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Three weeks or more at the same weight with no fluctuation. It's normal. For me, short stops and starts were the pattern my body made while losing. I lost on average just over 6 pounds a month, with two nine week stalls in there. In a typical month, I'd stay the same weight for a week, gain three pounds around my cycle, and have a sudden drop of several pounds within a four to six day period of time. Nothing I did to my diet made me lose any differently, so I used that time to work on my food issues and learn how to eat normally. Stalls happen. The important thing to remember is that we are all going to lose weight. To not lose the weight you want you would have to eat around your sleeve. That says nothing about how long it will take you, though! Some people lose very quickly and some lose very slowly. Most people are somewhere in the middle. But you will lose. Good luck, ~Cheri

I had a three week stall, and I think an 8 week stall (both fairly short) and now I'm in my worst one I have ever had, those other ones were annoying but this one is what the vets talk about. It totally happens, we do everything right and they happen. Don't worry, your body will get used to this and everything will be fine.

How exciting for you Tex. Bravo on pushing through the stall and bravo on not allowing that to get to you mentally. This is exactly why this forum is such an important tool for us. Sometimes it takes some common sense basic suggestion to get us back on track. I had the same issue and for me it was even more disheartening being that I hadn’t even reached the two week mark at that point. I stalled and the scale just wouldn’t budge for three days and then when I posted my frustration Amy suggested that I wasn’t getting enough water perhaps. I have upped my water intake for the past four days and the weight now is coming off. I’m hoping to continue posting my success. Thanks to all. We will get through this but we have to remain committed to posting especially when we are stalled. As always my best!!

@@Seastars You said "I just didn't think losing weight with the sleeve would be this hard. I read posts about the three-week stall, but that's AFTER someone loses, like, 30 pounds or so!" My 3 week stall was at 23 lbs, and I started with a BMI of 41 and no pre-op diet so no weight loss. My high weight was my day of surgery weight. I'm in my 5th week and still not at 30 lbs lost. And don't forget that men tend to lose faster than women, especially if they start at a much higher weight. Hang in there...I'm still eating 500-600 cals/day, I can't get to 800 and I think it may be inhibiting my weight loss. I'm walking, using the elliptical, doing some arm and leg weight work, etc...it'll come off.

Yes, it is normal. Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process of losing weight. We all experience stalls, and almost everyone experiences a stall about three weeks after surgery. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I stalled from week three to week four. Finally down another 2 lbs. yay! It will come off just be patient. Not easy i know.

Hi Everyone- Boy, I've really been gone longer than I thought! Had a heavy workload past few weeks and lots of kiddo activities to chauffeur. Well, I'm late to the stats, but here goes. Pre- Surgery weight - 272 Surgery day( 2/11) - 269 Today (9 weeks out) - 235 Moving slow and a bit discouraging since I'm in a second stall for two weeks. But, honestly, I've not been as good with Protein and Water intake being so busy. I've also eaten more carbs, although I'm getting about 800 calories a day. Want to recommit to following rules more closely and hopefully push through this wall. April, I'm curious; you mentioned the release of fat also releasing hormones. Did you read that? If so where? I'm wanting to understand better what is happening to my body. Still trying to get use to it changing and not having a real idea of how I look vs. how I feel inside. Disorienting. For a of you still in pain and discomfort, it does get better each week. You get more used to how your stomach works. I still struggle with eating to fast, then after three bites feel full and everyone else around me is just getting started. But, I wouldn't change this decision for anything. I really believe it was necessary for me and I'll put up with the new issues for the weight loss, because they really are easier to deal with.

