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not sure why you're complaining - I think we'd all love an easy recovery! (and many of us do have them). It sounds like you're progressing normally. No reason to go back to protein shakes only if you're not having any issues. almost everyone has their first major stall during the first month or so after surgery. We even have a name for it - "the three-week stall" (because it's usually the third week, but not always. It can be the second week or the fifth week). It'll last for 1-3 weeks. Just stick to your program and it WILL break. You will likely hit a few of these on your journey. I had a very easy recovery and was able to progress quickly, like you. I ended up losing all of my excess weight. So you're fine.

I had VSG 2/09/21 so I’m only two weeks out from surgery. My doctor has me on Protonix to prevent gastric reflux and so far it’s helped tremendously. No problems with stomach acids really. My problem is I seem to have hit the dreaded “three week stall” early! No matter how closely I track and watch what I’m eating (I’m on puréed foods now), I’m stuck at the same weight! It’s incredibly frustrating. I’m 52 and guess things are a little different for us older gals... I’ve only lost 12 lbs since my surgery. I sure could use some words of encouragement.

there's really no normal. People lose weight at all different rates for all different reasons (age, gender, metabolic level, body composition, activity level, starting BMI, whether or not they lost weight before surgery, etc). Plus a lot of people gain weight during their hospital stay because of the IV fluids (some gain 10 or more lbs, in fact), and it can take up to a week to get rid of that. And then there's the infamous "three-week stall", which most people go through sometime within the first month or so of surgery - usually the third week, but not always -- and sometimes it comes early. I had my early stall during weeks 2 & 3. So...it's hard to tell. I would say most people lose somewhere in the 15-25 lb the first MONTH of surgery (you'll find some who lose more or less than that, but that range seems to be the norm), but it's all across the board the first week or two...

yep - it's the infamous three-week stall, right on time! It'll last 1-3 weeks. Just stick to your program, stay off the scale if you have to, and rest assured that it will break. This is likely to be your first of several..

I’m in the three week stall. 3 days now. The worst part is that I stalled at 201 so I haven’t gotten to the 1s yet : -(

yep - it's the infamous three-week stall that almost everyone goes through! It typically lasts 1-3 weeks. Just stick to your plan and it'll break. Always does...

first week is from the IV fluids they gave you in the hospital. Some people gain as much as 10 lbs from that (I can't remember how much I "gained" - maybe 4 or 5 lbs). It can take up to a week for it to work its way out. Also, almost everyone has their first stall within the first 4-6 weeks after surgery. It's usually the third week (thus, the "three-week stall"), but not always. Mine was weeks 2 & 3. During week 4, it broke and I dropped like 6-8 lbs practically overnight.

she's only three weeks out - it's the infamous three-week stall. Pretty much everyone has that. Best thing to do is just stay the course - and stay off the scale 🙂

