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Hey ya'll, I was sleeved on August 1, 2011 and I lost 21 lbs during weeks 1&2. The reason why I'm frustrated is because I have been in a stall for exactly 3 weeks. Now, I know that a lot of ppl have gone thru this 3 week stall but, I haven't losed an inch for 3 weeks either. In fact I gained 5 lbs this past week, and I don't know WHAT IS GOING ON! After being stalled for 2 weeks my surgeon told me that I needed to up my fluids because I was only getting in about 30oz a day, so I increased my Water and have been drinking btn 64-80oz a day, and as a result I gained 5lbs. I'm getting in 64-90 oz of fluids, eating 4 times a day, walking 3 times a day (15 min. each as instructed) and still nothing. I have read these threads where they tell ppl ' Oh don't worry, even though your not losing weight you are definitely losing inches' Well not for me, and I feel very very discouraged. I have over 100 lbs to lose and I don't think that I will lose even 1/4 of that. HELP, because I don't know what I'm doing wrong. P.S: I know there are a lot of threads about these dreadful stalls but I needed to vent and get some advice, HOPE YOU'RE NOT ANNOYED.

At 3 weeks post op, I went into a 2 1/2 - 3 week stall. I freaked, but found out by searching this site that it is completely normal. My favorite snacks: Hormel Turkey pepperoni slices (17 slices = 70 cals, 0 carbs, 9 gr protein) These travel real well in a little ziploc in my purse...ok with no refrigeration for the day! cheese stick (also keeps ok in my purse for a day) Snack packs of tuna or chicken salad (in the snack cans..no need to refrigerate) Kavli Crispy flatbreads (whole grain) and a laughing cow wedge Jerkey Mini Baby Bell Light Cheeses

Look up the the "3 week stall". Many stall out for up to 4 weeks early on. I did. Then things get better. Who knows why.... the body does what it wants. unflavored protein powders are not unflavored. That being said, you can add them to other things that you like, pea soup? crystal light? refried beans? cottage cheese? This will help you get by until you can eat more regular foods. Good luck and you are doing great!