well let me say this im in a stall so start pulling out your hair please!Your post made me come out of the shadows to tell you and others dont forget what things were like before wls or should i say 122lbs ago when you werent thinking about clean eating(congrats by the way)but for me i dont have a doctor i had to go out of the country and pay for this out of pocket so you darn right im going to be concerned when i see that my scale has moved up in the last three months,and its not fear for me its concern and the one thing i have to turn to is this forum to learn from others that have made it thru this.Because of this forum and other people who have hit stalls made it clear to me that i had to help my sleeve so i started drinking Protein shakes everyday for the last three weeks ive also incorperated walking every chance i get i started at two miles and now im at three miles,even if i get home at 11pm i go hit that track in the dark im just that determined ive also stopped drinking coffee and as we speak i havent had a cigarrette in seven days, dont get me wrong i am grateful for the 80lbs lost since 11-29-12 but i dont need to see a 4lb gain in the last three weeks and i do my best not to forget how i felt before surgey when i couldnt walk up my stairs without feeling like i was going to die or walk to the mailbox without my back hurting or when i couldnt bend over and tie my shoes,i remember taking a shower was a job becuase of all those hard to reach areas and look at me now walking three miles with no problem,or parking my riding mower and started using my push mower and let me not forget being able to feel my clothes bagging on me and being able to bend over and tie up my shoes so i need people on this forum to talk about things of all wls concern no matter how much its posted.even when im close to my goal weight i need to be more mindful when dealing with others who are struggling to get to where i am.I have a good friend thats complains about his weight everyday but still eats all the wrong foods that will only allow him to gain more and even thow i get tired of hearing his complaints and want to say to him "quit bitchin and do something about it" i dont i just remember that for the grace and mercy of God there goes i.So just think how many people are on this forum just like me that needs others to talk about there experiences with weight loss surgery good or bad. And again i didnt risk going to another country and putting my life on the line to gain weight hellllllllllll noooooooooo. '

^This. That's always been my advice too. Just keep following the doctor's plan. Don't "up your protein" or "lower your carbs". Just follow the plan. Our body's need the stall to catch up. Do I LIKE the stalls? No, but knowing they happen helps. I'm glad I read about the stall that usually happens around week 3. Mine lasted three weeks. Did I get upset? No, because I knew it would happen.

Well written post...as a bandster who's six months out of surgery, I can tell you some of the things I've learned: 1. Overall, my weight is down. Do I lose every day/week? No. But, as long as the trend is generally down, life is good! 2. Do I exercise? Nope. Every once in a while I'll go jump on a treadmill or in a pool, but my body hasn't needed the infusion of regular exercise yet to lose weight. When I plateau, I'll get into it. For now? I only exercise when I feel like it. I do not live a sedentary lifestyle, so I'm sure that helps. 3. Restriction is a double edged sword. I was filled to 8cc in my 14cc band about mid-March...I lived for a month and a half on that fill, still being able to eat most foods but in lesser quantities. After a month and a half of that fill, realizing that I was still hungry most of the time, I pushed my doctor to fill me up to 9cc at the end of May...and then I went on a three and a half week vacation. I couldn't eat ANYTHING without PBing it back up (yes, I took small bites, chewed, etc.) and was miserable with chest pains all day from even trying to eat. That malnutrition cost me a month of weight stalling - my body was starving and refused to let me lose weight. I got back a few days ago, got unfilled back to 8cc and have lost almost 4 pounds in just a couple of days because I'm eating again. Be careful what you wish for in your restriction... 4. The LapBand is not a "miracle pill" or an "easy way out." For those of you thinking you were going to lose a million pounds in a few months...you should have opted for liposuction or gastric bypass. I chose LapBand because it is the HEALTHIEST TOOL on the market...I don't eat nearly as much as I used to, I don't get as hungry as I used to...but the food choices are still ON ME. I could have started the day with eggs, sausage, bacon, waffles, hash browns, etc...but here I sit working on a serving of Weight Control Quaker oatmeal. The girl I was 7 months ago would not have made that same choice. Rewire your brain...this band is supposed to help you do that. 5. Too many people whine on this website. Seriously? You've been overweight for a long time, no doubt, and have tried and failed with numerous diets...otherwise you wouldn't have a LapBand. WHY do you think this is another easy way out? WHY are you frustrated with your progress when you can't even pull your head out of your butt long enough to do some serious reflection on what YOU are doing or not doing to help yourself succeed? Seems like many of the users on this site didn't have their head in the game when they started this...your ignorance is only due to the fact that YOU chose not to ask questions of your doctor, do the research, etc. Don't be "shocked" that your previous dietary habits aren't working...don't blame lack of restriction on the reason you're failing. It was a good 3 months before I felt restriction...I still made the choices to eat healthy, eliminate carbonated drinks, etc. This is on YOU. Stop putting it off on other people/excuses - more than likely? Your blaming/creating excuses mentality is what got you fat in the first place.

