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Did you stall after three weeks of losing or at the start of your third week?

The definition of a stall is three weeks or more without a downward change in your weight. Since the last time your scale moved was on day ten, this doesn't even qualify as a true stall yet. I know it's frustrating, but you are barely three weeks out of the gate and your body is in total freakout mode. The last thing it is wanting to do is give up the weight. But guess what? It will have no choice. Soon enough it will do what you're waiting for it to do and the scale will start moving in the right direction again. Hang in there!

I had a good three week stall beginning 2nd week of December and just ending this past week! I was sleeved on 11/12 so it started at four weeks post op. I am most definitely the slowest loser on these boards -

What is a stall? How long does it last and how do I break it? A stall is a point at which the scale stops moving for a period of time. The length of the stall varies from a few days to a few weeks and sometimes a few months. Non VSG’ers typically call it a plateau. Stalls are perfectly normal and to be expected. As we lose weight so dramatically, our bodies need time to catch up physically - this typically happens during a stall. While the scale may not be moving, you may notice an increase in compliments. This is because while the number on the scale isn’t getting any smaller, you are physically getting smaller. There are many tips and tricks for breaking a stall (increase your fluids and Protein, increase your activity, up your calories…) but the reality is it will break on its own. I am three and half weeks out and have had 2 stalls already. Rather than panicking, I tend to welcome them as I understand their purpose. I think of it this way: Only you can see the progress on the scale as the numbers drop. Others can see the progress of your body changing that comes from a stall. It has it's perks. Good luck.

I'll hit the six month mark in a week. I'm down 103 lbs. I started at 301 when I began pre-op diet the week before surgery and am now 198. I want to loose another 48 lbs. I've been at a stall for two or three weeks now. I've actually gained a pound or two and then it will come back off. I freaked the first time I went up two pounds but I'm sure it was just water weight or constipation. That's happened to me a couple of times now and I always freak out when it does. I have to remind myself that all women bloat at various times of the month (even the skinny ones). Also when I've had periods of extreme constipation, I have stalled or gained but once I get everything functioning normally again, I'll drop those couple of pounds quickly. I think it's all part of the process and I try to not get hung up on it. During my few stalls, I just keep exercising, up my proteins and reduce my starches. My nutritionist says that avoiding starches (even the healthy whole wheat options) when your BMI is above 30 will help you loose faster. Once under 30, they still recommend limited starches. I was told to expect the weight loss to slow these next six months but that you'll still lose. They said a year rather than six months was the big milestone when you really have to work at losing. That the surgery will take you through the first year and then its more about me and my choices. I'm trusting in that and hoping that these new habits will get me to where I want to be.

I had my surgery o the 18th of Sept and have lost 60 lbs. But, the last three weeks not an ounce. I had a three week stall. Has anyone had a four month stall!?

What is a stall? How long does it last and how do I break it? A stall is a point at which the scale stops moving for a period of time. The length of the stall varies from a few days to a few weeks and sometimes a few months. Non VSG’ers typically call it a plateau. Stalls are perfectly normal and to be expected. As we lose weight so dramatically, our bodies need time to catch up physically - this typically happens during a stall. While the scale may not be moving, you may notice an increase in compliments. This is because while the number on the scale isn’t getting any smaller, you are physically getting smaller. There are many tips and tricks for breaking a stall (increase your fluids and Protein, increase your activity, up your calories…) but the reality is it will break on its own. I am three and half weeks out and have had 2 stalls already. Rather than panicking, I tend to welcome them as I understand their purpose. I think of it this way: Only you can see the progress on the scale as the numbers drop. Others can see the progress of your body changing that comes from a stall. It has it's perks. Good luck.

Don't forget to track how much and what you are eating. I like using My Fitness Pal. It really helped me in the beginning because it made me more aware of what nutrients I was getting in. My focus has always been to try to hit at least 80 grams of Protein. And, I had a three week stall that started week 3. They happen. I know it can be discouraging to NOT see the weight come off, but it will. I also learned early on to not weigh myself daily. Our bodies will fluctuate in weight day to day, even morning compared to night. Why? The food and fluids we eat/drink that is still in the system will increase our weight temporarily (and don't forget the other bodily functions). Pick a day and time to weigh yourself once a week. I swear it will help keep your sanity intact.

