Weight loss plateau so early?

[Ssedmak 3]

I had surgery on 11/9. I’ve lost 20lbs since surgery 247 down to 227. I have stalled the last few days with no budge on the scale. Should I be worried? It seems pretty early for a plateau?? I’m tracking and getting between 300 and 500 calories a day. Is my weight loss over? I just can’t believe my weight is stalling already. I guess I just need some encouragement.

[catwoman7 10,866]

nope - it's far from over. Sounds like you're experiencing the infamous "three-week stall" a little early. The "three-week stall" happens to the vast majority of us - if you do a search on this site for it, you'll find over 17,000 posts on it (and no, I am NOT kidding). That first major stall can really happen any time during the first month or six weeks after surgery, but it's usually the third week, thus, the name. It'll last 1-3 weeks. The best way to deal with it is to make sure you're 100% on plan and stay off the scale for a few days. It WILL break and you'll be on your way again. And know that this is likely the first of many stalls. It's just a natural part of weight loss.

[NickelChip 687]

I was curious what causes the 3-week stall, and this is what I found out in doing a little digging. When we experience calorie deprivation, whether a diet or after surgery or just not having the usual amount to eat for a bit, our bodies first turn to our store of glycogen to keep things running. Glycogen is a form of stored sugar, and for each gram of glycogen in the body, it's bound to 3 grams of Water. So, if you burn a gram of glycogen for energy, you lose 3 additional grams of water as a bonus. Your body will always burn glycogen before it burns fat because that's how we've evolved to handle brief food shortages. Which means most of the weight you lose right after surgery is not actually fat, but water (and that's fine!).

But after a few weeks, your body is low on glycogen and you still haven't hunted down a wooly mammoth to eat, so now it starts burning fat to keep running. At the same time, it does what it can to replenish those glycogen stores with whatever calories you have coming in, because it's a little worried you won't survive the next famine. Glycogen makes me think of the $100 cash my mom always kept stashed in her sock drawer for an emergency. If she used any of it, as soon as she got more cash, she replenished that first before putting anything in her wallet.

Remember, each gram of glycogen comes with 3 grams of water. So you might burn 4 grams of fat, but also replenish 1 gram of glycogen (along with the 3 grams of water that tag along for the ride), and the scale shows you the same weight. Now you feel like nothing has happened and start to panic. But you still lost fat, which is the goal. And once your body does what it needs to do to replenish that glycogen, it'll start showing on the scale again.

I really wish doctors would explain this process to patients before surgery! Some mention plateaus in general, but they rarely explain what causes them, and the 3 week stall is the type of thing they really should explain in detail so we know what's going on because it's basically a given.

[Ssedmak 3]

Thank you for replying. I’ll put the scale away for a bit. I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one. Just sucks that it’s so early.
thank you!!

[KathyLev 283]

You should be a doctor ,NickelChip ! LOL You explained that so clearly and easy to understand . That's something everyone should keep in mind when those darn stalls strike . Thanks for looking that up for us

[The Greater Fool 1,952]

32 minutes ago, Ssedmak said:

Thank you for replying. I’ll put the scale away for a bit. I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one. Just sucks that it’s so early.
thank you!!

IMHO, you've made a good decision.

Let me share a bit of my story to convince you to put the scale away... period.

When I had surgery I was too large by far for a home scale. The only time I was weighed for about a year and a half after surgery was at my surgeon's office at monthly follow-ups. Because of this, I never saw a stall in my weight loss. At my follow-ups my weight loss was never the topic of discussion unless I brought it up. The discussion centered on how I was feeling, how my plan was going, life changes, how was I emotionally, any issues or concerns. I learned valuable lessons in these appointments.

Eventually I was able to weigh on a home scale. I practically lived on the scale for a couple weeks until the novelty wore off, then I never used it again. I knew how I was doing by how I felt, my plan compliance, how my clothes felt, my health, happiness and a number of other considerations. These are still my measurements.

We don't need a scale to follow our plans. The number on a scale does not tell you how well you are following your plan. In some cases, the number on the scale may tempt you to change your successful plan.

It's great not being ruled by a number on a scale and simply paying attention to the important stuff.

Good luck,

Tek

[ChunkCat 674]

I love your explanation @NickelChip! I've read it before in another group but you made it so easy to understand!! That is exactly what is happening during our stalls, especially the early ones. The body is just trying to protect us and make sure we'll survive. I believe during this time it also assesses things like set points, what the metabolism is doing, etc... Our bodies are hard workers even when the scale is sitting there staying the same. I too wish doctors would take the time to explain this to their patients, it is a major source of anxiety throughout the weight loss phase!

