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First 2-3 days were definitely awful. I literally dreamt about food. I don't hate my Protein Shakes but I don't like how much I had to drink. I ended up making a lot of Soup and just adding GENEPRO flavorless Protein Powder in (60 calories w/ 30g of protein). That helped a ton. Though admittedly I was on a 2 wk pre-op liquid and 2 wk post-op liquid and I still can't stomach the idea of Soups anymore.

Thank you so much for the post. I'm female and a different age group but height/weight wise our stats match pretty well and I've felt very discouraged with my progress so far (over 2 weeks out, following the regiment but only lost 11lbs). I definitely understand your hunger vs food memories feeling. I'm still trying to figure out which is which since my food memories are still like heavy cravings which I thought was going to go away.
I really hope I'm able to show more progress like you did. You're doing awesome!

Thank you so much. I'm in the healthcare field and this was the first explanation I found that really seems to match what I'm actually feeling.
My surgeon does seem to know about the 3 week stall and she is very sweet but she is still relatively new to the field (though a lot of her colleagues seem to really like her and I love her too) so maybe as far as her patients go, most don't have issues until the 3rd week? I've been exploring the forums and online too and I have started to see a few 2 week stallers tho definitely more 3+ wks but the science does make me feel better so all I can do is keep pushing forward. Thank you!

Thank you so much for the post. I'm female and a different age group but height/weight wise our stats match pretty well and I've felt very discouraged with my progress so far (over 2 weeks out, following the regiment but only lost 11lbs). I definitely understand your hunger vs food memories feeling. I'm still trying to figure out which is which since my food memories are still like heavy cravings which I thought was going to go away.
I really hope I'm able to show more progress like you did. You're doing awesome!

I am in the SAME exact situation. I can drink a Premier Protein shake in about 15 minutes with 0 discomfort, and have to stop myself from doing just that. My nutritionist actually advised me to try really soft foods (such as oatmeal or scrambled eggs) and I was too chicken to try it until last night when I just could NOT sip another meal. I ended up eating turkey chili, had 3oz thinking I'll never finish this, and I did. Devoured the whole thing and had to force myself to do it over a 45 minute period. I could have gone for more! I am a little over 1 week post op, have not felt the restriction much, and am getting in 100oz of water and at LEAST 75g of Protein, usually closer to 90 each day.
The difference is my doctor is not concerned at all. Though it is not the norm, she says that she attributes my success to being super well hydrated and having a nicely shrunken liver day of surgery.
Meanwhile, I am bummed a bit by my success because the scale is like meh... don't feel like moving.

Here comes the science:


A "stall" a few weeks after surgery is not uncommon, and here's why.
Our bodies use glycogen for short term energy storage. Glycogen is not very soluble, but it is stored in our muscles for quick energy -- one pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs. of Water to keep it soluble, and the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs. So, when a patient is not getting in enough food, the body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. Then when 2 lbs. of glycogen is used a patient will also lose 8 lbs. of water that was used to store it -- voila -- the "easy" 10 lbs. that most people lose in the first week of a diet.
However, when the body stays in a caloric deficit state the body starts to realize that this is not a short-term problem. Then the body starts mobilizing fat from adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But the body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy. So, it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. As it puts back the 2 lbs. of glycogen into the muscle, 8 lbs. of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble. So, even though the patient might still be losing energy content to their body, the weight will not go down or it might even gain for a while as the retention of water dissolves the glycogen that is being reformed and stored.

two week post op I lost nothing, the third week here it was 30 lb loss. I had a lot of Fluid in my from the surgery , the Surgeon recommended no weighing yourself at least into the 3rd week, I see why. i agree with the other replies, stay hydrated and I dont know if this will help but my surgeon said, 6 weeks post op you are at risk of bursting/rupturing that new pouch. Dont eat until you feel full, just have 1/2 cup of food at a time and see how you do. He recommended more smaller amount of food during the entire day rather than getting too full at one time and stressing the pouch. Best of Luck ...keep us posted how you are doing

Thank you so much. I'm happy to hear at least one other person didn't feel the restriction as much as everyone else (I definitely feel it but I still have some appetite and I don't get any of the discomfort/pain other people get).
I will definitely up my Water. I don't have too hard a time getting it down versus because I eat 3-4 small meals a day and there's the buffer time between meals. Then I don't drink immediately after cause I'm full still and I'm scared I'm going to stretch out my stomach. Then the next meal is almost around the corner. The last reason is dumb and I know it but I weigh myself at night too (cause usually I have a pretty good idea of what I'll be in the morning) and I see that once again I won't be losing anything so I'm scared of even putting on water weight that'll cling on.
But yeah my Doctor was mostly supportive but the way she said "that's not normal" when I told her about the lack of restriction scares me so much.