So it’s been 3 weeks since my VSG surgery. And can I tell you, WHAT a 3 weeks it’s been. I feel like a completely new person!!! I have energy, I willingly take my kids swimming (in a bathing suit… gasp!) and I look forward to the gym. Now for the (impressive, if I do say so myself) weight loss stats: I have lost a total of 22 lbs in 3 weeks!! I have stalled for the last week or so, but I’ve lost inches, so I’m not super concerned. In fact, I’ve more than 4 INCHES off of my waist in 3 weeks. So yeah, awesome to say the least!!! And I've experienced literally ZERO hunger since surgery. food just isn't exciting to me anymore. I did the 2 week pre-op diet, had surgery and had to modify my eating after surgery and I had to deal with my husband and other family members. I’ll go ahead and describe each of those items in a bit of detail. First, the pre-op diet: I had a strict 3-4 Protein shake menu, plus 1 small “Lean Cuisine” type meal per day. All in all, my diet is less than 1,000 calories per day. Since I had done the HMR diet in years past, which was surprisingly easy for me, I just went ahead and did that diet again – 5 shakes and 1 small pre-packaged meal. Very easy. I’m not saying that I never got hungry or had cravings, but with the volume of protein that I was ingesting, it was hard to stay hungry for long. And I had a big goal in mind – my surgery date of 8/8/11. Right after starting the pre-op diet, I attended the pre-op class. It was ALL DAY and went through blood tests, hospital check in, the post-diet surgery, the hospital stay and all post-op prescriptions. It was very thorough and thankfully they gave me a binder with all the info in it, because there was a guy in my class who (I kid you not) was the most annoying person on earth. He interrupted the doctor and nurse about every other minute with some personal concern (I knew his entire life history after this class), and he asked the same question multiple times. Now, I GET wanting to get your questions answered, but I made sure that I had asked all my personal questions ALONE with my doctor during my individual appointment. Anyway, it was hard to listen to what they were saying when that guy kept talking – I sort of stopped listening. But when I got home, I made sure to review the binder in detail. The day before surgery, I was allowed to eat a REAL Breakfast but only liquids after that. I was too nervous to eat honestly, so I just had my normal Protein Shake day but I skipped the “real food” dinner that night. I also had to shower the night before with Hibicleanse antibacterial soap, sleep on clean (washed in super hot water) sheets and PJ’s, and then take another Hibicleanse shower the next morning. They weren’t taking any chances with infections, thank goodness. I was scheduled for surgery at 8 am the following morning and I had to arrive at the hospital at 5:30 am. I ended up having a coworker drive me to the hospital and drop me off (she’s totally awesome, like an older sister that I never had). My husband had to get our 2 little girls ready for preschool that morning, so he was going to come to the hospital when I was still in surgery. So, I arrive at the Sharp Memorial Hospital at 5:30 am and I’m called back to the “S.P.A.” area to get prepped. Basically, I took off my clothing, they made me take another pregnancy test and they hooked up my IV. Then I sat and waiting for another hour or 2. The anesthesiologist came in to talk to me. Now, the one thing I made SURE to do was to tell him that during my last (and only) other surgery, I felt awful for about a day afterward because the anesthesia had made me so nauseated. Like I couldn’t walk without barfing – think seasickness or morning sickness times a thousand. And with a surgery on my stomach, I imagined that throwing up was NOT a good thing. And thank goodness I did that – no nausea at ALL after surgery. It was night and day different from my last surgical experience! Then my doctor came in, made sure I had no questions, and we were off to the operating room. I then moved over to the new bed in the room and the doctor told me he was giving me something to make me calm down a bit. Boy did it ever! I felt a bit drunk for about 2 minutes…. Then I woke up in recovery! Recovery: Now this was weird. I knew where I was and what was going on, I could hear everyone talking (nurses and doctors) and my brain felt like it was working OK… but I couldn’t open my eyes. Very weird! I lay like that for a few minutes before I was finally able to open my eyes. Then I got some pain medication, even though I wasn’t in pain, and fell asleep again. I woke up while being moved to my new room. And let me tell you, my room was AWESOME! Totally private and in the new wing of the hospital, and it was a corner room with ceiling to floor windows that overlooked pretty much all of San Diego. I totally lucked out with the room! My nurses were great, too. I was up and walking within an hour or so of getting to my room, and I had little to no pain. It was very surprising and, like I said before, a completely different experience from when I had my gallbladder removed 2 years prior. I had 5 very small incisions that really didn’t hurt. I was able to suck on ice chips for the first day with no problems, and then I was moved to Propel Water the next day. I did manage to disconnect my IV line (there was a connection in the middle of the line from the bag to the needle in my arm) while in the bathroom. I didn’t notice until I saw blood everywhere on the floor. That was a bit scary! But the nurse came right away (like within 10 seconds) reconnected me without having to run a new IV and I was as good as new. I was discharged the next day. OK, now for the family drama. I didn’t tell anyone about the surgery with the exception of a few people – my husband, my awesome coworker, my boss and my Aunt who has gastric bypass a year ago. That was it. I didn’t tell people because of my husband’s reaction. He was 100% completely and TOTALLY against the surgery. We fought about it for over 6 months, and he went so far as to schedule a shoulder surgery the WEEK before my surgery in an attempt to get me to cancel. (A side note, he’s needed shoulder surgery for years, but he decided to do it right before mine at the very last minute). Poor guy – not only did I not cancel, but he was left taking care of 2 preschool girls with one arm in a sling. That backfired for him badly. Anyway, now that the surgery is over and I’m not dead (that was his big concern obviously) and he can now see how great I feel, how much more energy I have (especially for certain “things” that I didn’t have much interest in before.. wink, wink) and how much better that I look, he’s much better about the whole thing. He’s turned from 100% NOT supportive, to completely supportive. Thank GOD! The other family drama that I had was with my Aunt. She knew I wasn’t telling anyone – I made it a point to tell her right off the bat that I wasn’t sharing with ANYONE until I was ready- but what does she do?? She calls my SISTER and tells her. So my sister was frantically trying to reach my husband to find out what’s going on with me, how I’m doing, etc. So now the cat’s out of the bag. My sister is very supportive, and I was going to tell her, but I wanted to do so on my own time, and I kinda wanted to surprise everyone in a few months with the “new” me. Now I also have to tell my parents because they would be devastated if they found out second hand. But, whatever… nothing I can do about it now. Anyway, that’s my story in a nutshell. I really can’t believe I’ve done it, and it was SO incredibly easy for me. I was expecting some problem, some complication or lots of pain, but I got nothing. No energy loss, pain, nausea, nothing. I was back to work a week early (after only a week) and I actually worked from home starting on the Thursday after my Monday surgery (I was bored and I’m a bit of a workaholic). This whole process has been a dream. I just wish that this DAMN 3 week stall would let up!!!

