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You are not doing anything wrong. The three week stall is extremely normal. There are many, many discussions about it throughout the forum. I had a stall at one week post-op that lasted for 10 days. Next thing I knew it broke and I lost 11 pounds in the following 2 weeks. Every so often your body has to take a break and recovery from the quick weight loss and then it will start up again. This might be the first but it won't be the last. During a stall try to look for non-scale victories. I noticed that my body shrank a bit during my stall. Keep working the plan your surgeon has given you and things will work. In the general surgery section there is a food forum for recipes broken down by the stage you are in. Check those out for some savory protein options and ideas. I would also suggest to weigh once a week. The daily fluctuations are going to drive you mad. Hang in there. You are doing great. It's kind of like Dory in Finding Nemo - "Just keep swimming". You are going to get there!

Thanks for sharing! I recently had my six week evaluation and so far I’ve lost 12 kilos or 26 pounds after surgery, so I’m pretty much on track for my starting weight. Yes, the stalls can be very frustrating and I had one for almost three weeks in the beginning of this month. But then the number on the scale started moving again. I still vomit sometimes, especially after dinner, no matter how careful I try to be. Happened tonight. So that’s my biggest problem, still.

almost everyone experiences the infamous "three week stall" (the first major stall you hit, was is usually sometime during the first month or so after surgery. It's USUALLY the third week, hence the name). If you do a search of this site of the "three week stall", you will find over 17,000 posts on it (and no, I am NOT kidding)). You will likely hit several of these stalls along your journey. When you hit one, just stick to your program and stay off the scale for a few days - and know that the stall WILL break, and you'll be on your way again. and yes - weight loss rate falls off a lot after the first few weeks because most of that initial drop is water. So much depends on things like your starting BMI, gender, age, metabolic rate, etc - but most people seem to lose somewhere in the 15-25 lb range the first month, and then about 10 lbs month after that. As you get closer to goal, the rate of weight loss decreases even more. I think a lot of people's expectations are shaped by shows like "My 600 lb Life" and are therefore very disappointed when they lose 15 or 20 lbs the first month - and then 10 lbs a month after that - but you have to keep in mind that the people on those shows start at MUCH higher BMI's than the average WLS patient. You are doing absolutely fine - so stop worrying about it and just enjoy the ride! I lost 16 lbs the first month, and about 10 lbs a month after that (again, dropping off a few months later), and I lost 100% of my excess weight. And I started off at over 300 lbs.

*lexie* Good for you you're doing awesome! I had my surgery on the 19th and by October 1st I had lost 15lbs post op- and on Oct 1st my stall began! It too lasted 14 days. I made sure I got in all of my water and tried for my protein goal daily, I also increased my walking from 1 to 1.5 mile- finally this past week the scale started moving again. I read a lot about stalls, so I gave myself a three week waiting period, if I was still stalled after three weeks I would've started being crazy. Luckily, it ends. Personally I feel great- lots of energy, no food issues. The only strange thing is I have had a swollen gland on the side of my neck since surgery. I was thinking maybe I was scratched when they pulled the tube out- but it's been a month. Is anyone else having this issue?

I hit a stall. Like so many others, I didn't think it would happen, but three weeks comes around and nothing happens! Stay the course.. I think I am moving downward again. Have lost 20 pounds and have not had any slime or food issued yet. Scares me that the transition to solids has been so easy. I need to work on slowing down when I eat. I have been able to eat an entire container of yogurt which concerns me. I fear he left me too large a stomach!

You and I have the same surgery date, 12/2! And I've lost about the same since surgery - it turns out there's a standard three-week stall. Check out the discussions under POST-operative weight loss surgery Q & A - they have been super helpful to me. I'm now stalled after three weeks having lost 12 lbs since surgery but only 2 lbs this past week, and 8 lbs two weeks prior. In a couple articles I read online it says the liver was shrunk for surgery but works to get back to a normal size afterward and it takes - yep - three weeks. Sometimes this stall can last several weeks but afterward there can be a sudden, large loss. Apparently there will be multiple stalls along the way. The articles also said not to go below 600 calories a day as that can backfire as the body tries to store what it can during what it perceives as starvation time. I know many don't believe in starvation mode and I'm not sure it isn't just a myth. But to stay healthy it makes sense that at least 600 good quality calories a day is a good idea no matter the reason. Also, the weight loss rate depends on several factors. Males lose faster, those who are much bigger initially lose faster, women after menopause slower (that's me), etc. I'm reminding myself that prior to surgery it took me six months to lose 11 lbs. on my own...and my pre-diabetes and non-alcoholic liver disease labs and my borderline high blood pressure had not improved at all, though my cholesterol levels did. Post-surgery all are now in the normal range! No diabetes looming for me (like my mother), thank goodness. Here's wishing us both good luck during the dreaded three-week stall. We'll get there! I'm greatly encouraged by some of the posts about the three-week stall under the Post-op Q & A where the stats show those posting lost all or most of there weight and reached their goals despite having stalls and slow weight loss overall.

