My surgeon and NUT have told me that during the pre-op as well as post-op, NO protein powders or supplements, no matter how low-cal or low-fat. They said that they want protein to come from "real" foods, as they want me to eat in a "normal" routine, not off of shakes. I guess I understand what they are trying to say, but am worried after ready the timeline posts about people not being able to hit their protein goals without the supplemental protein(bars or shakes). Any advice? I will 100% follow my surgeons orders, just a little concerned, ESPECIALLY about hair loss(which I know is a very real side effect????)...

I have confirmed the diet with Both NUT's at the hospital as well as the surgeon. It's clear liquids, liquids, puréed, soft, then "real" foods. Adding powdered milk and powdered egg whites to milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. I trust my surgeon-he is a professor who teaches up-and-comers how to perform bariatric surgery, has years and years of experience with thousands of surgeries under his belt. It is a very recognized bariatric center of excellence. I would not enter into this lightly without doing my research-I have been looking into everything from every angle-positive and negative. I have been to support groups and spoken with SEVERAL of his previous patients who have had great success following the plan. I was just wondering if anyone else had similar instructions, not looking for negative comments about how my team is clueless. What works for one may not for another...

Well, powdered milk and powdered egg whites ARE protein supplements and added to milk sound an awful lot like protein shakes.

My surgeon specifically told us, with a shake in hand as an example, that he expected us to be able to drink three premier proteins a day the day after surgery in order to get enough protein.

I was encouraged to stop using shakes as soon as possible. I was also told that I needed to drink them until I was able to get protein from " real food". I hated them and only drank one per day. Within a few weeks I was getting 60 grams from food and stopped altogether at one month.