Question:
Do you count protein drinks as liquid or a meal or both?

Two weeks out and I'm on a pureed diet. I typically eat 6 times a day with a protein drink for one or two of those mini-meals. Can I count the protein drink as a meal and fluid? Do you still wait 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after a protein drink meal to drink other fluids?    — lauratiu (posted on October 16, 2008)

October 16, 2008
yes at your stage in recovery, the protein drink is a liquid and a meal. i am not sure which surgery you had, but my sis in law had a gastric bypass. anything you consume fills up your stomach and counts. if you try to drink water after a protein drink there is nowher for the fluid to go, but usually back out where it came from.
   — MNI

October 16, 2008
When I was at my two week post op appointment two weeks ago I was told by the nurse that most definitely feel free to use my protein as one of my meals. And yes, you still have to wait 30 to 60 minutes after that for more liquid. Congrats on your surgery :)
   — bicngillette

October 16, 2008
you best ask your doctor. heres what i was told. the protien drinks is a liquid and drink as much as possible. nothing was mentioned about it being a meal. liquids will go straight through. so it sounds like there are comflicting stories. i believe that we are kinda on our own sometimes, cause there is so much different stories.
   — peggy R.

October 16, 2008
It's both...it has protein/calories/nutrition making it a meal but it is liquid and a slider too...I learned (from a nutritionist) to wait 30 after protein shakes too...I still do
   — .Anita R.