Just came off 3 week stall and have dropped 4lbs in 4 days...the last few weeks played havoc on my mind but should of known eventually it has to come off ....eating right and moving so just have to be patient

Sorry no weight loss in a few weeks - you have heard of the dreaded 3 week stall (talking about week 3 not losing anything for a week or two). I have more questions for you than answers. You acknowledge a couple of items - first that you are eating ahead of schedule and next that you are just now starting to walk. Stick to the diet since initally you do not have full signals. Measure everything and stick to food on diet plan provided from your surgeons office. Give your stomach time to heal. Questions: How many calories are you eating a day? How many grams of Protein? How many grams of carbs? How much liquids are you getting in? Are you eating and drinking at the same time? What does your surgeons office say? Are you taking your suppliments? If you were further along - my advice to those who stall is to shake routine - both eating and excercise rountine up a litte. Sounds like you need to get into ketosis. This is your "sweet spot" goal for first several months. If you are really concerned, talk to your surgeon at your one month check up and have them check blood. Good luck!

Most people stall around 3 weeks, just do a search of 3 week stall and you will be amazed at how many posts there are. Also dehydration can make you feel extremely nauseous so you might need to get rehydrated by iv, many people deal with that too. Personally I don't think you need to worry so much about the protein shakes, get in what you can, try adding protein to jello or pudding too to get some additional protein in but your body will be fine. I have not been able to tolerate protein drinks since surgery and I did liquids for 2 weeks pre-op and about 7 weeks post op due to complications yet my labs at 3 months were fine. The MOST important thing is staying hydrated. Try different temps of water, some deal better with hot, some with cold, some with room temp, also many people use CrystalLite (sp?) to change it up some.

Wow! This was just the thread I needed to read! I have been feeling this way during a 3 week stall. It is so good to know this feeling of "this won't work for me" is common and that even the people who have already reached their goal felt this way at one point. Thanks everyone!

Search this site for 3 week stall and you'll get LOADS of hits. It's very very common and it'll pass. Just hang in there and stay positive!

Hi Jinjin, I just started week 10 post op. I had 2 stalls within 8 weeks. My first 4 weeks were awesome...lost 30 lbs. Then at week 5 I came to a screeching halt...I even gained close to 3 lbs in weeks 5, 6, and 7. Yes, I had a 3 week stall and was freaking out the whole time!!! Reading these boards helped me so much. I stopped weighing myself every day, now just weigh-in every other day. Somewhere between week 8 and 9 I stalled again for a few days...BUT, after all is said and done...Since July 1st (the date my first stall started) I have lost another 7 lbs. And I'm good with that. If you look at some postings of long-time sleevers, you see the number of lbs. lost really go down after the 1st and second month. I've realized it isn't how fast I get it off, but that I KEEP getting it off...and ultimately that it stays off. I was complaining on previous posts that when I stalled at about 30-35 lbs, this was the same amt I've lost on countless other diets, it felt like the same old bad vibe. BUT with my pre-op diet loss, I am at 45 lbs. lost. Now that is a new one for me! I have not seen this weight since I was a teen. And now I know, the weight loss may stall, but it will not stop anytime soon. Stop worrying! You WILL keep losing and you will become happier and healthier! It took me a week or 2, but now I'm not worried, I am just trying to stick to the rules...and rule#1 for me, low carbs...40g or under a day if I can; less than 1000 cal a day if I can, and all my Water. Exercise is my issue right now, but it may not be a coincidence that when it increased, my weight decreased and my stall broke. I am a very "the glass is half full" kind of person, and this is what I now say to myself: "I CAN'T wait for my next stall !!!" Because that means between now and then I will lose some weight, and then once the stall is over, I will lose again!!! Yay for stalls!! (I know, I know...get over myself! ) Take care, I hope some of these words are helpful to you.