Yes...you're in the three week stall! I stalled there and it lasted for six weeks for me. Called my NUT and she said keep up the Protein, add 100 calories of "good fats" (olive oil, avocado, etc.), stick with the program. I started losing again at about 8 weeks out. I DID lose inches during my stall, though. I think during that time I was burning fat and buildng a lot of muscle which weighs more than the same volume of fat. Adding muscle is very important to in order to get your metabolism burning better. So maybe try not to focus for the moment on the pounds and more on overall fitness? If you stay the course, it will come off eventually! Keep up the great work. 19 lbs. in a couple of weeks is totally excellent!

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/261424-the-52-diet-book-free/ Eat your regular plan on feast days... I eat between 1200-1500 depending on exercise (I eat some of my exercise calories back) "fast" two days a week. many choose mon-ths, but choose whats best for you, you must not have them on days next to each other. Fast day is around 500 calories for women. I eat around 550 (according to the 5:2 site that is right for me) The point is to have 12-16 hours of no eating now and then. Then reduced calorie intake a couple of days a week. Example, I have a Protein drink/coffee/tea in the am through lunch, and then have a pretty regular dinner, around 350-450 cals. Try and get 50 gms protein on fast days, then veggies. Some skip Breakfast, some eat three small meals, its up to you. If you have to miss a fast day, just pick another day to do it. Its pretty easy. It is not first of all a weight loss plan, it is a longevity plan, but weight loss is a side effect. I lost my last 20 pounds on it. I am stalled out right now, but figure that will change eventually! There are a couple of 5:2 posts in the vets section, post there with more questions and Im sure I or someone else will answer your questions! best of luck, Kim

Hi Titan, You have gotten... some good advice. Just a heads up, this forum is for Vets... those farther than one year out from surgery. I'm going to move this to general advice where everyone can comment for you. The three week stall stinks!

I didn't have a three week stall, but I'm about six months post-op now and have been teetering on 2 pounds. HOWEVER, measurements do not lie. From last month I've lost another two inches off my waist. I'm struggling mentally with progress/body/eating right now, so the inches lost are a huge help to see, but I totally feel you with the stall pain.

I can see how frustrating that is, but then again you've already lost almost 80 pounds which is a LOT. So, your body is probably adjusting to that massive weight loss before you can start losing again. I spent the last week of October, all of November and the first week of December in a stall, pretty much. I only lost 6 kilos (13 pounds) in those three months, most of it in December. I'm thinking January is going to be your month. It will be great starting the new year with renewed weight loss!

Three weeks post op, I went on my first business trip. It was a big wine and dine event, and then I stayed the weekend over, laid by the pool. I drank each day, beer, wine and/or Mai Tais. But I logged everything, and averaged over those 7 days, 700 calories a day. I came back and in the week since I had last weighed myself I gained more than 2 lbs. Now, it could have been the 3 week stall, it could have just been restaurant food vs. the very basic food I was eating at home. It could have been the transition to "real" food. It could have been 700 calories vs, 400 calories I was consuming prior. But it could also have been the alcohol (and mixers). Those were purely unnecessary calories I was consuming. Honestly, I was pissed at myself. After that point I have had the very occasional glass of wine, but I am determines that I will not be consuming liquid calories going forward. I want this weight loss too badly to sabotage it. This has been an awkward and challenging decision. I do a lot of entertaining in my job. My industry and my company have a big drinking culture. I also miss a nice glass of wine with a good meal. But if I'm willing to undergo surgery to remove most of my stomach, I'm willing to make other sacrifices to get this weight off.

