Is it bad....

to have a protein shake as my breakfast or should I be eating a real meal? I had RNY on 5/25/09 and generally I am not a breakfast person. Before surgery I always had my morning cup of coffee and that was about it. After surgery I substituted the coffee for my protein shake. Will this hurt my weight loss by doing this?

Not at all.  You probably get more protein from your shake then you would for regular food.  Starting the day off with a big boost of protein is the RIGHT thing to do IMO.

I told my surgeon that I have never been one to eat breakfast and she said for me to make sure to drink my protein shake then.  So that is what I do for breakfast also. 
I still have my coffee also, but in a protein shake.  I mix instant coffee with my protein shake or I use the vanilla or chocolate protein shake in my coffee as my creamer.  It is so good.  But, I drink the Atkins shakes, so they are already mixed.

Good luck,
DeborahL.

I don't do a "regular" meal, either except I do have a little bit of cottage cheese so I can mix my powdered calcium citrate in it.  I always have a scoop to a scoop-and-a-half of protein mixed in my coffee and sip on that all morning and that holds me until lunch.  This way I don't have any carbs until lunch and I seem to do a lot better that way.

Sarah, funny you mention the no carbs til lunch.  I know that works best for me too; I just don't necessarily follow my lead to no carb/low carb a.m.

Protien shakes can really help.  I also put protien powder in some milk or soy milk and add it to decaf coffee.  I use protien powder every day.  My nut just prefers that I don't use it for more than one or two meals or snacks a day, and get the other protien from food.

I'm 2 years out and still drink a protein shake for breakfast 5 days a week.  The other 2 days I have a "western" brand bagel with peanut butter.