I have not yet met with the nutritionist, so tell me - when/how do you drink the protein if you are in the liquid or mushie phases? Do you use the shakes as meal replacements or as a part of your fluid intake, or both? Do you mix the protein powder with drinks, food, or both?

Each nut has a different plan, but, in general, the following applies:

During the liquid stages, if you're allowed to have shakes, they count toward your liquid requirements. During the mushie stage, they may not count toward your liquid requirements, meaning that you may have to wait 30 minutes after drinking a Protein shake to drink Water.

I mixed protein powder with milk, but I discovered that I was lactose intolerant after surgery. I also couldn't stand the sweet flavors, so I did lots of broth. Once I was on mushies, I used eggs and other soft foods to meet my protein goals. I've only recently started using protein powder again. I use it most often in my decaf coffee instead of creamer...and I like it.

You can mix protein powder with anything you like. There are several brands of unflavored powder out there..that doesn't mean they are tasteless, but they don't have the sweet flavor to them. unjury makes a chicken flavored powder that several people like. I haven't tried it yet.

I have a protein shake every morning since the liquid stage and I am 4 months out now. I use Syntrax Nectar (chocolate, strawberry mousse, vanilla bean torte) and mix 1 2/3 scoop with 1 cup of ice and 1 cup water and blend in a mixer. Yes, you normally use it as a meal replacement and my Nut says that it counts toward your liquid intake. Only certain protein powders are mixed with food. Unjury has an excellent Unflavored protein powder that you can add to any food and it's completely undetectable. Good luck!

Thanks for the replies. I have started to shop for some protein drinks and powders to stock up pre-surgery so I won't break the bank buying all at once. I've read that your taste may change after surgery, so I'm buying a variety. I figured that I may as well start taking in the extra protein/replacing meals pre-surgery so my body doesn't go into shock with the pre-op liquid diet.