OP, I'd highly suggest getting yourself a tape measure. Measurements are a fantastic way to track weight changes in our bodies and often when the scale doesn't move we lose inches, because we are actually still losing fat, we are just losing in stealth thanks to that Water weight. A similar process happens when we start exercising, often the scale stalls or we even gain! But below the surface we are still changing our body's composition, fat is still being burned. Apps like Baritastic will track your measurements and show you over time how they are trending down, it is pretty cool.

I only allow myself one weigh in a week. If I feel anxiety about the scale I don't even do that. It isn't worth the mental anguish... For the VAST majority of people, if you follow your plan, eat regularly, drink your water, and get some movement in, your body will continue that fat burning for a long time. There are always outliers, of course, and my heart goes out to them. But the odds are we won't be outliers... I remind myself of this every day, I'm 3 weeks out! You've lost the same amount that I have in less time, that's pretty cool!

[KathyLev 283]

Funny thing ---- I was all bummed out about my 3 month long stall - I even Gained 4 pounds when I saw my doc a couple days ago. I finally did something I was so scared to do ..... I took out the tape measure. I was seriously shaking when I measured myself for the first time. I lost a total of 15" since this whole program started ! I knew my clothes were loose - but 15 inches ? ! ? ! Wow ! In fact ...... I feel SO GOOD ,this is the going to be the first time in YEARS that I'm putting up a Christmas tree The hell with that scale LOL !!! My mental and physical health is better than it's been for years and I stopped focusing on that darn number !

[ChunkCat 674]

31 minutes ago, KathyLev said:

Funny thing ---- I was all bummed out about my 3 month long stall - I even Gained 4 pounds when I saw my doc a couple days ago. I finally did something I was so scared to do ..... I took out the tape measure. I was seriously shaking when I measured myself for the first time. I lost a total of 15" since this whole program started ! I knew my clothes were loose - but 15 inches ? ! ? ! Wow ! In fact ...... I feel SO GOOD ,this is the going to be the first time in YEARS that I'm putting up a Christmas tree The hell with that scale LOL !!! My mental and physical health is better than it's been for years and I stopped focusing on that darn number !

This makes me so happy for you!!! I know you've been struggling. 15 inches is a lot!! I bet that really feels good. Decorate that tree! Your mental health and physical health is definitely more important than any number! ❤️

[Amerime 33]

5 hours ago, KathyLev said:

Funny thing ---- I was all bummed out about my 3 month long stall - I even Gained 4 pounds when I saw my doc a couple days ago. I finally did something I was so scared to do ..... I took out the tape measure. I was seriously shaking when I measured myself for the first time. I lost a total of 15" since this whole program started ! I knew my clothes were loose - but 15 inches ? ! ? ! Wow ! In fact ...... I feel SO GOOD ,this is the going to be the first time in YEARS that I'm putting up a Christmas tree The hell with that scale LOL !!! My mental and physical health is better than it's been for years and I stopped focusing on that darn number !

Christmas is so fun. I am so glad you are focusing on the positive. You will get where you want to be with that attitude and it is contagious. Thanks for sharing.

[Ssedmak 3]

Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement. I feel so much better after reading everyone’s comments. I’ve put my scale away for now. I’ll weigh again at my next appointment. And @NickelChip thank you for the explanation. It makes a lot of sense.

[catwoman7 10,866]

I led one of the classes at my bariatric clinic (for pre-op patients) for three or four years (until the COVID lockdowns when they quit having the classes). I always, always, always told them about the three-week stall, because I've learned from these kinds of sites that most surgeons don't mention it, and people freak out when it happens. Since it happens to the vast majority of us, I'm really surprised it doesn't have a prominent place in people's surgery packets - and/or isn't mentioned in pre-op classes. I think we see this question here on BP twice a week. Surgeons (or anyone who teaches/leads pre-op classes) REALLY need to mention this...

Edited November 23, 2023 by catwoman7

[NickelChip 687]

3 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

I led one of the classes at my bariatric clinic (for pre-op patients) for three or four years (until the COVID lockdowns when they quit having the classes). I always, always, always told them about the three-week stall, because I've learned from these kinds of sites that most surgeons don't mention it, and people freak out when it happens. Since it happens to the vast majority of us, I'm really surprised it doesn't have a prominent place in people's surgery packets - and/or isn't mentioned in pre-op classes. I think we see this question here on BP twice a week. Surgeons (or anyone who teaches/leads pre-op classes) REALLY need to mention this...

All of the in-person groups and classes have stopped at my hospital, too. The nutritionist said maybe in 2024 they would start again. But too late for me! I had a group info/immersion class all the way back in August, and so much I've learned in research and from this site were never mentioned. I really think there should be in-person groups, either for just the hospital or for several programs in the area, where we could connect with people who are at the same stage and actually learn and discuss what to expect. It's really a shame.