McButterpants

What great success! Congrats and thanks for sharing your story!

I'm in a stall right now - it sucks, I know. Don't panic. It's your body's way of protecting itself because it didn't know what you did to it. Butterthebean has a great link to information on stalls on his signature - I'll paste it below. Just continue to follow your plan, exercise and listen to what your doctor has to say. This will pass and you'll be on your way! Just be kind to your body - it's been thru a lot. Please read this. This is what's going on. There's nothing you need to do except stick with the program and keep faith that this is part of the process. " Weight Loss Stall or Plateau A weight loss stall or plateau is an extended period of time during reducing efforts where is there is no weight loss according to the scale and no loss of inches according to the tape measure. This is why it is so important to take your body measurements before surgery, so you'll have a reference as your weight loss progresses post-op. We suggest you take measurements of your chest, waist and hip, neck, upper arm, thigh and calf. Be aware it is very common for your weight loss to "stall" shortly after surgery. Diana explains the reason for this below. The Inevitable Stall By Diana C. A "stall" a few weeks out is inevitable, 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 you are not getting in enough food, your body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. And when you use up 2 lbs of glycogen, you 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. As you stay in caloric deficit, however, your body starts to realize that this is not a short term problem. You start mobilizing fat from your adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But your body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy -- like, to outrun a saber tooth tiger. So, it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. And 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 you might still be LOSING energy content to your body, your weight will not go down or you might even GAIN for a while as you retain water to dissolve the glycogen that is being reformed and stored. Breathe, and fuggedaboudit for a few days. What You Can Do About a Stall or Plateau If you are experiencing a post-op weight loss stall or plateau further out there are a few possible causes. First, check that are you really in a stall. If the scale has stopped moving you may be losing inches, so check your measurements. Too Many Carbs? Carbohydrates can start sneaking into your foods without you being aware of how quickly they are adding up. For more information on carbs, see our section on Carbohydrates. If you are struggling with your weight loss you may want to examine your daily carb count. You can try to keep your carbs under 50g a day and see if that makes a difference in your weight loss. Do not eat carbs before bedtime as it triggers insulin and initiates fat storage. There are some great web site resources you can use to keep track of what you are eating. Fit Day Spark People - If you join Spark People also join the DS group. The Daily Plate Calorie King For more tips on keeping a food journal see the Personal Nutrition Guide. Eating Enough? If you are under-eating or go more than 4-5 hours without eating, your body will shift into fasting mode, slow your metabolism and conserve your stored energy (fat). This can contribute to a weight loss stall or plateau. Make sure you are eating small meals or small Snacks throughout the day and also ensure you meet your daily Protein requirements. Try eating some protein with every meal or snack. For more information on protein requirements see our section on Protein. Drinking Enough? An adequate level of water in your body aids in the effective breakdown of fat. The daily minimum recommendation is 64 Fluid oz of water a day. If you are in ketosis you will need to drink even more water to ensure the ketones are flushed out of your system. You may also need more than the minimum amount of water if you are exercising or live in a warmer or dry environment. Exercising? Exercise can increase your metabolism and burn fat. Strength training will build muscles and will boost fat burning. In a stall you can try increasing your volume of exercise or changing up your routine to overcome a weight loss stall or plateau. If you have been doing mainly aerobic activity, try doing a bit of strength training, and if you have been doing mainly strength training, try an aerobic work-out. The High Fat - High Calorie Stall Buster Many DSers swear by the fat/calorie shock as an effective weight loss stall or plateau buster. Having a day of higher fat and calorie eating followed by a returning to consistent low carb eating can sometimes "shock" your body back into weight loss mode."

Wow - great story. Congrats on your success!

Purple - wow look at the success you have had! That is awesome. You're one week behind me on your surgery date - I was 11/14. Seems like a long time ago and it was only a little over 3 weeks ago for me. I love the article that Butter posted - it's great information. Did you take your measurements? I took mine before surgery, but haven't checked them since. I should...I'm almost afraid though - like when I put on my jeans, I'm worried they aren't going to fit for some reason (I think because I wore them for so long and that was the feeling every time I put them on before surgery). Weird. At any rate - hang in there. You're doing great!!!!!

Congrats on hitting Onderland. You're averaging 3.7 pounds a week - I think that's fantastic! Keep up the good work. I think we get hung up on comparing ourselves to others - no good can come from that. You're body is going to lose this weight at it's own pace and often times it's not as fast as our brains would like it to. As long as you're following your plan, listening to your doctor and exercising - it will come off. Enjoy your success - that's 26 pounds gone forever. Never to be heard from again! Hang in there, sweetie. You got this.

2.6 miles on the treadmill today - I'm getting faster and I'm increasing the incline and I can see more calories burning. I had a total Pity Party Poopy day yesterday - poopy because I'm in this stall. This morning I woke up and remembered, "Nothing good comes out of being negative." I can feel a difference between yesterday and today - not only do I feel better physically, but I feel better mentally, much more positive. Month to date I'm at 14.5 miles to my 50 mile goal.

