Protein Shakes????

Pre op they were meal replacements for me. So post op are they considered a meal or part of water intake? 

My surgeon told me anything wet was considered water even coffee. Early out I would consider them a meal. Dont know much about the vsg though. I like van protien powder, ice, ff milk, 1tbsp peanut butter, sf torni choc sauce. There all I drink any more.

The fluid in them counts toward your fluid intake but you would be making a mistake in counting a 100-120 cal protein shake ( without any fruit) as a zero cal fluid.  Calories do eventually count.  You can have a few protein shakes a day early post-op and still lose weight at a steady rate.  I'd say to either count them as high protein snacks or mini meals.  Again, the fluid does count towards you fluid intake.

I've heard they are supplements...However, there are protein shakes out there that have all the necessary nutrients to be meal replacements....

I was told that once I left the liquid phase and went into purees, that I should drastically cut back the protein shakes because they are too calorie dense.  And it's still the mathematics of calories that causes us to lose weight - a deficit of 3500 calories equals one pound of weight loss.

I have four flavors of protein powders and have added them to various things - a glass of milk (usually chocolate), cottage cheese (chocolate or strawberry), kashi hot cereal (unflavored), s/f puddings (depends of flavor of pudding), and so forth.  If I do have an occasional shake for breakfast because it's quick and easy, I count it as my meal because of the number of calories involved.  If I have a glass of milk and add protein powder, I use it as a higher-calorie protein snack - and the milk still counts toward my 64 oz of fluid.

My NUT focuses on proteins and doesn't get into calorie counts.  However, figuring that I'm averaging 650-700 calories a day according to FitDay calculations, 8 oz of skim milk plus a scoop of protein powder packs in 28 g. of protein, but also about 180 calories, over 25% of my daily calorie intake.  That's without the other stuff that goes into the shakes.  So from my conversations and calculations, I would advise caution in how you use the shakes.

I was told have three meals a day and try and get 60-80 grams protein. If I can't get enough protein from the meals then to add a protein shake in between. So call it what you want just am to get your protein in. I wouldn't think that 100 cal from a shake will make that big of a differance as far as cals go. If you can't eat 3-4 oz of meat at one sitting how many calories are you really eatting. 

VSG perspective they count as both. They count towards your daily protein intake and water.

thanks all...Was gonna go back to shakes.  i am just trying to get off this stall.. Since my sides are shrinking doc is not worried.

They tell me to have 2 a day so i can get in my protein.