AGAIN ..I WISH we had a member who was great with graphic design who could collaborate on a VSG Inforgraphic that went by a general timeline. With neat graphics and colors and arrows that showed you the path. For example in PART I - PRE-OP section -- Stage I - SELF EDUCATION - Research the surgical options using web resources, asking those who have had surgeries, books, etc. Develop a list of questions that you would like answered as you learn. Research which hospitals in your area offer surgical options. Read their web sites. Call and ask questions of them. Learn what insurance options they provide and what their costs are if you are self-pay. Stage II - INFORMATIONAL SEMINAR - Attend a seminar on bariatric surgery. It may not be at the hospital you want to use, but go to one anyway and learn as much as possible. You may want to attend several. During this stage try to attend a seminar at your hospital of choice and call or email them and ask if they will email or mail any documents to you so that you can look over them. Again, add to your list of unanswered questions. As you learn more you will also have more questions. Stage III - DECIDE ON A PROVIDER - blah blah ... insurance documents, tests, pre-op diet, scheduling surgery Stage IV - follow through with STAGE III. Be compliant with your program. Blah blah. PART II - SURGERY Stage I - What you need to know and have ready prior to surgery. What to expect. Variations in days off from work, travel for those going out of country, etc. etc. Stage II - Recovery Stage III - The first four weeks. What to expect. Common issues. PART THREE - NEW LIFESTYLE Various stages ..I'm getting tired of typing.... PART FOUR - Some kinda title here like, maybe ...THE FIRST SIX MONTHS Various stages ... Your hair is going to fall out. You are going to stall ...blah blah blah... PART FIVE - FROM NOW ON More stuff here PART SIX - YOU SCREWED UP Arrow goes back to earlier stage

What Exactly Is A Stall? The last time I was on Weight Watchers (June 2011 through February 2012), I lost an average of .9lbs every week and I followed the program religiously. Forum members report first month losses of 20, 30, and even 40 pounds and then refer to a two- to three-day hiatus as a stall?! I don't get that. The body morphology has to catch up with the tremendous weight loss. That necessary phenomenon isn't a stall. A "stall" is what I experienced during my last month on Weight Watchers: no movement at all in close to 30 days. A massive weight loss of 20, 30, and 40lbs in one month cannot reasonably be referred to as a stall. I am only 29-days post-op but what I see is a two- to three-day "body adjustment (or catch-up) period" followed by another one- to two-pound drop on the scale. This is normal. You can't expect to see the scale drop every single day for an extended period of time. No one loses weight like that, not even malnourished cancer patients in the end stages of their disease. What I've noticed is that during this "body adjustment period," I will not lose pounds but mass. My stomach will tighten a bit more and areas that used to have fat will have less (or no) fat. On many other forums, they have a list of definitions of commonly used terms that members can refer to. Maybe we can agree that a "stall" means no movement on the scale for a minimum of seven days when weight loss was reasonably expected. Obviously, if I am consuming 3,000 calories a day, I can't reasonably refer to my failure to lose weight as a stall because I shouldn't expect to lose any weight. The point of this post is not to be picayune (nor is this directed at anyone in particular) but to alert forum members to the fact that, when it comes to weight loss, mindset is everything. If you expect to see the scale drop every single day for weeks and weeks on end, you are unnecessarily setting yourself up for frustration, disappointment, and resentment. I have lost 23lbs in 29 days: that's just over 1/3 of my excess weight in less than one month. The scale doesn't move every day nor do I expect it do. If I had experienced even 25 percent of this kind of weight loss on Weight Watchers, I NEVER would have signed up for the surgery. Do you know how long it took me to lose 23 pounds on Weight Watchers? It took 26 very difficult weeks or half-a-year! This surgery has expedited my weight loss by a factor of 83 percent! Should I be bummed-out, depressed, and resentful because my scale remains still for as many as three continuous days at a time? Should I refer to that three-day hiatus as a stall? Of course not. Knowing what to expect and having reasonable goals are critically important to maintaining a healthy and positive mindset.

I am only three weeks out and I have had a couple of stalls, but the way I see it is this- if you are only taking in 500 or so calories a day, is it logical that if you maintain that caloric intake, you won't ever lose any more weight? No, it isn't. Stalls are totally natural and normal. Our bodies think we are starving, so it hangs on to the pounds for dear life, until it can't anymore. We have not evolved much past the caveman days, if at all. LOL -Kendra

There is normally a stall around week three or so and you will stall-- I call them PAUSES, actually--- now and again throughout your journey. I read somewhere that we don't lose pounds and inches at the same time. While you're 'pausing', you're probably dropping inches from all over. Your body needs some time to adjust itself. You just dropped 30 lbs. It can't keep going like that without some kind of recovery. Push through the break, stay on food and keep advancing your diet. Focus on Proteins and get in your Water. It will pick back up!

