Search the Community

We’ve all had the 2-3 week stall. U can eat again andnpurees go down easier and u can drink / eat more . It’s normal. I found that u can get through the stall if U kick up ur exercise and break a sweat with brisk walking or spinning or something that gets ur heart rate up. And just watch the calories, carbs and protein grams . Keep to 600 calories and over 60 gnofnprotein and under 50g of carb. Get in ur 64 oz of liquid. It will break , only weigh urself once a week

When I saw my surgeon 4 weeks post op his recommendation was 500 calories a day give or take with never more than a thousand. I personally range between 450 and 550. I have no difficulty getting my fluids in as I have always been a heavy drinker :-). I gave up coffee prior to surgery because caffeine is dehydrating and couldn't stand the taste of it for the first few weeks. Ended up at Starbucks and had a Cup and it was nirvana so will allow myself an occasional treat but not at home. I love constant comment tea and the decaf, unlike decaf coffee, doesn't taste any different to me. But I have to drink so slowly that I am constantly reheating the same cup about 3 times. I have a cupboard full of insulated mugs but I am attached to my favorite cup. Guess I'm burning a few extra calories every time I have to get up and head to the kitchen to reheat it. Anyway, I hit the dreaded 3 weeks stall and freaked out until I read about it here. Yesterday, I gained a pound and then another pound today. If it weren't for this site I would probably be driving my doctors nurse crazy. I have learned so much and it is keeping me grounded. I know I am meeting my protein and water requirements and keeping my calories down so as my surgeon said... You WILL lose weight. You can't NOT. So maybe it's not coming off as fast as I would like but I didn't get here overnight and I am slowly learning to trust in my sleeve. I hope that in time I can offer as much support to others as you all have to me so far

Congrats at you lost! You to honeybee! Both of you are doing great. I hope at six months I can feel as happy. 3 week stall hanging on for two weeks now.

Is anyone else on a 3 week stall? I know its normal but frustrating

I bought a knock-off of a bullet at Aldis for $18 and its awesome. Works great for blending 1-2 cups of food at a time. Sleeved 12/11 and on puree now. Initially lost 22lbs but at the 3 week stall now.

Hi All. I was sleeved June 11th, 8 weeks and down a total of 35 including 2 week pre-op. I hit the dreaded 3 week stall and have hit another stall that has lasted 2 weeks. I have upped protein, added a few more carbs & nothing!!!! I am doing 30 minutes of cardio and 30 mins of weights 4 days a week. I just don't understand how we can stall so much with as little as we are eating and burning calories. Oh well, don't have a choice but to wait it out. Good Luck to everyone. Love reading your posts

Congrats. 37 lbs. That's amazing. I'm in the 3 week stall. The weight and other tickers are under your account profile. Go all the way to the very top of the screen, it is in the upper right. It should say something like "Hello jelmore8312000". Click on that and it will offer you a menu. One item on the drop down mean is "My Tickers". That's where you can pick and choose the kind of ticker you want, the little scenes and icons you want to use, and input your data as it changes.

