Its late, so i'll make a quick note.
IMO Protein powders work, BUT they are a supplement!! They should complement your diet. As a rule of thumb you want to ingest 1.5 - 2Grams of protein for each KG of body weight which if you are a "decent" size can be hard to do.
I used to be an athlete to a high standard and had to get everything right! Training combined with a busy schedule made protein powders & meal replacement drinks a vital asset.

I ALWAYS have a shake within 30mins of a work out. It is recommend you take one before but I find it can sit on my stomach before Thai Boxing (plus I take mine with milk.
I'm 95Kg and have a shake make from 25gs - 40gs of protein in a shake.
More isn't always better, its just excess calories & additional work for the body (+ a waste of money)
As for bloating & wind....... Try letting it settle for a min or 2 before you drink it, when you shake it to mix it you introduce a lot of air into it!!! I have cut down my gas quite a lot by doing this.

If you can get all your protein from varied sources then lucky you (although I would still add that a good Whey Protein is ingested quickly into the system making it available to the body ASAP. I suggest a different protein source each meal of you can (Egg white, Chicken, Turkey, Beef, Whey powder, ect)

Hope this is of some help....... sorry you any spelling or errors in grammar!

P.