I was on 50 mg lisinipril and within a week needed to reduce, I am now down to 30 mg. At one week post-op my BP dropped to 90/50 ish... I adjusted (self directed) to 40 mg and monitored for 4 days, never getting above 97/70...at 30 mg now, my dizziness is gone and I'm averaging about 110/75. I haven't lost any weight per se since hitting my 3 week stall, so the bp has also stabalized. Understand, it's not just the weight loss...but the severe reduction in food and sodium. lol

Hello, Well I think our bodies are really fighting for a good reason, I had my immunity going downward after excessive weightloss, and I started to get sick ALOT! virus here, eye infection, bacteria running my tongue and throat and other stuff. SO I asked multiple doctors about it and they confirmed that slow and steady is way better, WELL I didnt ask for fast pace it happened to all of us in the begining, now with stalling I HATE MYSELF! and I keep thinking the same negative things! but I rewind all what have been said by doctors and I feel better that my body is protecting me. Hold on this stall will pass, keep shaking things up, and be here!! DONT MISS IT HERE, it is an eye opener everytime! NO Matter what ur news is u dont need to write it just have the support u need by reading. I am sure ur weight will start dropping again and U WILL DEF. STALL AGAIN!! so lets always support each others, mentally and may be physcially as they are all connected:) PS: BTW I never had the 3 week stall, I had my 3 month later stall:) cheer up all xOX

Well Mystee.. I totally understand! I have been doing the same thing but it's probably when we need to be in here reading the most. I have read many people have a dreaded 3 week stall. So... I'm looking for relief around the week of the 7th of this month. We will see! I did notice that you are in ONEderland so congrats for that!

I just wanted to let everyone know there is hope if you're in a stall. I am only about 6 weeks out so I'm early but I did suffer through an almost 3 week stall. Which means the majority of my weight loss thus far has been from pre-op diet and first 3 weeks after surgery. I was losing 1 lb a day and then I lost NOTHING for 3 straight weeks. It was driving me insane b/c I am not getting to eat my favorite foods, when I do eat it's a few bites and yet no movement on the scale at all. Very frustrating and depressing. I'm walking and I'm following the rules. Then every morning...nothing. In fact I even went up 2 lbs and then down and then up and then down. The same 2 lbs! Well finally this week the scale decided to move again. I'm back to losing 1 lb a day. Crazy, right? I have done NOTHING different. Same thing, same level of exercise. So now I must remember the next time I stall to just chill out. Everyone told me to wait it out but a part of me believed that my body was going to defy all scientific logic!

I've been a little reserved over the whole dreaded "3 week stall" and so I am trying to encourage myself. This is what occurred to me: 1) I haven't weighed in 3 days (YAY for me) Does that count as a NSV or is it an anti-NSV? lol 2) I have successfully gotten ALL my Protein in since the day I started Protein drinks and am now able to do it with only 1 Protein shake per day They aint fancy, but I'll take 'em!

Welcome Ahhhh the dreaded 3 week stall...just keep on keeping on and it will break! I too wish I had known about VSG waaaay earlier in life, I would have totally had it done at 29 yrs. old right after my daughter was born. It's all good, I really really do feel my latter is definitely greater than my former and I'm now walking in all the blessings God has for me

How is a 35 pound drop in two months ....including a 6 week stall... not F'n fantastic!!? That is as good as it gets girl, and don't you forget it! Congrats on getting through the infamous 3 week stall... mine lasted 4 weeks and was pretty demoralizing, but this weight is not supposed to ALL come off in two months.