Sorry for the novel folks, but maybe before getting to tips and tricks, let's talk a bit about what causes plateaus: First, the most common reason for any stall, including the dreaded 3-week stall is simply that you are retaining more water. There are a few reasons this happens, but around the 3-week mark it comes down to the fact that your body is adjusting to a low carb intake after converting from glycogen to ketones for energy. More water is needed to burn glycogen, so you were retaining more water pre-surgery than you are now that you're using primarily ketones for energy. At about the 3-week mark, your body eventually recognizes that the water loss is long term, so other mechanisms have started kicking in to start holding on to more water. This water loss due to the change between glycogen and ketones is the primary reason for "keto flu", and something that increases your risk of dehydration early after surgery. The other "reasons" for plateaus really don't apply as much at the 3 week mark, but will become more important later in the process. Let's cover those too though so you're prepared: As you lose more weight, your overall metabolic rate will slow down. People sometimes think fat is not metabolically active, but that's not true. Less fat means your metabolism slows down, even if you retain the same amount of muscle. As you lose weight, it takes less effort to move, so the amount of calories you burn from activity also drops quite a bit. As you progress, you'll be able to eat more and especially if you're not tracking intake closely by weighing and measuring your food, you can easily be eating a lot more than you think. This one may be TMI for some, but you may simply be retaining more stool. This is going to be hard for some people to hear, but I can tell you one thing it's not, and that's hormones. Yes, various hormonal processes negatively impact weight loss in a myriad of ways, but they don't overcome basic physics: if you eat less than you are burning, you'll lose weight. What these hormones can do if they're out of whack, is not good things like slowing your metabolism, increasing your hunger, screwing with water weight, or even fooling you into thinking you're eating less than you are. So, with all that sciency stuff out of the way, what do we actually do if we're in a stall? Well, I think it depends on when it happens and how long it lasts: If it's early (a.k.a. the 3-week stall), just keep doing what you're doing and you should be fine. I know people don't like that advice, but as I said, it's just water, so don't worry about it. Later on, especially if the stall is lasting longer than 2-3 weeks. that's when I think it's important that you look closely at what you are actually burning, as well as really tracking what you are eating. If you don't know your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate), you should. The closer you are to goal, the harder it is to get the balance right between intake and output to make sure you're not eating too much, so fixing this starts with knowing your BMR and accurate food logging. There's a lot of anecdotal advice thrown around about "ways to break a stall", but there seems to be little scientific evidence for any of it. Most of it certainly won't hurt to try, e.g. breaking up your routine in terms of diet or exercise, but just understand that this change may or may not have had any impact. If it makes you feel better to be proactive, go for it. Longer term, there is one piece of solid advice that's backed up by lots of research: Even if you don't really like working out, do it anyway. Those WLS patients that make a regular habit of exercising for 45 minutes to an hour most days a week are significantly more likely to reach their goal and maintain the weight loss. (One caveat here: significantly changing your exercise routine can make you retain water and possibly even add muscle, so don't freak out if you see a stall or even a gain.) I'll take that exercise advice one step further and say you really should be doing some form of strength training. This is also backed up by lots of studies, but the great thing about strength training is that it makes your burn more calories even at rest (in other words, it increases your metabolic rate). There are lots of other benefits, but the metabolic benefit is the most germaine to the stall question. Those that do strength training are less likely to stall during weight loss.

Hi!! I was sleeved on the 15th of November. I weighed in at 311 and I am at 293 and have been there for about a week. I think I am at that 3 week stall too. I hope that more weight lose will come soon. good luck every one!!!!'

My surgery was 9/19 so I'm five weeks out too. I feel like the rest of you not enjoying food. I miss the flavor really. The 3 week stall has lasted 3 weeks too. I'm so close to onederland and cant get to it. Beyond frustrated. My dr is releasing me to work out on nov. 4th and I cant wait. Hopefully that will help. That burrito bowl from chipotle does sound good to try.

It is a stall!!! That is the good news! 3 women in my family have been sleeved and all 3 have stalled 1-3 weeks out for 2-5 weeks! I was a revision from a band and I stalled at 1 week for 2 more weeks. I have since lost 10 lbs in 8 days once my stall stopped! Both sisters have been successful with the sleeve. 150 lbs and 70 lbs lost by each. You may double check and look at your calories. Once I started eating more Protein and veggies (I was on any an all foods at 3 weeks!) and exercising (which you are already doing!!) then I dropped it! Keep on going. If you are following what the dr says with food, Water, protein, exercise, then you should be golden. Research the "3 week stall" because it is supposedly a thing. It has happened with 3 out of 3 sleeves in my house! Good luck! You have got this! Banded 2010 weight:327 Sleeved 12/28/16 weight:253 CW: 230 GW: 155 Heather in Texas

I am really just focusing on getting all my fluids in. I do a lot of crystal light with water. I have been struggling with the protein piece of it. The premier protein shakes make me sick to my stomach. I try to get 1 shake in and make up the rest of the protein with Greek yogurt. As far as exercise I am not doing anything more than walking my dog in our neighborhood. I wouldn’t stress about being stuck I’ve heard that the 3-week stall is very common.

You can certainly request the sleeve. But I concur with the others that say be open to listening to your surgeon if he recommends a DS or bypass. Make sure he provides sound medical reasons for that recommendation and if you still aren't comfortable get a second opinion. I think everyone should have evaluations by multiple programs if they have a few good programs that are a reasonable distance. I went to one just over an hour away since I was more comfortable with that surgeon and practice. You need to find the program that will best support you in the way that you need to be supported not the way I need to be supported. Even if you insurance does not require a pre-approval diet or a psych visit I recommend that you have the psych visit. I also recommend going to a nutritionist that you can build a relationship with that can prepare you for the eating changes specific for a bariatric patient. That NUT may be part of the bariatric practice or it may be a different individual. I think that starting to make the changes in eating prior to the actual surgery makes having the surgery and resulting changes less of a shock and less traumatic. I weaned off of caffeine and soda 1 month before my surgery. This way I wasn't going through caffeine withdrawal during my 10 day pre-surgery liquid diet phase. I even started easing into that diet about a week early and going replaced a few of my meals with the Protein shake. This way when I did go to the all liquid diet for the 10 days it wasn't as hard. I personally feel there is a correlation on this board between the people that don't know what to eat after surgery, are surprised about the 3 week stall, are surprised about what to expect after surgery for their restrictions for the rest of their lives are those that went to the evaluation and suddenly 1 month later have surgery. I think that when you get the approval so quickly you don't have time to go to pre-op support groups, you don't have time to research realistic real-life expectations post op. My insurance made me do the 6 month medically supervised diet. It was not the worst thing. It gave me time to really do my research. It gave me time to internalize the life-long changes I need to make to my diet and exercise to succeed.