Cathy & Alisa, As I said in my original post, it's just the body needing to figure things out. You have to just stick to your plan and your body will catch up. I think that's what I have to do to get thru this. And knowing others have gone thru this and you see their success - that helps, too. But, you wouldn't have guessed I had that great knowledge yesterday as I had a big pity party for myself...I didn't go to the gym as planned, I didn't get my 80 grams of Protein in and I wasn't close on the Water. And you know what? I felt like crap. I was tired and lethargic. I had a bad attitude. So, today is a new day and I'm going to play by the rules. I need to in order to feel human again. I'm going to eat my three meals, I'm going to drink my 3 shakes (OMG, the shakes are getting old),I'm going to drink my water and I'm going to go to the gym for a nice long treadmill workout. I hope you guys have a great Sunday! Let me know how you're doing!

I'm sorry that happened to you. I wish I had the answer for you, but I don't. I wish I had words of wisdom to help you, but I don't. All I can give you is my support - I want things to be better for you; you deserve better than this. You are a fighter. My hope is that today is a better day than yesterday and that tomorrow will be even better.

((hugs))

I relinquished control of the scale to my husband a couple of weeks ago. I was weighing myself daily (in all honesty, sometimes more than once per day). This was shortly after surgery and I was losing a lot very quickly. Then one day I was "only" down .5 pounds and I panicked. Looking back, it's silly, but the emotion was very real. I thought about that stupid 1/2 pound all day. I blogged about it. I calculated my weight since surgery, my weight since the beginning, etc. I really wondered what was wrong with me. When my husband told me he was taking the scale, I freaked at first, then I realized how freeing it was. He brings the scale out once per week on Thursdays. I'm considering what Butter suggests above and waiting two weeks before I weigh again. At the end of the day what can I really do about it? I'm going to eat to the plan my doctor prescribes and I am going to exercise - those are the things I can control. I can't control the scale or my body's reaction to what's going on. My suggestion to you is, if you stress about the scale and every little up and down, don't weigh every day. Do what's right for you and your sanity!!!! Good luck - don't be scared. Just be as prepared as you can be! :-)

Yeah, it's frustrating, but it is what it is. I'm trying not to stress about it. I've read enough posts on this forum to know it's temporary and it's going to be no different for you or for me. We just have to hang in there. Best of luck to you - we're about a week apart. We're just at the beginning of this journey!!!!! :-) Take good care.

Wow - This is such a personal subject - be prepared to get answers that run the spectrum. Lots of people feel very passionately about what they are doing. I told 5 people...My husband, my son, my parents and best friend. That's it. Someday I may end up telling others, but not right now. I'm a very private person and I live in a small community. I've heard how people in my social circle (I wouldn't necessarily call them my friends, but people I have to deal with) talk about others behind their backs. I just didn't have the energy to deal with people who have nothing better to do than chew the fat about what is going on in my life. Do what's right for you and what you're comfortable with. Good luck!!!!

Take some Metamucil and you'll get there in no time!!!! LOL - just kidding. OMG - .8 pounds from goal. That is awesome. Congrats on your success - you will to your goal, soon.

Hi, Susan. We have very similar stories...I was sleeved on 11/14. I'm at the dreaded stall and it's messin' with my noggin! I'm trying to stay positive and just keep on keepin' on - I'm following my plan and exercising and trying to stay positive. Hang in there - we got this!!!!! Have a good weekend!

Congrats! Thanks for sharing your before and afters! Wishing you continued success!

2.5 miles today on the treadmill in the same amount of time it took me to walk 2 earlier this week. It also helped clear my head a little about my 3 week stall. It's amazing what putting on the head phones and listening to CeeLo Green's "Fu*& You" song will do!!!! I'm at 11.9 miles to my 50 mile goal.

Hey, Fluff. I hope your trip went well, I remember you posting about it! Yeah, weighing every day for me, just doesn't work. The scale and I have a love/hate relationship. Not weighing the past week we freeing for me, even though when I got on yesterday and didn't see the change I wanted. I need to take my measurements again - I think that will show a big difference. As I speak, my yoga pants are drooping a little (I won't be able to wear them to the gym because they'd fall off - not something no one wants to witness!!!). Thanks for your thoughts. I appreciate it.

Butter, so true!!!! My husband has been hiding the scale from me - I only get to weigh once per week (this was after an incident when I "only" lost .5 pounds right after surgery...yeah, another story for another day). I might take your advice on putting it away for a couple of weeks. As always, thanks for your insight.