I am just curious.... Is there anyone in this forum in which the RNY surgery didn't work for them. Meaning not much weight or any weight was lost. I am entering my third on Tuesday and I hit a stall on week two. I haven't lost any weight for a week now even though I have amped my activity levels. Walking more and being more active . Met with nutritionist this past week over concerns of not losing and she told me it was normal. However I am still worried that this might not work because I have been keeping up with protein and water intake as instructed and have been doing moderate exercise and not one pound has been lost. So far I have only lost 17 pounds in three weeks.

I am in my first stall. I will be at three weeks tomorrow. The first two weeks I lost 18 pounds but since day 15, nothing. So, I have no advice for getting out of the stall, but sure look forward to others answering.

I stalled at three weeks out for a couple of weeks (like most people). But other than that I try not to see my progress, or lack thereof, as stalls anymore. Reading this thread, and many others, has taught me that I'm not stalling - I am a slow loser, and my body takes time to adjust. But I DO lose. I've lost 40 lbs total, have just hit 199, and have 80 more to go. I'm in it for the long haul, so stalls or no stalls, I'm gonna lose it!

Holy cow. I cannot even believe how slow this has gotten to be. My first 65 pounds basically melted off, I did what the dr told me to do and the pounds just came off. I am no longer in a stall, I mean its coming off, but good lord is it ever slow! I am following my program to the letter. Water, protein, macros, exercise, sleep and patience but that last one is tough........we went to Arizona the beginning of March and I did not have a scale with me. I was so flipping proud of myself. No alcohol at all, I didn't cheat on garbage food, we hiked ALOT, we swam a lot, I was so excited to get home and get on the scale and I only lost 3 pounds I don't know how or if its possible to speed anything up, I don't know if this is just how its going to be, at times I am thinking I am just destined to fight the fat the rest of my life! 3 POUNDS IN THREE WEEKS!

Stalls come and go imho. Last week I lost two pounds, I officially weigh myself every Friday. Hoped on the scale today and was down three pounds since Friday. Go figure. My thinking is that it will all average out in the long run. (At least that's what I'm trying to convince myself)

Hey all im finally 10.5 weeks out!! I’m 45 pounds down overall and feeling pretty good. There are a few things that have been bothering me: 1. Acne all over my face. 2.legs are still getting swollen 3. Everything is moving to my ass beside back fat 4. Knee pain is a real thing STILL 5. Hunger pain are back are to normal 6. I still cry when I can’t finish my food weight has fully slowed down. I had my stall at three weeks and it lasted two weeks. After that I have lost at most 3 pounds a week or maybe 2 oz a week. i went from 430 to 385.4 I’m happy that I got the surgery but this has been a life changing experience that I will never take for granted. This thanksgiving will be a test for me since this will be my first holiday .

Okay guys...I've been lurking the last few days. Can I just start off by saying that counting calories SUX! There...now that I've said that, I feel better. I started with my "recommitt" last Monday, did pretty good for three days, then relaxed because I just can't find the time to write everything down or log on to fitday. So...to make a really long story short...my weight has stalled this week and I didn't commit to ANY of my weekly goals like I intended to. I did walk one day, but have found excuses for all the other days. So...how do I stop this vicious cycle? I'm going to pick myself up and start over today. I'm not sure that I can actually commit to logging my foods and then really carry through with it all week, but I'm going to commit to making slow and clear decisions before I eat this week. Don't eat unless I'm truely hungry (which I seem to do all the time), and don't drink anything with calories, other than Protein shakes, and don't drink with my meals!!!! I go in today for my first fill since my port revision surgery, so I'm praying for restriction! I hope everyone is off to a good start this week! We can do this...I know we can!