I have been at a stall since Christmas. Lost 20 lbs then week three total brick wall. Worst part is I'm hanging right around 200- 204. I want to be in the 100's sooo bad!!!

My 'three week stall' hit at 2.5 weeks and didn't lose an ounce- the scale actually went up twice- for 2 weeks. Then I dropped 5lbs over night. Just try and keep your protein high and keep your fluid intake up and the scale will go. BTW- I had lost 26lbs when mine hit and I'm currently in another stall and have been since Christmas. It sucks- but it's all part of the process

You're in what's known around here as the 3 week stall. Many people have a big stall sometime in the first three weeks. This article will help explain why. Just be patient. Weight Loss Stall or Plateau A weight loss stall or plateau is an extended period of time during reducing efforts where is there is no weight loss according to the scale and no loss of inches according to the tape measure. This is why it is so important to take your body measurements before surgery, so you'll have a reference as your weight loss progresses post-op. We suggest you take measurements of your chest, waist and hip, neck, upper arm, thigh and calf. Be aware it is very common for your weight loss to "stall" shortly after surgery. Diana explains the reason for this below. The Inevitable Stall By Diana C. A "stall" a few weeks out is inevitable, and here's why. Our bodies use glycogen for short term energy storage. Glycogen is not very soluble, but it is stored in our muscles for quick energy -- one pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs of Water to keep it soluble, and the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs. So, when you are not getting in enough food, your body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. And when you use up 2 lbs of glycogen, you also lose 8 lbs of water that was used to store it -- voila -- the "easy" 10 lbs that most people lose in the first week of a diet. As you stay in caloric deficit, however, your body starts to realize that this is not a short term problem. You start mobilizing fat from your adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But your body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy -- like, to outrun a saber tooth tiger. So, it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. And as it puts back the 2 lbs of glycogen into the muscle, 8 lbs of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble. So, even though you might still be LOSING energy content to your body, your weight will not go down or you might even GAIN for a while as you retain water to dissolve the glycogen that is being reformed and stored. Breathe, and fuggedaboudit for a few days. What You Can Do About a Stall or Plateau If you are experiencing a post-op weight loss stall or plateau further out there are a few possible causes. First, check that are you really in a stall. If the scale has stopped moving you may be losing inches, so check your measurements. Too Many Carbs? Carbohydrates can start sneaking into your foods without you being aware of how quickly they are adding up. For more information on carbs, see our section on Carbohydrates. If you are struggling with your weight loss you may want to examine your daily carb count. You can try to keep your carbs under 50g a day and see if that makes a difference in your weight loss. Do not eat carbs before bedtime as it triggers insulin and initiates fat storage. There are some great web site resources you can use to keep track of what you are eating. Fit Day Spark People - If you join Spark People also join the DS group. The Daily Plate Calorie King For more tips on keeping a food journal see the Personal Nutrition Guide. Eating Enough? If you are under-eating or go more than 4-5 hours without eating, your body will shift into fasting mode, slow your metabolism and conserve your stored energy (fat). This can contribute to a weight loss stall or plateau. Make sure you are eating small meals or small Snacks throughout the day and also ensure you meet your daily Protein requirements. Try eating some protein with every meal or snack. For more information on protein requirements see our section on Protein. Drinking Enough? An adequate level of water in your body aids in the effective breakdown of fat. The daily minimum recommendation is 64 Fluid oz of water a day. If you are in ketosis you will need to drink even more water to ensure the ketones are flushed out of your system. You may also need more than the minimum amount of water if you are exercising or live in a warmer or dry environment. Exercising? Exercise can increase your metabolism and burn fat. Strength training will build muscles and will boost fat burning. In a stall you can try increasing your volume of exercise or changing up your routine to overcome a weight loss stall or plateau. If you have been doing mainly aerobic activity, try doing a bit of strength training, and if you have been doing mainly strength training, try an aerobic work-out. The High Fat - High Calorie Stall Buster Many DSers swear by the fat/calorie shock as an effective weight loss stall or plateau buster. Having a day of higher fat and calorie eating followed by a returning to consistent low carb eating can sometimes "shock" your body back into weight loss mode.

