For the past week, I have weighed exactly the same, and I have a long ways to go. I have been sticking within the parameters of my surgeon and nutritionists guidelines--but every day I get up to weigh myself the scale says:195.4 lbs. Sometimes I feel like breaking the scale, because I feel crushed by it. I am four weeks out from surgery, and down a total of 20 pounds from the date of surgery--but I have great emotion tied to that scale. I know that it is impossible to keep this weight on so long as I do what is required--but for some reason my body isn't letting anything go. I am aware that the sleeve is a tool and not a full-blown answer to my lifetime struggle with obesity. Today, I am going to try and relax, do what I need to do at work and lean into this process. I know that I have messed up my metabolism from past crazy dieting (only getting bigger and bigger), and there has to be a period of adjustment, but darn it--I want to be better yesterday! Somewhere deep inside of me lingers the fear that this procedure is going to work for all of you--but not me. Please share any of your experiences on how you dealt with this type of frustration, or if you ever dealt with this fear and frustration. I am wishing you all the best on this journey.

Leilie

^{Take a deep breath and do not step on that scale for at least a week. Plateaus happen and it is not unusual to plateau at 4 weeks. Your body is going through a major adjustment. Just keep following the plan. I too have an unhealthy relationship with my scale. I plateaued at 4 weeks and didn't lose a pound for 3 weeks. I know what you are feeling. It does end, and then the weight just starts falling off. Make sure you're getting your Protein and your Water and walk as much as possible and DO NOT step on that scale.}

I saw my nutritionist yesterday and we had this very discussion. Plateau's will happen and you may not see a drop in weight for a couple of weeks at a time. Your body needs time to adjust and reset and understand what it's new normal is. Stick with the plan, keep active. They say look for "non scale victories" which, frankly, annoyed me. What better victory is there than the scale going down? My nutritionist said that we've been trained to rely on that scale but that isn't the only measure of success.

I had a plateau at 4 weeks too (I am 6 weeks out now). I had taken my measurements the day before surgery and chose to check them at the 4 week point. 9 inches down. That felt HUGE! Go through your closet and try on a few outfits. No doubt you will see a big difference in your clothing. My meds have been cut down considerably because of my 6 week labs. Throwing out those pills felt better than any number on that scale.

Just know that the weight you've already lost has improved your life considerably. You've lost 20 POUNDS! That's AMAZING!!! And you will lose more. Look for the little things and the ways your life has already improved and that will help refocus your momentum from that annoying, menacing little scale.

Best to you!!!

If you are having this type of reaction to the first "stall" (I'd hardly call it a stall if it's only been one week), you need to put your scale away. It's doing you more harm than good. You are going to have many weeks, possibly even months, during this journey when the scale won't budge (or might even go up!). If you can't deal with that reality, then put the scale away, step on it once a month or not at all, and just stick to your plan. You will lose weight if you stick to the plan. How quickly you lose weight is irrelevant in the long run. Ten years from now when you are happy, healthy, and enjoying life, are you really going to be looking back and saying "if only I'd lost weight that one week!" Nope. If it takes you 6 months or 16 months to get to goal, once you are there, how long it took won't matter one bit.

3-4 weeks is when the first stall typical hits. Try not too worry about it!!

Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the weight loss process. None of us lose at a constant or steady rate. We all experience stalls and most of us experience our first stall about three weeks after surgery.

Are you following your program?

Are you tracking your food?

Are you getting in ALL of your Protein and Fluid every day?

Are you eating slowly and chewing thoroughly?

Are you avoiding starches and added sugars?

Are you taking your Vitamins and supplements as directed?

Are you exercising?

If you are doing all of these things, then you will lose weight.

Stay off the scale and Embrace the Stall!

[url=http://BariatricPal....brace-the-Stall

Thanks, all! I think in my crazy mind--because so much never worked, I have this scary miscalculated picture in my mind that people just got the sleeve, followed the guidelines and constantly dropped the excess weight. I am glad to know that I am not alone in these stalls. I just keep chanting (silently) my mantra: I am not alone.

Leilie