I've only ran into two people who were negative towards me. My uncle and my coworker. My uncle said that it was the easy way out and that its too dangerous and kept pushing me to not have it. I finally told him I was going through with it, it was my decision, and that the surgery he was thinking about was 15 years ago. I told him they have come a long way. My coworker I still have problems with to this day, and probably should speak to HR about them. She made it very clear that she was against it and that eating the right things and exercising would work (even though she knows how much I was working out every day and watching what I ate, because she told me that I needed to get a new hobby after work and stop eating salads because it makes her feel bad), but still decided to ask questions. So I thought by answering the questions, I could make her see why this was the best decision for me. She still seemed to have her doubts, but I figured it was more related to concerns due to the amount of get well messages she text me while I was in the hospital and the week after. When I finally came back to work, she had told everyone that I work with that I had the surgery. There is only myself, my boss and this one individual in my office, but she had gone to other offices and departments to share with them why I was out. It wasn't really her business to share, and the only reason I shared with her is because I thought I could trust her, and like I said there's only three of us in the office. So when I first returned, I was treated like someone close to me had just died. Everyone just had a look of sympathy and treated me like I was about to break at any moment. Then once I proved that I was fine, with the help of some others that had gastric bypass, everything seemed to get back to normal, and I even started receiving compliments. Then I hit a stall. I was very frustrated and after days of her continuously asking how I was doing, I caved and mentioned that I was stuck. BIG MISTAKE. Next thing I knew, I had another woman who had the gastric bypass several years back (who doesn't even work in the same building as us) came to my office and sit down and tell me that it sometimes happens but keep doing what I am doing. Another woman was trying to give me advice. The third just wanted to keep complimenting me to try and make me feel better. So I was blown away that my coworker yet again went and told other people my business. So when I confronted her about it, she told me that she just sees me struggling so bad and would never be able to do what I am doing. I am not struggling, and I told her that I'm not and that I don't know why she assumes that I am. And she said well you can't eat hardly anything. I told her its not that I can't, its that I don't want to. Also when they remove the majority of your stomach, the idea is so that less amount of food is required to fill you. I just am so frustrated with this woman. I should have known better then to ever open my mouth to her, but being such a small office, I felt compelled too. Its come to the point of not sharing any information at all. When she asks how I'm doing, I just ignore her and remind myself how far I have come and how great I feel. I have let me boss know of my frustrations, and spoke candidly to my HR person just in case she starts gossip again. My advice, share the information with only those you want too. Something I read was that the sleeve patients lose slower then bypass patients, so depending on how much you need to lose you may be able to get away with not telling anyone. I know my cousins coworker had it done, people assumed she did, but she insisted it was just diet and exercise. I was lucky to have so many people support me and it (I don't count the majority of them telling me I wasn't that big, because just saying that meant I was big and needed something done). And another big thing is just let the negativity just roll right off you. If you try to be a positive thinker, it will out weigh the negativity anyone is trying to throw your way.