All the information you need is here on this forum. You may not know many people in real life who have been through this surgery, but everybody here is in some stage of the process of weight loss surgery. If you haven't already, I would strongly recommend that you spend some time looking through the archives of this forum -- it's a gold mine! YouTube is also a great resource -- there are quite a few YouTubers who make videos about their WLS experience. I was pretty well prepared for surgery because I spent months reading this forum and watching YouTube videos about WLS. It seems like the most common questions that come up include: Stalls - Almost everyone has a weight loss stall within the first two months after surgery (commonly called the "three week stall" but it can happen earlier or later). Do not be alarmed. You didn't do anything wrong. The surgery didn't fail. Stick to your plan and you will start losing again. Weight gain from surgery - Many people weigh more when they come home from the hospital after surgery than they did before surgery. That's temporary and it's because they pump you full of IV fluids in the hospital. You're better off not even weighing yourself for the first couple of weeks after surgery because it is honestly meaningless. Fluid & protein goals - It's almost impossible to meet your fluid and protein goals in the first couple of weeks. Most surgeons tell you to get at least 60 ounces of fluids and 60 grams of protein per day. It sounds easy but it's not at the beginning. Do your best and don't worry if you can't quite get there. Dehydration is a serious thing that can land you back in the hospital, so you do need to sip as much as you can, but it's not the end of the world if you can't get 60 ounces. Pro tip: try warm fluids (tea, broth, protein hot cocoa) if cold drinks are difficult. Hair loss - Most people start losing hair around 3 months after surgery (it's a phenomenon called telogen effluvium), and there's not a whole lot you can do to avoid it. Protein and iron deficiencies can contribute to hair loss, and some people say that biotin can help to prevent hair loss, but you will almost certainly have some hair loss no matter what you do. It will grow back. Vitamins - Your surgeon should have given you a list of vitamins that you will need to take. This varies a bit from one surgeon to the next, but most say to take a bariatric multivitamin (or a double dose of a drugstore vitamin), iron (which can be included in the multivitamin), calcium citrate (most drugstore calcium supplements are calcium carbonate, so make sure to check the ingredients and buy calcium citrate), and B-12 (sublingual, injection, or nasal spray). You'll have to take chewable vitamins for at least the first month or two. Vitamins come in different forms (chewable, melt-in-your-mouth, capsules, liquid, patches), so if you have issues with one form, try something else. The BariatricPal store has a great selection of vitamins and they frequently have sales. I purchase most of my vitamins from there (BariatricPal brand). Constipation - Nobody likes to talk about toilet stuff, but constipation is no joke. A lot of surgeons recommend taking Miralax daily (note: Amazon has a generic brand that is much cheaper). Don't wait until you get constipated to take something. Prevention is easier than treatment. Other than that, the one thing you should do today if you haven't already is take your "before" pictures and measurements! Most of us have very few "before" pictures because we didn't like the way we looked before weight loss and avoided being in photos. You will want to have some pictures for comparison when you reach your goal weight. You will want to have your starting measurements so you can see how far you've come. Good luck! Stick around and let us know how it goes!

yep - it's the infamous three-week stall that you've probably read a lot about on here. It happens to almost everybody (it's not always the third week - although that's the most common time - but some people have it the second week and some the fifth week - it varies). Just stick to your plan and it'll eventually break. Mine lasted two weeks (stalls are usually 1-3 weeks long). Stay off the scale for a few days if you have to

yep - three week stall. Happens to almost everyone. Last time I checked, there were over 17,000 posts on it (and no, I'm NOT kidding!) just stick to your plan and it'll eventually break. They usually last 1-3 weeks (mine lasted two weeks. Once it broke, I dropped like 6-8 lbs in a couple of days)

First of all do not panic. You are in the famous three week stall, it can come anytime but week three is the famous "three week stall" you can google it. You cannot work your way out of it, it just happens and your not doing anything at all wrong, it will pass. Second, I found that warm things were much better for me that cold or even sweet things. But remember this is just a stage, it will pass super quick and before you know it you will be on to the next stage and this will just be a memory. Try not to hurry on to the next stage, you may feel ready and you may be healed up on the outside but you cannot see the incisions or the surgical sites on the inside and you just had major surgery. Its important to let that stuff heal the way it needs to. Proper healing is very important for long term success!! So just go with the misery of the full liquids for the time and choke down the soups and the protein shakes until you get the go ahead to move on to the next stage and before you know it you will be eating regular foods (at a much smaller portion) Try drinking a warm bone broth when you think your hungry, they are high in protein and will fill you up and count towards protein and liquid. They also will leave you feeling full longer than a regular broth

Finally broke my three week stall and had a 3 lb weight loss. 187 on the scale today. Woot woot! And I had two Christmas cookies yesterday- what a mind game. I’d did make a conscious effort to get my 64 ounces of water this week. I’m 15 weeks out and I am at about 900-1200 calories a day and I get at least 45 minutes of exercise 6 days a week (I use a Peloton bike). For those on a stall, listen to what everyone else has said and stay the course.

I’m six weeks post-op and had the three week stall as well. Mine lasted for about a week. Also, I wasn’t given any specific goals by my surgeon and dietician except for liquids and protein. But, they did specify to eat 5-6 small meals per day.

it's the infamous three-week stall - right on schedule!

