Why so many protein shakes???

 Why is everyone drinking so much protein shakes instead of foods??
My surgeon told me after 2 weeks postop now more protein shakes.  I just saw sum that drink that in place of 2 meals and then eat dinner.. WHY???

Im still preop so I cant offer answer this but I am curious to see the answers.  I have a few friends who do the protein shakes for every meal except for dinner and are successful, but I do not know much about those diets. 

Different Dr.'s have different protocols.  Like you, my Dr. didn't allow any liquid protein unless medically necessary, like during the liquid phase post op and after fills/unfills.  I lost 100 lbs without ever using shakes on a regular basis.  Instead I got 60-80 g of protein through food and personally feel that it may be one reason that I can eat breakfast when so many are too tight in the a.m.  Maybe I trained myself to eat realy food?  I have no idea if that's true or not, but as long as I have a warm beverage first thing in the a.m. I'm good to go and can eat breakfast no problem.

I will add though, that my Dr. now allows his patients to supplement their diet with liquid protein.  They were finding that too many people were not getting enough protein from food so they allow it becuase getting in your protien is critical to WL success and general health, energy, etc.

There's no ONE way, but if you can get it in with food, keep doing what you're doing.  It worked for me.

Best~
Lisa O.

 I was on full liquids ( protein shakes) for 4 weeks post op.  I still drink protein shakes for a day or so after every fill and most mornings ( I am too tight in the morning)  My surgeon has no problems with it and it helps me get my protein in.  The further out I get  the more I rely on protein shakes.  There was a time before I reached my sweet spot that I didn't use protein shakes much at all ( except of course after a fill) but now I use them regularly.  Different doctors different protocols.  

I totally agree with the two previous postings.  It is also a quick meal or snack for what ever the reason is and for a person's life style that includes family activities, on the go-go-go and or jobs etc.  We all have to do what we can with what we have to make this work for us as individuals.  There is no one way that works perfect for all of us.  Thus variety and choices!!!

My doctor said that they are ok to use long term if you want or need to, but not as your only protein source, real food of course is more ideal. 

He suggests them as snacks to curb hunger pangs and to help make sure you are getting all of the protein you need for the day.  Also for someone like me if you're on the run sometimes, they can be a good option if you can't sit down for a meal. 

You just have to be careful with the sugar/carb/calorie content, because some could slow down your weight loss or make you more hungry otherwise.  I drink the Atkins Advantage pre-prepared protein shake a few times a week. 

Personally though if they're past early post-op, I don't think replacing multiple meals every day with shakes is a good long term weight loss strategy.  What will their body/metabolism do when they start actually eating food again?  What is the point in getting the band?  They could have just gone on slim fast instead.  I don't get it.

I don't know about other people, but I only used protein shakes a few times immediately post-op.  For nearly 2 years I only ate "real food".

And I still do when I'm not pressed for time.

BUT, I'm tight enough now that even with drinking something warm first.. that if I want to eat real food in the morning, it takes me 30 minutes or more.   Honestly, I'd rather sleep a little later and have a protein drink for breakfast.  Days that I don't go to the gym I do take the time to eat.

When I get home from the gym, I have another protein drink to help repair my muscles.  Then I have lunch about 2 hours later.

My schedule is different from many as I am unemployed (happily).

Today.. coffee @ 6am.  Muscle Milk light 8am. (gym classes from 8:30 till 11am)  Syntrax Nectar 11am.  Lunch 1pm. Snack 5pm. (snack & supper got their times switched today.. oh well)   It's almost 8pm and I'm about to have supper.  Will go to bed about 10pm.. get up about 5 or 6am and do it all again.  :)

As someone else posted.. different doctors, different protocols.  I do believe in the "eat real food" plan, but I also believe in being flexible.  :)

My band is tight in the morning...i have great restriction after 11 for some reason,,,so i have one every day ...i use frozen fruit ...protien powder ..and i throw in my chewable vitamen ( because i cant stand the taste) but  i eat lunch and dinner and a snack at night...i mix mine in the blender and i enjoy them...my doc doesnt mind ...

My doctor doesn't allow meal replacement shakes except for the 48 hours following a fill or for those unfortunate times when I might get stuck (24 hours following).  I don't use them.  I find that there are soups and other "liquid" meals that are better tasting to get me through. 

 I try to get in 120-160 gr protein, if I feel a little tight or simply can't eat another piece of chicken I have a whey protein shake (its generally before or after the gym).  Its not a habit, but between trying to get in a gallon of water a day and not drinking for an hour after meals and trying to eat 5-6x day, it can be a challenge - so a protein shake help resolve both issues - I get 20-30 gr protein and can continue to drink immediatley after. 

So there's a time and a place - you may not find you need it - but im sure sure that we have options :-)