Help! I am 3 weeks out and I haven't lost any weight for 3 days. As a matter of fact, today I gained a pound. Now I do have a $17 scale so I am not sure how accurate it is - but I am getting pretty freaked out. Am I just a lost cause? How can I possibly be screwing up this bad?

I am drinking protien shakes and don't eat more than 1/2 cup of food (usually a lot less). I am not getting as much water in as possible and when I do drink it, I drink Crystal Light.

What am I doing wrong? How is this even possible?

Don't worry!!! It happened to ALL of us :-) Just keep doing what you are doing and it will come off. There is something about that 3 week mark where your body just wants to hold on and sometimes even gain - but it is temporary! I've been having stalls for a week at a time now and I am almost 4 months out. But the good news is that ultimately the scale keeps going down (eventually) and in the past it would have been only going up!

THANK YOU!!! It is so good to know that it is normal. I think I am going to get rid of the scale and just pull it out once a week. It's a bit disheartening.

I really do appreciate you taking the time to let me know that this is normal. You have no idea how relieved I am!

Don't worry!!! It happened to ALL of us :-) Just keep doing what you are doing and it will come off. There is something about that 3 week mark where your body just wants to hold on and sometimes even gain - but it is temporary! I've been having stalls for a week at a time now and I am almost 4 months out. But the good news is that ultimately the scale keeps going down (eventually) and in the past it would have been only going up!

Yep, been there done that - today in fact - gained a pound back.

Water plays a big part, we can retain quite a bit, 10 lbs or more according to some. It makes a difference if you have a bowel movement too.

I would advise to switch to a weekly weigh in rather than daily, then you won't get discouraged with the "bumps" in the road.

Yes, you are definitely NOT ALONE!!! It even has a name, "the dreaded week 3 stall" Just consider it part of your rite of passage :-).

I just through it myself, so I feel you!!!

Yep like the others said it happens to everyone. I actually gained 2lbs and totally freaked. I posted and was so grateful to the ppl who responded to quite my fears.

Hi! I'm 8 weeks out and had a three week stall during weeks 4,5,6. Stick with the rules. I upped my food intake and watched carbs and finally the scale moved and I've lost 6 more pounds in last 2 weeks for a total of 36. Sometimes your body just stops to take a breath.

Thank you. I have taken your advice. I am only doing weekly weigh ins now. Thanks again

Yep, been there done that - today in fact - gained a pound back.

Water plays a big part, we can retain quite a bit, 10 lbs or more according to some. It makes a difference if you have a bowel movement too.

I would advise to switch to a weekly weigh in rather than daily, then you won't get discouraged with the "bumps" in the road.

Thank you so much everyone for your replies. I am so relieved to hear it is not just me. I really feel so much better. You all rock!!!!!

I'm at the dreaded "3 week stall" only I'm two days before the 3 weeks. But I'm not complaining. I'm down 17.5 lbs since surgery and people are noticing. I'm excited. But it's good to know I am not alone with the stall.

Wow-thank you for posting this about the 3 week mark! I am 4 weeks out as of this past Thursday and I too fell victim to the 3 week stall. Since then, I managed to lose another 2lbs. I think unfortunately it is also so easy to fall victim to the scale. Glad I found this group as I need to learn a lot!

I'm totally there too. I actually wrote my dietitian yesterday and asked her if that was normal. I'm glad that I found this post. Made me feel a lot better. This is the beginning of my fourth week since surgery and things are getting easier.

I am really glad that you posted this too! I am on my week 3 stall right now and I have lost and gained the same 3 lbs all week! I too was trying to figure out what I was doing wrong. I can only eat about 1/2 a cup of mushies also and have a hard time getting all of my protein and fluids in, as I have a lot of restriction right now. At least I know that I am not the only one not losing anything on week 3 LOL. Hopefully, we both will see some numbers drop on the scale very soon :-)

I lost 22 pounds in my 2 week liver shrinking diet and in the hospital I noticed I had gained back 3lbs. I am 4 days out of surgery and have gained and I was following everything perfectly. I am also frustrated because I expected to at least lose not gain. I talked to my surgeon and he told me that before surgery and during your hospital stay, they pump you full of fluids in your IV. So some people experience swelling of the ankles, feet, hands, and arms that is from the fluid. The fluid makes them have weight gain. However, once the fluid is urinated out over a couple weeks you will notice the weight loss. I'm not saying this is what is going on with you but it's something to consider that could be the problem.

I am 3 months post op and I was doing great till 3 weeks ago! I have los 80 lbs! but I havent lost a single lb in 3 weeks!! I am not doing anything differently, but I am not excersising because I was losing so well! But now I am very frustrated and I am sure that excersise is key! The dreaded workouts! Why plateau, though? I'm hardly eating anything! My body just wants to stay fat, I think? Any tips? Please help?

Stalls are normal. It probably will not be your last. 80 pounds is so great! I would just keep up the good work, and start doing some more activities... find something you like, like dancing, sports or joining friends for walking the dog. Its a lot easier to do those kinds of activities than something you think is a chore.