It's normal to feel frustrated at various points after surgery. The only advice I can offer is good advice (I'm sure many vets will agree with me, anyway) but it's not advice you'll want to hear. You can't control your rate of loss. You have to let go of any expectations that have to do with how rapidly you'll lose. You have to stop comparing yourself to the way other people lose. Easier said than done, I know. And if you search back far enough, you'll probably see grumpy posts from me because I lost more slowly than I wanted to lose, too. Vent. Come to the boards and vent, but then shake it off and read the RIGHT threads. The ones posted by those of us that lost slowly but still got to our goals and even better, maintained our goal weight. We're here - even if the more popular threads are the ones about folks that fly to goal in nine months! It took me seventeen months to lose 107 pounds. I had two nine week stalls along the way. There were months when I lost more than ten pounds a month and months where I lost less than three. I lost, on average, just barely over 6 pounds a month. I got to goal, I got to wear a size six/small and I am no less happy about that because it took me longer. Heck, even pregnant I'm still in a size six/small, just maternity clothes now! I've probably said this half a dozen times in the last week, but let go of your time goals. Focus less on how quickly you lose and more on building the foundation of good habits that you'll need to maintain goal once you get there. Good luck, and congrats on your new sleeve. Oh, and put that scale away for a few days before it makes you crazy! ~Cheri

This is a common stall called the "three week stall" Don't freak, your weight will come down after a while. At 2 1/2 weeks I had a 4 week stall. You are not eating enough to gain weight, so deep breath, things will be fine. Get your protein in, and sip sip sip. You need your water. Do not let yourself get dehydrated or you will have to go to the emergency room! It also makes you feel horrible. Logically you have to know you will not stay the same and stop losing forever. Come on girl! You will be fine!

I will be six months out on the 24th. I can eat anything without experiencing any problems, unfortunately during the holidays I let bad habits slip into my day. I got in the bad habit of snacking/grazing and ate carbs to my hearts content. My weight loss stalled. I decided jan 1st I would get back on track. I allow myself 4 meals a day with no snacking. After limiting my carbs for three painful days the cravings passed. I now have renewed energy and fervor for reaching my goal. I keep in my mind a vision of where I want to be. I know for the first time in my life I will experience the joy of success. I know you can too! You have an amazing tool, and have already come so far from where you were! You are worth it! I have been eating around 1100 calories, limiting my carbs to 80 grams (which I know is high for some but seems to work for me) I also started working out consistently. I have lost 4 pounds this week

These questions come up very frequently and they are all normal things that occur after weight loss surgery. Hair loss: Normal! There is really not many products that really work. It will end eventually. If you are having excessive hair loss then consult your doctor. Constipation: Constipation is normal when you are on a high protein diet. Again if you are having extreme issues and a little stool softener is not helping consult your doctor. Weight loss stalling: Normal! No diet in the world will not come with weight loss stalls. You just have to bear with it. Pain after surgery: Now I am not being rude but who has ever had surgery and not had any pain? I haven't. The severity depends on your ability to deal with pain. Some can and some can't. Gas: Normal. Any abdominal surgery you will have gas because your belly is filled with gas during surgery so they can see what they are doing. How long it stays is also indvidual. No one can tell you how long it is going to last. Diarrhea: Normal! Liquids in liquids out. No restriction: Normal! People get restriction confused as anything. Its not about keeping you from eating food its about keeping you satisfied for 3 to 4 hours or longer on small amounts of food. Until you reach your green zone you have to do some or not all of the work. Yeah it sucks but its the truth. Did I hurt my band: Probably not but if you continue to eat large amounts of food, drink and puke, get food constantly stuck because you are eating the wrong things then yes eventually you will hurt your band by causing erosion. Then your band will come out. Port Pain: Normal. The port area can hurt up to three months. Not normal things: Chest pain: this should never be posted in the forum unless you really are seeking attention. Go to the emergency room then tell us how you are doing. The time you spent posting in the forum you could have been on your way to the hospital. Leg Pain: Not normal. Could be a blood clot. Again do not post this in the forum go to the emergency room you could have a stroke in the time you posted this. Constant Vomiting: Not normal. Something is wrong and again call your doctor and or go to the emergency room. Throwing up with the band can cause slippage. Any kind of pain that you did not have post surgery is not normal. Constant heart burn: Not normal Not being able to keep any food or fluids down: Not normal. Seek medical attention. If you are having medical issues then call your doctor. Care enough about yourself to do that. We are not medical professionals to give you medical advice. Your surgeons are on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week if you are having medical issues. They are getting paid to take your call. Call them, they don't mind after all that is why they chose to be a surgeon and knew what came with the job when they took it. Why fear calling them and distubing them. To this day I still have my surgeons cell phone number and can call him day or night and he will always answer any questions I have if I am having an issue.