I would consider myself to be a "slow loser". I am 13.5 weeks out, and am down 51lbs. I had the typical three week stall, but have now been sitting, (actually bouncing between 252-256 - started at 304), for the last two weeks. I expected the stall with TOM, but hopped it would go away after, and it has yet to do so. While it is frustrating, I know it will break eventually. My body is still adjusting from this major surgery, and things will be whacky for a bit. I saw my surgeon and NUT a month ago, and they both say I'm doing great and already consider me a success story...that's nice to hear from a doctor! I to am of the belief that we didn't get this done to be on a diet forever. I had this done so that I could be a normal, healthy person. If I'm craving something, I'm going to have it. Obviously, with the restriction our lovely tool provides us, it's awfully hard to over-indulge, (at least, I find it to be so). I try to maintain a healthy balance. I don't restrict my carbs, or fat, etc. I make sure that I'm getting all of my Protein in each day, and once that's done, I'll allow myself a treat. I'm ok with my steady, slow loss.

Okay - day three done and at the end of week one now. It's really good - I just paid the 2.99 for the full app, and am darned sure now that i can get to the 5k point. Today was the same as day 2 on the app, but i found myself enjoying it far more and finding i could have gone longer at nearly all of the jogging spans than the little voice told me to. I didn't just knowing i'd ramp up in plenty of time, and that there's a reason one takes it slow. So nice to feel like it's doable. It's especially nice since i think all my working out and walking and jogging has somehow helped to stall my weight loss, so feeling this as measurable progress helps a LOT. Ava - how is yours coming? Anyone else enjoying or struggling with it?

I stalled for 2.5 weeks, finally lost three pounds, then for the last week or two have been gaining and losing the same 2-3 lbs. I’m only 2.6 pounds down since September 1. I’m really hoping the loss starts picking up sometime soon, I was expecting for more than an average of 1.3 lbs per week... 😩😫😩😫

Question for all of you... how many calories is everyone averaging? I’ve been on my three week stall for about 3 weeks now. 😩😩 I’m six weeks out and I’m averaging about 600-800 calories a day with around 60-80g of protein. I’ve been hitting my fluid goals and trying to be active (though I could do better on working out). I know stalls are normal but 3 weeks seems like an excessive amount of time to be stalled for so soon after surgery.

The protein ice cream I found at TheWorldAccordingtoEggface blog - she has fabulous post-op recipes and shares what she eats day to day. She's several years post-op. I wish i could just link her page here but I haven't figured that out yet. Enjoy!! -27 pounds in three weeks is incredible!! I know we all get impatient but your loss is great!!!!! I've been stalled for almost a week so I'm trying harder on my fluids/water & really want to see that scale move down in the morning so I completely understand.

I was 345 in May of 2016, went on WW was 300 on surgery day. gained 23 pounds in my three days in the hospital so went home at 323. I am 5 1/2 weeks out and was 277 this morning.. I plateaued at 282 for 10 days Doctor said every 30 to 50 pounds you will stall while your body reacts to whats going on

Hopefully things turn around for you soon. You should talk to your nutritionist about your gain and stall. I was told that little stalls here and there are normal but I wouldn't consider a three week plateau a stall. Talking to your nutritionist may help you discover the reason your not in a calorie deficit. Best wishes, Ken

Hey everyone! Have enjoyed reading all of your posts. I am 57 and had my surgery on New Years Eve. I love the idea of out with the old in with the new. Last Wednesday I began week 3 and apparently have hit the three week stall. I am religiously getting in my liquids, keeping calories below 500 and using my elliptical trainer as much as possible... I have serious back problems which make exercise a bit difficult. I have read this is common but is there anything to break the stall?

