Protein shakes are very hard on the kidneys. Beware of them, use them carefully and sparingly. If the protein is mostly from brown rice, as the newer products are, then you're basically okay. If it's from other sources, especially soy or dairy, not so great. :(

It's best to make your own protein shaks out of eggs if you aren't afraid of eating raw eggs. You can mix them with rice milk (or lowfat regular milk), lecithin, cinamon, and olive oil or flax seed oil. Proteins need oil for energy.

I try to eat something very plain like hot cereal with non-fat milk. That gives me plentyo f fiber, which is great to help push out the stones through the colon.

Flat on back or on right side for the first 30 minutes, I've tried both and doesn't seem to matter. One thing you can do that is helpful is massage the abdomen. Reach under your ribs on the right side and press down.

ES is easier to drink when cold and mixed with apple juice instead of water. Also, keep some hard peppermint candy around to suck on after you take in the olive oil. It helps to settle the stomach, cures queeziness, all that good stuff. :)

Hope that helps! :)