WARNING: CONTAINS A MOSTLY TMI POST Today, I'm having a bit of a rough time :[ On New Year's eve, I formed a sinus infection. I was and am still miserable. I've been using a neti pot and afrin, and that seems to help. I finally got my hands on some Mucinex D that my mother kindly paid for today. I just took a pill, so hopefully it will help with the sinus congestion. I wonder if the surgery is to blame, but I did just have a sinus infection in September, so I'm susceptible to them. Anyway, I have been experiencing constipation. I keep getting this feeling like I have to go, but nothing will come out. I bought smooth move tea, and like an idiot, I drank it this morning thinking it would take six hours. I had to go to walmart with my mom to get my tires replaced. She ate in subway, and I went to bathroom that was as hot as a sauna because I was getting intestinal pains. I went, and a little came out. I thought: no big deal, I'm fine. I walked around for about 10 minutes, and the pains came back full force. I ran to the bathroom, and I had so much pain I was moaning in agony. I started sweating, meanwhile it was literally 90 degrees in there. Every woman that came in complained how hot it was. it was so hot, their friends or family waited outside the bathroom for them. I started feeling like I was going to pass out. I didn't drink any water this morning besides the tea and to take some meds, and I only had one muscle milk and some oatmeal. I've passed out once before a few months ago from a painful bowel movement, and it felt like it was going to happen again. (I used to be very regular before surgery too, everyday. sometimes twice in one day). I tried calling my mother on her cell over and over to get me some cold bottled water. I sent a text and she finally heard a ping. I guess her call volume was off. Well, I was on the toilet, in a Walmart, for an hour. Everything came out. It was so hot, I had to take my socks off as well as the pants around my ankles. I didn't dare remove my shirt. NOT MY MOST REDEEMING MOMENT. IN A PUBLIC BATHROOM. I was covered in sweat and shaking so bad. I had tingling in my hands and feet. I wanted to flop to the floor and just lay there it was so painful and awful. Moral of the story, DON'T DRINK SMOOTH MOVE TEA DURING THE DAY, OR ANY LAXATIVES DURING THE DAY unless you have a comfortable place to have a bowel movement. I made it home in one piece. I'm now freezing and still shaking. I'm in sweatpants, sweatshirt, gloves, socks and slippers, under blankets as I write this. My other issue is that people say they hit a stall during week three, but I've been in a stall since week two, and I'm still in a stall now. I had my surgery on 12/17 and I stopped losing weight around the 26th of December. The scale hasn't budged since. I've been drinking enough fluids, but I'm thinking I need to up my protein. I usually get in 60 grams as per my doctor. But it might not be enough. I keep my calories around 800 or less, but maybe I need more?? Maybe my body really does feel like it's in starvation mode. I wonder if the PCOS has anything to do with it as well. I start exercising on Tuesday. So I hope that next week I'll see a few pounds drop. I think I need to be more diligent. Drink more, eat more, exercise and take my time as to not over exert myself.

I stalled for a while at 285 for like Weeks. But I had fallen down the stairs and hurt my tail bone so I didn't exercise for three Weeks as it was painful. This week I finally got back on track and glad to say I've lost a total of 52lbs!! Finally brought me a pair of Jeans today.. I'm a size 16!!!! Haven't seen that since high school..

Ladies feel your pain I lost really good first two weeks then stalled and even gained third week. Finally I have broken through. I begin to eat every three hours. Taking my surgoens advice I uped my calories a bit from 600-700 to 1000. This would help get me out of starvation mode. I don't know if will help you all but it did me. I know your frustration hope you see less of you soon

I hit a stall for two weeks but was still taking off inches. I was advices on here to eat every three hours. I was getting 700 to 800 calories and that bumped me to 1000. The scal started moving again the second day I did this!

Congrats to all those loosing! For those on the stall try eating every three hours! It worked for me. I was stall for two weeks. I was only getting 700 to 800 calories. I pushed it up to about 1000 eating every three hours. Made sure I got protein and fluids. I was so glad to see the scale move again.

I'm hating this stall that it appears a lot of folks get at the three week mark. It feels like its never gonna let up. I'm getting my fluids, protein, and exercise. But , man am I frustrated!!!!