Buying protein powder

Ok, I am a little confused. I am reading over my papers from the hospital (Ottawa) and it appears I will only need protein shakes for days 3-7 then onto puree foods. I am currently stressing about finding some that don't make me gag but if I only need about a weeks worth that's not a big deal...right? Do some people stay on shakes longer? As a meal replacement or because they can't handle puree foods? I know tastes change after surgery but I need to have this stuff since I leave in a small community where there is no shopping and I live alone.

I think you need some clarification from your centre about the post-op diet. I can't imagine only having had protein shakes for only 3-7 days. In fact, I'm over 9 years post-op and I still drink a protein shake every single morning. Protein shakes aren't intended to be a meal replacement after the first month or so, they're simply part of your daily "food plan". When you start pureed, soft foods, etc. you'll just have to take it slow and see what you can tolerate - some take longer to move through the stages and that's perfectly okay too.

I have a protein shake every morning for breakfast as well, they're just a part of my overall routine now. Which works because I never ate breakfast before.

The way things are written from my centre are a little confusing. Maybe because I write for a living, but I was very frustrated with the ambiguity. After clarification,mthey mean that as you progress to more advanced foods you can still maintain the previous foods in your diet. Protein shakes are kind of important because it's a highly concentrated form of protein (more protein in a smaller amount of volume). 

Maybe your centre is like mine and just suck at writing instructions. Just ask.

i have also seen people post that their taste changes post-op. That doesn't do any good for planning ahead, but I would have two kinds on hand that you can tolerate. If you know others in your area going through this, maybe suggest setting up a protein shake swap. In hindsight, getting together and sampling brands as a group would have been way more economical than buying gigantic tubs of powder to find they make me puke.

I would buy the ready to drink shakes ( GNC, Premier Protein, Atkins, Boost )  If you buy vanilla you can add coffee crystals, Crystal light or other water flavourings, cocoa.  Mix it up and put it over ice for an iced coffee, or smoothie.  They are a lot easier to get down when they are iced.  Hope this helps.

I just had surgery on Wed at Guelph. They suggest buying powder milk and adding 2 tblspoons to your soups or other food items. no need to buy protein shakes especially if you don't like them or are unavailable in your area.