Is it unrealistic, at 4 weeks post-op to expect to get the majority of your Protein from food rather than shakes? I am really struggling to get more than 40 gms from food and all I ever eat is protein. Last couple of days, I've been doing one shake a day but it's just really not making the grade and I'm missing the protein quota of 80 gms.

What's a realistic timeframe to give up the shakes?

Protein drinks do not fill me up at 13 months like they used to at 1 month. Unfortunately, that is just a natural consequence of the stomach healing up. The exception is my casein protein drink at bedtime because I make it very thick, like a pudding or even paste, by increasing the protein to between 50-60 g for 10-12 ounces of water. One strategy I have when hunger strikes is to eat a protein stick or something that is lean protein and about 1-2 ounces. I never have a problem with calories when eating protein to satisfy hunger, even if every 2 hours. Sometimes even 1 hour after last " meal." I eat to fuel. If I am hungry, I am going to eat to fuel the metabolism and stay anabolic.

Protein shakes fill me up for at least 2-3 hours, and right now, I eat pretty much every 3 hours anyway so that works out well.

When I was pre-op, I used to use a lot of liquid in them and stayed full that way. I probably used 8 oz of soy/almond milk plus half a cup to a cup of ice and that's a lot to drink. Now, since its difficult to consume too much, I use only 4 oz of liquid in them.

Perhaps you should try increasing the overall volume with more fluids and see if that helps? Ground flax seed should also help with Fiber and fullness, not to mention omega-3. We used to do that all the time, but haven't lately.

I just found Greek Style Cottage cheese by Kemps with 19 grams of Protein. It comes in the small containers like the yogurt. It's thick and creamy. Very good surprisingly and a nice change.

Wow! That's sounds awesome. I'm in souther Cali. Where can I buy it??

I still drink a Premier shake for breakfast every day at almost 4 months out. I'm never hungry in the morning for "real food", plus I like the Premier shakes

I will be 6 months on the 18th and sometimes I have 1-2 shakes a day it depends.