.  I eat my morning meal anywhere from 8-9a.m. and then lunch around 1-2p.m. and dinner around 6-7p.m.  If I need a snack, I try to eat turkey pepperoni chips (17) or 1oz of almonds.  If the snack monster hits you at night make sure your snack is high in protein. 

I don't eat breakfast foods either, but only because I'm allergic to eggs. I usually have leftovers from the night before, which like you is often chicken, steak, or something similar.

I had cut out snacks but have had to add them back now that I started a strenuous exercise program and need more protein and carbs.  

I eat meals at 6:00 a.m., 12 noon and 6:00 p.m.  I have snacks at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  

It occurs to me that you are fairly fresh out of surgery and are already eating protein bars.  If I had to do it all over again I wouldn't do that; in my experience eating them in weight loss mode stalled out my losing every. single. time.  

I have never had a protein bar, but I hear that about stalls often. I think they are a bad idea. Someone, can't remember who got it right when they called them "glorified candy bars" That's basically how I have always thought of any type of bar protein or not.