First let me say I feel fabulous! I've lost over 70 pounds in just over 5 months. I went from a 22 to a very comfy 12. The road has not been easy and for all you newbies...here is my list of amazing highs...and of not so sunshiny lows. Disclaimer: This is my experience...it may not be yours. It will be uncomfortable for a few days post op I was not hungry for weeks after surgery I was scared to eat or drink and I didn’t drink enough...thus constipation and weakness I didn't feel normal for about 6 weeks. I needed naps and I took them The weight literally falls off...seriously I was looking for pools of fat in bed when I woke up in the morning I hit the 4 week stall and it lasted two weeks. Expect it and don't stress On day three, I had a massive freak out…seriously threw a four year old fit…pissed off my stomach was gone. No one noticed for months and that irritated me. EVERYONE notices now and it's all they want to talk about. Don’t tell anyone you are going to Mexico to have your stomach cut off unless you trust them completely. I threw up alot...just slime mostly...while I was learning my new tummy. It will scare you and if you are like me…it will happen a lot when you transition to solid foods. food addiction does not magically go away...if you have a problem before..you will still have it. I think about food all the time, but I finally have a way to resist it. I am a sugar addict. I never crave carbs, but I crave sugar like a mad woman. Going out to dinner is awkward. I hate watching people eat Put the lotion on the skin! My skin got really dry. I’ve lost half my hair at 4.5 months post op. Mine came out in chunks. Freaked me out! Our Golden Retriever and I are in a competition for shedding. It will be ok. Take your Vitamins and buy Nioxin. It doesn’t help my hair loss, but I feel like I am at least doing something about it. Don’t take a powerful laxative when you are constipated…especially before your child’s school performance. It may say “See results in 2-4 hours” but it means 30 mins and then you’re stuck on a mini toilet with both legs numb, crying to everything holy to save you. Shopping is amazing! I still feel like people are looking at me like I don’t belong there…but that’s all in my head. My shoes no longer fit. they are too wide now! Your pre WLS Spanx will look huge in a couple months Trust me…put some Granola bars in your glove box and a few packs of mixed nuts. Sometimes your hungry and there is nothing that you can eat. Handy meals from the market or gas station when you didn’t plan ahead. Single string cheese, an apple, mixed nuts, readymade hard boiled eggs, The inside of California rolls- no rice, campbells Soup at hand or ready made soup in a coffee cup. Handy items at fast food places that sit ok on my tummy include: Taco Bells refried Beans or the inside of a chicken taco. Wendys chili, McDonalds oatmeal, McDonalds yogurt parfait I feel guilty in front of my heavier friends. I always try to wear a sweatshirt so I don’t rub the weight loss in their faces. You get drunk really fast...like a half glass of wine. Be careful...it sneaks up on you...and before you know it, you’re waiting for your hubby to pick you up...from less than a glass. Its crazy. I don't really even try anymore to drink. I crave raw fish, cooked fish, broiled fish, grilled fish...any fish really and it feels amazing on my tummy. I cant eat steak I love that I have collar bones I update my Facebook pictures and secretly love the compliments I own a woman's North Face now I can buy bras at Victoria's secret I pack all my food for work in snack bags and the little tupperware containers for salad dressing. I can still have M&M's...its just like 9...instead of the king size bags Take heartburn medicine everyday...don’t wait until you get heartburn. Buy stock in Maalox You can have a full meal at Costco- Samples + WLS = Cheap Date! Food Portion jokes get really old Fast food burgers makes me want to vomit. At 5 months...salad is wonderful. I can eat about a cup of greens...which takes me a while and I feel a tiny bit normal. Post-op, If you can swing it, buy a Vita-Mix blender and make your own soup. Canned soup was nasty right after surgery. Freeze them in 4oz canning jars. It will be two servings. Quit Smoking before surgery. I waited and it slowed my healing. It also gave me terrible heartburn. I am 5 weeks smoke free You don't have to "confess" you had WLS. It's ok to say thank you for the compliment and not feel guilty. I'm just now starting to accept that I had a little something to do with this insane loss. I tell people when they ask now how I lost the weight, that i exercise and use portion control. People will treat you different. Salesladies ask if I need assistance, men hold open doors and the skinny girls at work talk to me now. It's shallow and pisses me off, but it's nice to not be invisible anymore. WLS is very difficult. For me, it’s not physical, but the mental. Sometimes I just want a cheesecake like before. It goes away very quickly, but it still comes and goes. Sometimes I get angry at my sleeve because I can’t eat something I see others eating. Most of the time I have to hide my expression when I see people shovel food in the way I used to. It’s shocking to see when you’re on the other side of WLS. I used to inhale my food like a tiny food thief was going to come in and take it away from me. You will have to say no to your family when they all want to go to a Chinese buffet. I’m still not ready to walk in and be near a buffet. It feels awesome to give your clothes away, however, do not offer them to your heavier friends. It’s insensitive and they won’t return your calls for a week. Last one...I played laser tag this past weekend with a bunch of 9 year old boys. It was soooo Much fun!!! Please feel free to add any other thoughts or tips...

I go through plateaus every three weeks, then lose for three weeks and plateau again. It will start coming off! I stalled on my workouts in March since I work in public accounting and my audits all issue in March, but starting this week I am back working out. Anyone still having shortness of breath during intense exercise? I'm fine swimming, spinning, jogging, etc but if I am at a pace greater than a jog I get wheezy with a tight throat. I am sure it is surgery related still as I am only 5 months out. Keep up the good work everyone! Down from 322 (310 pre surgery) to 252. My goal is 230-240.

I had a small gain this week. I went from 266 to 266.7. I'm in the middle of week three so I think I've hit the stall everyone talks about. Now I know not to panic!

Good timing for me as well - I had one stall at 231.8 for two weeks; then started to loose once again; now three weeks later I am at a stall at 221.8 ! But the compliments just keep coming and the clothes just keep getting falling off. Today I had to move the seat of my car up closer to the steering wheel. Just came back from a work sponsored health fair - my cholestral is way down; blood pressure is perfect and BMI is down 12%. I am thrilled with all the good news. I am halfway to where I want to be; and happy with the results.

Sleeved Jume 30th. HW 200, SW 200, CW 160. Starting with a low BMI (33), I thought it would take 6 months to lose 40 pounds, I did it in three and I'm thrilled. I've been walking, jogging, then running since two weeks out and that has made a huge difference. I had shoulder surgery and haven't been running for a few weeks, so now I'm in my first stall. I'm ok with it because I think it's getting my body s chance to gear up for the last 30 pounds. I plan to be downright skinny and buff when I'm done!