After 3 weeks of weight stall the scale finally moved some. I think the exercise specialist pointed out a flaw. I would eat something 2 hours before working out, she told me to eat something with a good protein and carb mix 20-30 minutes before my workout. also told me to drink a protein shake after the workout. I've done that the past two weeks. After a 3 week stall I'm not certain if it was that little change or the fact that it was going to have to move anyway. But, at least it moved. Hope everyone else has some scale or non-scale victories.

How long did your 3 week stall last? Hi folks, so I'm going on day 6 of my Stall. that started smack between week 3 and 4. I know about them, I've read about them, so I don't want to get hang up on them as I know it causes angst, depression and anxiety, and who needs that right? So I'm mentally working on embracing the stall and pushing through it as part of the process without resentment, cuz the way I see it...I have to stick to the plan either way. I can either make the journey happy, or miserable if I become a Scale Slave. But knowleage is power and I find myself in need of some power, so wondering how long your 3 week stalls lasted, and if you are still in the middle of your stall, how are you getting through it mentally?

I have a question. Bypass on 8/29/18 beginning week 4 and haven’t lost any weight in 4 days. Soooo is this the 3 week stall I’ve heard about is anyone else going through this right now from August surgeries? Yikes. I’ve up my water to 75 oz a day. Calories are at 650 70% protein 20 carbs 10 fat

I'm not trying to be a butthead, but these types of responses are so discouraging. I also posted about a 3 week stall and got a similar response and it sucked to hear that. I don't have a huge support system and this forum is the best that I have for now. Please be mindful of what you're posting to new people/people who just had surgery.

hey everyone. i had gastric bypass on march 3rd. I noticed that ever since surgery, every 3rd week I would stop losing weight for an entire week and then it would start dropping again. I am down 40 lbs so far but the last 3 weeks I havent lost a thing. Is this normal? I am getting nervous that Im doing something wrong

Hello fellow August WLS patients! I had mine on the 21st..no one told me my entire stomach would be a solid black bruise and after one month is finally showing signs of abating. I have hit the dreaded "3 week stall" going on 10 days of a pound here and a pound there along with major fatigue. I just keep telling myself it will all be worth it - my new life long mantra! Good luck everyone!

I think my 3 week stall has begun...I was losing 1lb/day, then lost 3 Friday and the scale hasn't budged since. I'm writing down everything that goes in my mouth, so I know it's not something I'm doing but it was fun watching the weight go down vs seeing the same number. I'm betting on 5 days then I'm back being a loser! Happy Sunday, everyone! And Maggie, are you ok? I've been wondering...

Anyone still on that 3 week stall? I don't believe I eat more then 1200 cal a day. And it's mostly Protein. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had my vsg June 23rd. 349 starting weight, 319 at surgery, currently 299. Boy it's great not looking at that 3 at the front of the scale... never again! I have been stuck at 299 for about 6 days but I understand the "3 week stall" is quite common... Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

The 3 week stall has nothing to do with needing to up your calories, so drinking a milkshake did not break the stall. You drank a milkshake....and the stall happened to break, the 2 things are not related. The 3 week stall breaks when your glycogen stores are replenished, and not before.

I stalled for a few weeks!! It was frustrating. But it passes. Just keep doing what u are supposed to do. This week 5 pounds just disappeared but in my 3 week stall I lost like 1-2. Lol it's your body adjusting, all normal.

Oh I had similar ones. One of the reasons our bodies hold onto the weight and we needed this surgery. My PCP said that 80% of her fenale patients she referred for WLS had period issues similar to mine. And the bariatric surgeon said the surgery and weight loss would fix it. We shall see. I am doing alright. Losing slowly but surely and hoping for no 3 week stall! I am in week 3 now! Well, the beginning of it. I am out of the 400's and that will be forever!