There is this thing called the "3 week stall" - a stall that usually occurs around the 3rd week after surgery. You and I both are entering that time frame. It is completely normal for us to stall at this point. I haven't lost any weight in a week. IT WILL PASS THOUGH. Meggiep had posted this link before, but I think it's a good one because it describes what happens when our bodies stall. http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html My surgeon and dieticians say to NOT weigh yourself daily, but to do it at the very most weekly. The reason is your weight fluctuates on a daily basis. At the last support group meeting, there was a gentleman who had the sleeve done 2 weeks before me and he was pissed that he had lost 43 pounds in 2 weeks, but nothing since. He said that he destroyed (literally through it out the window onto the patio where it shattered) his scale when he weighed himself one morning and then AGAIN an hour later and found it went up 3 pounds. Everyone who had surgery, the psychologist that was there and the dietician all said in one voice - don't do that! If you weigh yourself frequently, you're just gonna make yourself crazy when the scale starts bouncing around like that. Weigh yourself once per week. Trust your surgeon and dietician - they know what they are doing. Follow their plan and stick to it. It WILL WORK.

I've had no complications and a pretty typical recovery from surgery. The first month after surgery I lost 30 lbs and then had a 3 week stall. I have now lost about 4 more lbs. Beware of the first stall, it messes with your mind, not just your body!

So I am seriously talking stalls that last more than a week, not 2-4-5 days stalls! lets share experiences, I happen to hit a HUGE one now after my 3 month post op I Am currently having a 3 weeks stall! YUCK! Mine goes as follows: 1- I consume a lot of water more than 100 OZ a day 2- I eat reasonably 3- I find my capacity is getting bigger at 3 month post op ( but not hugely bigger) just more bites 4- I didnt exercise the first 2 weeks of this stall but happen to drop in the gym for some swimming the last week and also I was SO ACTIVE going to weddings and dancing and stuff like that. Now no matter what I DO and what I dont do, the scale is standing still:) Even when I exercise it is as if nothing happened. One day the scale went up 1.5 pounds and then the next day it is back to the normal stalling weight! SO How was urs?! how did u feel?! for me I am terrified that this is it! although deep inside I know I KNOW! there is more coming but it just crush ur positive energy and I AM Not giving in!! I AM CHOOSING TO PUSH PUSH PUSH! SO please share ur feelings:) I have about 41 lbs till goal and I already lost 39 since surgery:)

I know I am not in a stall yet. However, I also know that I'm approaching one. Today is my "official" weigh in day. Since Thursday of last week, I have lost a grand total of 0.2 pounds! I had weighed in on Thursday because I had a support group meeting that night and wanted the "up-to-date" weight loss number. From Tuesday to Thursday last week, I had lost a couple of pounds. I know - it is still a loss and I should be happy about that - and I am. However, the weight loss is really slowing down now. I also know the stall is inevitable and completely normal. I'm just disappointed that it is happening so soon - after all, I was just sleeved 2 weeks ago today. I was hoping the "3 week stall" would happen a couple of weeks later for me. Last Tuesday, TOM visited, but I still lost weight despite his visitation. I figured it was because the visit was so close to my surgery the reason why I continued to lose. On the other hand, I wonder if TOM might be playing into my slowing loss right now. Sorry, I just needed to vent.

OK, so I was all brave with my talk of how I was all mentally prepared for the inevitable “3 Week Stall”. Yeah, big talk sister! Then after no weight loss since last Thursday, I got socked, like an old fashioned cartoon this morning, WHAM! Picture me (or not) in the bathroom, buck naked with my mouth hanging open, standing on my scale and yelling, “GAINED A POUND??! ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!” Not a pretty sight! I’m sort of slogging around in the denial stage right now. “…more water…must have more water…” OK, so I know some of you are gonna say that I should stop weighing every day; but shoot, the novelty hasn’t worn off yet. Maybe it just did…probably not, because I know that I’m going to have to work it out and machinate the heck out of this thing, at least the first time. It’s just the way I do things. Grrrrr So anyway, what do I do? I go running straight to this forum and search “stall” and read just about every post that has anything to do with the word stall!! OK, I got through 2 pages full—there are a LOT of us talking about “stall”. The more I read, the more normal I felt (hahaha, that alone was worth the price of admission!) and I stumbled across this amazingly succinct explanation of why we stall. Now, this makes sense to me and I can deal with it a little more rationally (Lord, I hope that’s not gonna earn me another “yeah, big talk sister!”) Thanks to meggiep for posting this link! I thought it was worth bumping up! The WHY behind the STALL Thanks for listening. I hope this link makes someone else feel "normal." Taking life another salty slice at a time... Susan