I agree with Butter - he is always spot on. I just posted about my 3-week stall dilemma - I was sleeved the day after you, so I'm going thru it as well. While I haven't gained, I'm stalled and that's a tough pill to swallow. Are you tracking what you're eating - Protein, carbs and fat? I use my fitbit app and it really helped when I introduced puree foods into my diet. Though my plan allowed for oatmeal, 1/4 cup contains 13 carbs. Carbs aren't necessarily evil, but you need to look at them as a whole for the day. I also was eating fat-free refried Beans which are also on my plan, but carb-heavy. I was eating them because they were easy on my stomach. I have since put down the beans and have opted for turkey or chicken which my stomach can handle easily now. Making sure you're getting enough Water is important as Butter stated above. It's tough, I know, but you need to sip all day. I realized last night when I woke up and it felt like someone put glue in my mouth, that I'm not getting in enough. I have my bottle sitting right next to my computer as a constant reminder. And finally, walking or moving your body. See if you can take little walks thru the day on your non-school days. You'll find that you will be able to add a little each walk very easily. Moving your body is not only for exercise, but will help your body recover. You're still recovering from major surgery! Lastly, don't get down on yourself. Hang in there. This will pass - it sucks now, but it will pass. I think most of us worry that we're going to be the one person that this surgery won't work...But, if you put in the effort and do what you're supposed to do, your body will do what it's supposed to do. Your body is just trying to figure out what you did to it and why there isn't copious amounts of calories like there was a month ago. It will figure it out - sometimes not on the same timeframe that your brain wants it to. Be good to yourself and hang in there! Sending much love and support your way.

I’m in the dreaded three-week stall and it sucks. I knew this was coming. I knew it was going to happen. I thought I even prepared myself for it. I have preached to others that it’s not big deal. That it’s your body saying, “Whoa, what the hell did you do to me?” and, “Your body needs to figure it out before it loses more weight.” I know all that, but it doesn’t make it suck any less and it doesn’t make me any less pissed off. There, I said it. I’m pissed off. I said it again. Rationally, it makes sense. My body is wondering if it’s a time of famine, so it’s not going to allow it’s self to lose any more weight until figures out that this is the new normal. This may take some time – I’m in a Facebook group where some people who had their sleeve operation in November stalled for three weeks. That’s a major blow to my already fragile psyche! After years of yo-yo dieting, when you don’t see the scale move, that when you find the donuts, or bread, or Cookies or (insert vise here). That is not an option. Eating a donut or other off-plan food will not only make me sick, even worse, it could damage my sleeve. It’s also not an option because I must be accountable for my actions. I need to be an adult. I will add that accountability and being an adult sucks, too! :-) So, I am writing this post as much for me as for anyone that reads it. The three-week stall will most likely happen. Try to prepare yourself for it, but know that no matter how much you prepare for it, it’s still going to be difficult when you go through it. What am I going to do about it? I’m going to keep on keepin’ on. That’s all I can do. I am going to stick to my plan – 3 meals and 3 shakes per day with 80-90 grams of protein; just as the doctor ordered. I’m going to continue going to the gym and walking on the treadmill. These are the two things that are going to help me achieve my goals. I cannot lose sight of that. I also know that this is temporary. My rational mind knows the arithmetic behind calories in vs. calories out. I’m consuming 600-800 calories a day right now and I’m burning about 250 on the treadmill daily. That formula will equal weight loss as soon as my body realizes we’re going to be OK. I just wish my body knows what my brain does!

My month to date update...still walking because that's all I'm allowed to do! Ugh. 9.5 miles towards my 50 mile goal. I increased the incline more today.

"Hey, your a$$ is getting smaller!" in such a manner that it's not really a comment but more of a testament to how big your a$$ was pre-op!

Oh boy, if I had a dollar for every time I thought, "Oh my god, what am I doing to my body!" I'd be rich. I even went so far in one moment of weakness to sit down and write down the pro's and con's to the surgery. Of course, I knew them in my brain, but seeing them written down helped me. My dear mother is obese and has been her adult life - I can see down the path and I will be just like her if I didn't do something about it and I wasn't doing it on my own. My primary care doctor said in order for me to lose weight I would have to restrict and exercise to a point that isn't sustainable over a long period of time. So that was my answer - I wasn't going to do it on my own, I needed help. I was pretty sure I wanted the band, but realized there are too many issues with it - the sleeve was the way to go for me. You will know what to do - you will feel it in your heart. I know that this was the right decision for me. You will, too. Just listen to your inner voice - it's almost always right! I wish you good luck. You're less than two weeks away from your date!!!! It's exciting and scary, I know. Take good care.

Thanks, RJ. It means a lot! You know I have great admiration for you and your journey's ups and downs. I hit a stall last week - I'm "only" down 1.8 pounds from last Thursday. And while I knew this was going to happen and I've preached to others that it's all part of the process, it really stinks. I'm trying to keep a positive attitude and trying to not let it get to me, but man, it's hard. My husband said, "I'm glad you only lost 1.8 pounds last week, you were losing too fast." I hadn't even discussed with him the three week stall. When I explained it to him he was like, "See that's what I'm talking about. Your body needs to figure out what's going on." My rational brain says that's true and I agree...it just hit my a spirit a little bit. But, I'm brushing myself off...I'm heading over to the gym in about 30 minutes (letting the car warm up - it's -15 degrees here today). I'm going to turn the music on loud and get in a good walk on the treadmill. Thanks again for your posting - I really do enjoy your perspective on things!!!! I hope you are well.

I can't do caffeine at least until the end of December. And it's more than the caff vs. decaff...it's my enjoyment of coffee that I'm missing. Sitting down at Starbucks with a carmel macchiato and reading the paper or having a piping hot cup of joe with breakfast. Or grabbing a cup when I go into a meeting. At any rate, I will continue down my path with my decaf in an insulated cup sip, sip, sipping away.