Sleeved may 20th. I too am going on a three week stall! It sucks but I know my body will release the weight soon! I'm not done yet another 45 or so to go. SW 225 CW 170 Down 55 lbs so far. Don't worry the scale will keep moving for us!!!

I'm at three weeks and not having a stall but it has not been as great of a weight loss as it had been before but I'm not going to complain at all. i'll take the 1-2 lbs. Its a win win for me.

You know the three week stall is pretty normal? I had it too, and am at 2/3 of my weight lost at 6 months. I know it stinks, but you will be fine!

hi pink my biggest question is how you lost your weight so quickly.... my sister and i sleeved in mx 7 weeks ago....we are losing very slowly and have stalled three times already....any advice?

That is so scary. I can't imagine gaining so much weight so quickly. I hope so! I too was terribly sensitive to hormones, this was suggested as the best alternative since the pills and the ring were a complete disaster for me. At most on both I think I gained 10 lbs pre-surgery, then I stopped taking any BC for 3 years completely. I am still worried because I do feel hunger but I know I haven't been eating at all lately due to stress. I should try focusing less on the sweet cravings and just eat more Protein again. I am going to try and up my fitness time to see if I can push this insane three week stall. I have been feeling myself getting lazy due to the Summer weather! Here is hoping!

Hi everyone, I need some support and advice because I feel like I am failing so bad right now and I am so frustrated. I am almost three months post op. I lost 20lbs On my own before surgery. My surgeon was very strict and I only could have proteins shakes and water. I hated the protein shakes and ended up just having water a lot of the time. Especially after surgery, with a liquid diet I had mostly water. My surgeon wasn’t concerned. However, right after my surgery I lost a lot of weight really fast. The first month I lost about 30 pounds. It started slowing down the second month when I started eating especially. Second month I lost about 14 pounds. However about halfway through the month I started slowing down and hit plateaus. In the third month I have lost only 5 pounds. Is this normal? I went from 320 and am now at 250 or so. I have lost inches in the last months so I know SOMETHING is happening. But I feel like a failure and my surgeon absolutely is no help. I am realizing I haven’t got any if the support I need from him. He wants me to eat once a day, and I have never been able to do that aside from maybe day one of eating. My body is hungrier than that. It has gone from two a day total to two or three times a day with a snack. This seems on par with everything I’ve read but my surgeons words and requirements are really triggering my sense of failure. Paired with my extreme stalls the shame and guilt is intense. I work out 2-3 times a week pretty intensely and know m I’m building muscle. I also was struggling to drink all my water until last week. My foods consist of mostly cheese, meats, and veggies. I had crackers when I was sick the second month as well as a food two other times with minimal amounts of flour. I believe I am in ketosis all of the time and have not gotten out of it. I can eat 1-1.9 oz a day. Sometimes I eat until I’m full, but I’ve only had 3 or so times I’ve ate until I was past full. I’m definitely high anxiety on this and I know that is part of the issue. Anxiety causes stress which can hold weight but also make me want to eat more. Any thoughts?

Ok so this past week i have been good (still ate a few sugary things but oh well) and i counted carbs and worked out....FINALLY broke my three month stall...i weighed in at 193.0 on the button this morning. I have been pretty much 195.9 to 196.9 the past three months. I did see a day of 194.8. yay!!! I made sure i didn't go over 1200 but not below 1000 calories a day. Walked 45 minutes at lunch and a few times after work and then some days i walked at the track near my house then ran up and down the stairs on the bleachers (that's an awesome workout). Now just need to add in some weigh training and i think ill be good. My surgeon had to push my 1 year appt back from 9/9 to 9/23 so that gives me a few extra weeks to get closer to 100lb mark. That was my original goal at my one year surgiversary but that only gives me 2.5 lbs to lose 13 lbs..so ill shoot for that with my surgeon. I hope everyone is doing great. I find that going back to basics just throws me all off. Since this is a life long journey you need to find out what works for you in a normal capacity. Just sometimes finding it might take awhile (three months for me).