Weight Loss Stall

[carolinac413 5]

Me again! I am 23 days post-op. I lost 15 pounds the the first two weeks. I began my purée diet last week and since then I’ve stopped losing weight. I am dealing with horrible Constipation and struggling to keep up with 64 oz of Water. I’m worried that I haven’t lost any weight, in fact I gained 2 pounds. I’m starting to think this isn’t gonna work for me and I won’t lose any more weight. Has this happened to anyone?

[winkydinks 17]

Being constipated can make a difference on the scale if you're weighing yourself multiple times a week. The human body can have up to five pounds of excrement inside it at one time. I'm on day 16, and about half a week ago, I didn't lose anything for 2-3 days. Not to be unpleasant, but I had some major bathroom time on the third day and was three pounds lighter the next morning.

Idk if you're eating any significant amount of salt (broth can have a lot if you've been having that) but if you are, that can easily cause a couple pounds of Water retention too. Idk how many calories you're eating per day, but there's no way you're not going to be burning if it's the typical amount for this point in time.

Try not to be despondent. If this issue does persist going forward, you might want to go in and get checked for fatty liver disease or a thyroid problem. Both can hinder weight loss.

[Arabesque 6,573]

Stalls are extremely common & a natural & expected part of the weight loss process. The first usually occurs around the third week (hence the name the three week stall) but it can occur before or after that mark. They can last 1-3 weeks. They have nothing to do with you possibly failing. Think of them as your body trying to play catch up & get used to all the changes. It’s the equivalent of your body closing the front door & pulling the covers over it’s head much like we feel like doing when life gets stressful for us. Oh & yes, I did say first stall. You may experience a couple as you’re losing.

Don’t be too perturbed if you’re not meeting all your Fluid & Protein goals every single day expesically in the beginning. As long as you’re making a concentrated effort & are close you’re okay. It does get easier when you’re eating solid foods & able to eat a little more. If I have a day when I’m lower, I try to be a bit higher than I need the next day & I’m almost three years out.

And the Constipation may continue until you’re close to or in maintenance & eating a much broader diet & eating more. At the moment your consuming very little food so you don’t have a lot to excrete. Not going every day is to be expected. Add a fibre supplement like Benefibre that doesn’t swell in your tummy. Add some vegetables & whole or multi grains to your diet as soon as you’re able. And keep on top of the constipation to avoid compaction & discomfort (pain) when you finally go. I took a stool softener if I had three days without movement.

[TheWeightisOvr 74]

Sigh** definitely can relate to your post. You’ve gotten great advice so far. I too was in a stall that lasted a couple weeks. I’m 7 weeks post op: so mine was right on time lol I was the same weight for a week then I gained 3 lbs, then another 2, then back down again.

This week in happy to report my first stall which I aptly named Olga.(great suggestion from a wonderful person on here to name stalls) it made it fun to give if a name. I made her my friend and I also understood that my body just maybe needed a break from losing. But I was also constipated. I took some milk of magnesium and that was quickly rectified. Good luck!

[catwoman7 10,933]

it's the infamous "three-week stall" - right on schedule! Do I search on this site for it. When I last checked, there were over 17,000 posts on it (and no, I am NOT kidding...)