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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!!!!

You are doing great!! I hit a three week stall that started week 3. It's a very normal feeling to be anxious regarding the surgery and weight loss. ("Am I a failure?" "What if this is it?") The weight will come off!

Hi everyone, I wanted to report back the scale is moving again. I started trying to get at least 1000 calories and eatting every three hours. I make sure I get my Protein but be sure it is not just protein. I am on to regular foods so I am trying to work the fruit and veggie back in. I am also drinking my 64 oz of Fluid. I was in a stall for a solid two weeks at 260/261 and today I wake at 258.6. I don't know what part of that made the stall end or if it just did so in spite of what I did but YAY the scale moved! I just want to share hope it works for you guys!

Finally broke 200 as of this morning, havent seen this weight since my first semester of college! I was hoping to be at goal by 6 months but that is not happening unless I can get 14 lbs off in the next three weeks. I had a stall for about 3 weeks or so and then just lost about 10 lbs in the past 2 weeks. Pretty sure I can't sustain that rate of loss through the 23rd though! Anyway, I feel great, and for those of you doubting your decision to have this surgery, give it time and it will work for you!!!! I owe a lot of the inspiration to this site so thanks to everyone for being so positive and for posting progress pics!

Looking back on this... so much is true. The emotions, the stall at three weeks, Hell week, etc. But you get through it.

I was sleeved on the 5th with no complications. Im down 54 pounds and have been cleared to eat anything since three weeks out. I stick to straight protein when I have my meals and substitute a protein shake when I am not able to consume a meal or achieve my protein goal of 120 grams. I have notice if I don't hit my fluid goals it gets harder to eat a meal the following day. I haven't hit a stall yet unless you call only being down 2 pounds for one week. Life has been great and I feel wonderful.

I am in the three week stall for two weeks now. I understand the frustration but what can we do. I am not eating too much and I am haveing out put if you know what I mean. I started today with the suggestion to eat every three hours to help the metabolism. Making sure I am getting my fluids and staying active. So like you I can only sit mad cause I went through all this and nothing is working! Date of surgery 277 2 week check up 257 Today 260 Very hard not to feel like it is not going to happen for me.

Yes I am three and a half weeks out and stalled too. Am doing everything I should. Feeling great and exercising every day but no movement on those scales. I do am hoping it will move again soon

So I am three weeks out and my period is late and I have been at a stall for a week and a day . I have not found a protein I was not allergic to as of now . Had a serious allergic reactions two weeks ago . Anyone out there with the same problem !!!!

I hate the three week stall I think I'm in it. It should go week 1,2,4,5,6. Haha

Hey this was the exact path I took. I was sleeved 12/5 at 277. 12/20 at 2 week visit I weighed 257lbs. The I started purée I went up to 261. I am at 260 this am. There is a lot of threads on here about 3 week stall guess that is what has got us. I am going to try eating every three hours starting tomorrow because some on here suggest that will help metabolism. I know it is frustrating and seems like the scale will not move but it will sooner or late. Best advice I have been given is to stop weighing everyday although I still do it is good advice LOL! Also look at inches loss. If you don't currently track this begin it will surprise you.

I too was sleeved 12/5. I was down 20 lbs but gained 2 and and have stalled since 12/21. I do see inches coming off but I wonder what my doctor will think when I see him on Thursday. 1st 2 Weeks loose 20 and second 2 weeks I gain 2. The three week stall seems to be holding on to me.

My cycle regulated within two months of surgery. I have endo, not PCOS. I found that my hormones just caused all sorts of issues. I had trouble with Mirena post op because my body didn't react the same way to the hormones and I could not lose weight with it in. I had mine removed. I'd go back to it as an option after this pregnancy, because it works very well for my endo (that's the only reason I take it, surprise pregnancy is not in the cards for me) but that's only because I'm not trying to lose weight any more. So watch the bc choices post op. If you notice that you react differently than before surgery, do not be surprised and be willing to consider other options. I also had the usual bloat and weight gain even after surgery. In fact, I only lost weight during about a ten day period each month. I would stay at one weight for about two weeks, gain a few pounds during my period and then shed any weight I'd lose that month in the final week to ten days of the month. With the exception of two stalls, this was my normal weight loss pattern. I think the hormone issues caused me to lose weight more slowly (just over six pounds a month) but I still reached goal. In my time here (three years registered, three and half including my lurk months) I've seen a huge number of women report improvements in their PCOS and endometriosis after losing a significant amount of weight. Be wary, because there are also a huge number of surprise pregnancies by women as their fertility increases and they weren't prepared with a birth control option! Good luck. It is totally normal to have a wacky cycle for a short time post op, and for some even for several months as your body adjusts to the rapid changes. I've read that our fat cells store hormones and as we lose weight they are released into the body. I'm not sure how true this is, but a number of us experience hormonal fluctuations that do crazy things to us after surgery, until our bodies adjust. ~Cheri

I am so thrilled and just had to share this because a few days back, I was feeling bummed about being stuck. I started adding up my numbers and getting panicked that my surgery was a waste of money. I know I am not alone in this as I had read similiar trains of thought on here as well. I was doing everything right, I was adjusting from pureed to solids a bit and stalled in week 4. Also, I have lost ten pounds now since I came home from surgery-lost 18 pounds in the first week. Some things I did change was incorporating simple exercize now, and also increased my Protein a bit. And VOILA! off went three pounds in two days. Also, I tried on my wedding dress as I got married in August this year, and wanted to see if it fit differently. It almost fell off of me! I was not at my highest weight...in fact about only ten pounds havier, but the inche are definitely less than when I wore that dress-it felt great! I have dug out all my old clothes and right now have a room full of piles of stuff...my jeans are falling down my butt....it feels great. Yay! Here i a pic of me in the dress that doesn't fit anymore...lol

I too had the three week stall and now again I have been in a stall for 11 days. I am going to be 16 weeks out tomorrow. It is very frustrating I know but we need to hang in there and know that the weight loss will continue.

I was sleeved on the. 10th and down 14 pounds. I am approaching the three week stall :/