Let's see, a few things: 1. You may have a few uncomfortable days when you're wondering what you got yourself into. Don't worry, it gets better quickly. 2. Being "full" will feel different after surgery and you'll want to learn to recognize that feeling quickly. Overeating or eating too fast after surgery makes you REALLY miserable. 3. You'll only be able to eat a tiny amount at first. Just getting enough water and protein in will be tough. Don't worry, you'll be able to eat more soon. 4. Stick as closely as you can to the eating plan your bariatric team gives you. 5. About a month after surgery, you might stop losing weight. It happens to almost everyone and it's called the "three-week stall" here on the forum. Don't worry, you'll start losing again. 6. Don't buy a lot of clothes as you start losing weight. You'll be blowing through sizes really quickly. Just get a few inexpensive pieces until you know what size you are eventually going to be. 7. Don't compare your progress to other people. We have a different metabolism, dieting history, lifestyle, etc. Some people will lose faster than you and some slower. It's all good. 8. You will definitely reach a point when you can have your favorite foods again, although likely in small portions and not very often. Some things might taste different after surgery. Just a few tips! Hope all goes well with your surgery. 🤗

it's the infamous three week stall. Almost all of us go through it. It's not always the third week (but it is for most of us) - but at some point within the first 4-6 weeks after surgery, almost all of us go through our first major stall. Mine was weeks 2 & 3. Didn't lose a lb. Then during week 4, the stall finally broke and I lost like 6-8 lbs within a couple of days. Just continue to follow your program and stay off the scale for a few days if you need to - and know that it WILL break! And also know that you'll likely hit these several times during your journey. It's all part of the game...

yep - it's the infamous three-week stall - right on schedule!

yep - it's the infamous three week stall. Happens to almost everyone (it's usually, but not always, the third week. But sometime within the first 4-6 weeks after surgery, pretty much everyone has their first major stall. It typically lasts 1-3 weeks). If you do a search on this site, you'll find over 15,000 posts on it. And no, I am NOT kidding! Just stick to your plan and stay off your scale if you have to. The weight loss WILL start up again...

Don't have a lot of information about you, it would be helpful if you filled in your profile...hightest weight, surgery day weight, current weight, height...all this gives context to your post and helps us to tailor a response to you. So if I understand correctly its been about four days since you have lost scale weight, but in the 10 days before that you've lost 13lb??? That's great and above average for the stage you are at. There will be weight loss stalls along the way, one of the major ones is the three week stall (though for some this can happen before three weeks and for others well after). Please take the time to fill in your details.

You are doing great so far. Stalls are very normal, google weight loss surgery three week stall, though yours is four weeks (the three week stall can become four or five week stall). Your body is taking time to adjust to the varous food stages plus the recent 'big' losses. You are doing great, keep doing what you are doing. Some stalls can last a few weeks, some are longer, some stalls are shorter. If yours lasts beyond a few weeks (and assuming you are following your post op guidelines), you may want to check in with your surgeon or dietician.

You're doing great! You've actually lost MORE than average for the first month after surgery, especially considering that you started with a BMI on the low end. Stalls in the first month are extremely common -- we call it the "three week stall" because it usually happens around 3 weeks post-op. There are a lot of superstitions around how to end a stall, but the reality is that a stall is just your body catching up to the changes, and all you can do is be patient and stick with your program. Don't worry; it happens to almost all of us. I know you probably waited a long time to get this surgery and you're ready to be skinny, but it takes time. Congrats on your success so far!

Just wanted to give you guys an update. The weight loss has started up again. At the time I wrote this I was 308. I am now 294. I also drank some Smooth Move tea. The three week stall is real! For those going through it just be patient stick to your plan and don’t give up!

Just wanted to give you guys an update. The weight loss has started up again. At the time I wrote this I was 308. I am now 294. I also drank some Smooth Move tea. The three week stall is real! For those going through it just be patient stick to your plan and don’t give up!

First of all, 12 pounds in 3 weeks is right on target, so you're doing fine! Many people gain weight immediately after surgery because of all the IV fluids, which can skew your early results. Many people have a stall in the first month (commonly referred to as the "three week stall" because it often starts right around week 3, but that varies from one person to the next). If you follow your surgeon's plan, you WILL lose weight. I know it's hard to be patient, but you have to be. What did your surgeon say about exercise? Some surgeons actually discourage strenuous exercise in the beginning because, as you've discovered, you don't have enough energy while you're eating so little. Are you walking at all? It is good to walk a little, even if it's just around the house or up and down the street, but you don't need to be going to the gym or anything at this point. Did you exercise regularly before surgery? If not, you'll probably need to start slowly.