I was weighed at a little less than two weeks post op, and had lost 14 pounds... then last weekend, five days after I’d lost those 14 pounds I got on a scale, even though I told myself I wouldn’t. Actually, TWO scales. One said I’d gained a pound and a half and the other said I’d lost .5 it has really messed with my head.... I’m hoping it’s just the stall people are talking about here, but I’m with you, it’s freaky. How is it possible to eat virtually nothing compared to life before, and not lose weight?!


HW 289
SW 262
CW ? (5/14= 248lbs)

VSG 5/2/18 [emoji92]
Kaiser, Ontario - Dr. Chin

Oops, one more thing. Do up your Water intake. That and getting enough Protein is exactly what will make the pounds start falling off.
I had a hard time with fluids at first too. Just find a zero calorie liquid that you really, really like. That will help you to get more in.

First off, take a deep breath. My journey started exactly as yours did. I could not feel restriction, could eat more than others, had a pretty good appetite and was worried because I didn't lose anything until the 3rd week.
I put on 11 pounds of Fluid in the hospital and I did lose that in the first two weeks. Keep sticking to your plan and the weight will come off! I can't even believe that your Dr was so discouraging about your loss. When exactly was the last time that you were able to lose 5 pounds per week?
Keep telling yourself that the rules of logic dictate that there is absolutely no way that you will not lose weight if you stick to the plan. Sadly, we can't lose it overnight but, the good news is that with our new tool losing it is very doable.
Hang in there!

You're doing just fine. Some people don't feel "true" restriction until they start solid foods. liquids and mushies can slide right through the sleeve. Wait until you eat your first egg or meat. You'll feel it.
The stall is utterly and completely normal and happens to 98% of us 2-6 weeks post op. It actually has a name...."The Dreaded 3 Week Stall". It mostly happens around week 3.
Try not to stress and concentrate on Protein and fluids. Stay off the scale for a month. You'll be pleasantly surprised when you get back on.

Thank you so much. I'm happy to hear at least one other person didn't feel the restriction as much as everyone else (I definitely feel it but I still have some appetite and I don't get any of the discomfort/pain other people get).
I will definitely up my Water. I don't have too hard a time getting it down versus because I eat 3-4 small meals a day and there's the buffer time between meals. Then I don't drink immediately after cause I'm full still and I'm scared I'm going to stretch out my stomach. Then the next meal is almost around the corner. The last reason is dumb and I know it but I weigh myself at night too (cause usually I have a pretty good idea of what I'll be in the morning) and I see that once again I won't be losing anything so I'm scared of even putting on water weight that'll cling on.
But yeah my Doctor was mostly supportive but the way she said "that's not normal" when I told her about the lack of restriction scares me so much.

I totally can relate. What they neglect to inform us before the surgery is that until you have a fill this really is a diet. I am following all the rules but being hungry is no fun .. I just focus on the weight loss and it helps . But I too get confused with the drinking .. Cause it's hot and I'm very active so if I drink alot it impacts when I can eat.. So in turn I'm not eating enough . I am only 2 and 1/2 weeks out .. First fill isn't till July 23 and nothing in my band at surgery. Hang in there!

Hi This is my first time posting in this forum so I'm a bit nervous but I really need help.
I am 2.5 weeks post op. In the first week I lost weight fast (357->350). During the first half of week 2 my weight loss slowed a lot (350->347). Now I'm stuck and even gaining back a little and I'm terrified because it feels way too early for me to be feeling like this.
I am currently on the soft food stage which I have done for the most part minus boiled chicken which I try to chew more. However in the last 3 days I've hit a big obstacle. I'm falling back into my old habits. It's summer and for a college student like me that means hanging out with friends which means eating all the time. I still eat much less than I used to but still more than I should be able to handle after surgery.
The last 3 days have been extremely hectic socially and I ended up forgetting to measure my food and count my calories and I did NOT chew properly. I'm eating much faster than normal and more than the 8oz I should be holding. I'm scared because I'm not feeling anything other than being full earlier. Otherwise: no choking, clogging, coughing, vomiting feelings, etc. I'm scared I may have stretched out my stomach or the band. The other REALLY bad thing I have been doing is chugging Water. It's over 110 degrees where I live and every chance I get I'm chugging Water. Including right before meals. I've just been too thirsty to sip the water and during the meals the food just makes me thirsty and I eventually gave into eating and drinking. In terms of actual food I'm eating probably 10-16 oz per meal + 1-2 glasses of water. And like I said, no extreme fullness at all. I don't think I've even been chewing them properly enough.
My doctor is out of town and I need help. Any tips on surviving heat and social activities without ruining my diet? And if I go back to the instructions will I be ok or is my band/stomach permanently stretched