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Hi: I was sleeved three weeks ago today and I feel great. I have transitioned into each food catagory with no problems. But I do find that I am still hungry. I called my dietician today and he said that I should consume approx 1200 calories; 60-90 grams of protein within that. When I look on line and read others it doesn't seem to be that many. Seems like the norm is around 800. I don't know what to do, I want this to be successful because of course now I am at a stall and to increase my calories just seems like crazy talk. How many calories do some of you eat on average?? - any help or comments would be so greatly appreciated. I just don't know what to eat - forbidden foods are looking good because I am hungry but I am resisiting the temptation!

Hi Everyone, Well, I said I would report back on my first visit back to my surgeon. 5 weeks after my operation, he was very happy to see how well my incisions have healed and was more than happy with my weightloss.(even though I have been stalled for three weeks). I also saw the dietician who was again, very happy with my food choices and thinks I am doing wonderfully. She fell about laughing when I told her about my step aerobics problems, but apparently she is just as unco-ordinated so fully understood where I was coming from. Having seen them both I feel easier in my mind about things generally. To top it off this morning my stall broke, only by half a pound but who cares, things are moving again. I feel lighter in my mind some how too. I have been eating very carefully and slowly, and as soon as I begin to feel full stop eating. Even if I have only eaten a tiny bit (although I usually manage a good 2 ounces) I don't worry as I know I can always have something more if I feel hungry later. I don't worry about food now, it is not always on my mind. I enjoy what I have, and I have been very lucky in that everything I have tried my sleeve has liked. I am eating normally now. Not sloppy food, just well chewed and usually with a sauce or gravy to keep it wet. A standard days food looks a bit like this. Breakfast: 1 weetabix with half a banana and semi skimmed milk or a few shredded wheat minis with semi skimmed milk or egg on toast (either poached or dry fried or boiled) the toast is a small wholemeal slice and yes I do put a little butter on it. Lunch: a boiled egg mashed with a little cheese and salad cream or a slice of toast with pate or tinnned mackerel on toast or soft cheese on crackers. or soup (usually homemade with veg and either chicken or oxtail) Dinner: It depends on what I have eaten during the day, but will usually be Chicken with veg pork with veg homemade shepherds pie homemade fish pie fish in some sauce with veg steak and a fried egg Pretty much anything I or my husband fancy. I drink thoughout the day and am always over 64 ozs of fluid. So all in all, I think I have cracked it. Oops that could be famous last words! I do still get tired but know that will improve the further out from my op I get. I am loving this sleeve, I feel better than I have for years, I am under 300 lbs and know that with time I will get to where I want to be. Life is good I hope everyone gets to feel how I do today Phoenix

It's completely normal and happens to most of us. Search for "Three Week Stall" on the site and you'll find tons of info. Personally, I stalled for almost 4 weeks during my 2nd month. It drove me CRAZY but I was relieved to know that it is just a part of the process.

I too am a slow loser, but so far I have lost consistently each week with the exception of the famous three week stall that lasted 3.5 weeks. My surgery was 12-28-11, I have lost 29 lbs since my surgery and that includes the pre- liquid diet. Most people think I've lost much more. So far the skin is pretty good considering I'm and old lady. I have always been a slow loser, have less than some to lose and have age against. It came on slow, so I will be patient. I see huge life changes already. At to months I was afraid my Dr would be upset, she was elated, also counted the weight I lost prior to surgery and thought percentage wise I was ahead of schedule. I had feared her reaction and she actually made me feel so successful. Keep up the good work!

I thought that carbonated drinks can stretch your pouch. I was banded in December 2010, 268. I'm now at 190. This last adjustment allowed me a restriction that was much needed. I'm now at 5.5cc and I have upped my protein to 70 per day, now walking me three times a week fast walk. More water, less fattening cream soups and sour creams. Really focusing on healthier eating because of the stall too. Good luck:) down 9 lbs with this one since First week of Marxh, us this the green zone?

I agree. Try Diva's boot camp. I do it every two or three weeks even when I don't stall. It's a great way to get back to the basics. The sleeve is just a tool; YOU still have to do the hard work, and part of that is not eating the junk or eating it only in small, limited quantities. You won't maintain or lose if you keep eating carbs and sugars. Focus on the lean proteins and log your food to make yourself accountable.

I think we need to pin a topic on the three week stall I didn't have the stall, but a lot of people do. Someone posts something about it everyday it is ok because I posted crap the first month without looking it up in the search function, but seriously this should be pinned lol omg how many more posts can I write!

Roux-n-Y gastric bypass surgery can help obese individuals lose a significant amount of weight in a short period of time. During the first year after their Roux-n-Y procedure, many patients lose 1 to 3 pounds per week or more than 40 percent of their body weight to get started on the journey to a healthy weight. Within a few years, however, you may start to feel that your progress is slowing. For many patients, a Lap Band after having a gastric bypass can put you back on the right path to a healthy lifestyle. Review of the Roux-n-Y Procedure In Roux-n-Y bariatric surgery, the surgeon makes your stomach smaller by creating a small pouch of about 1 to 2 ounces. The surgeon sews the top of your small intestine to the small pouch, thereby bypassing the remainder of your original stomach pouch. When combined with lifestyle changes, a successful surgery can help you lose 60 to 70 percent of your original body weight within 5 to 15 years. However, 15 percent of Roux-n-Y procedures are not considered successful because patients do not end up losing the amount of weight they had hoped for. How Does a Lap Band after Gastric Bypass Work? A laparoscopic band, or Lap Band, is a possibility for Roux-n-Y patients who have seen their weight loss slow or even reverse. A Band over Bypass, or BOB, describes the process of putting in an adjustable band in patients who have had Roux-n-Y patients. The surgeon needs to make only small incisions in the wall of your abdomen in order to insert the inflatable band. The band restricts your stomach size by cutting off the lower part of the stomach so that the upper pouch is smaller. Similar to Roux-n-Y, this helps you feel full faster. A BOB is minimally invasive and does not require changes to the work done in the earlier Roux-n-Y procedure. Why It Works A Roux-n-Y procedure is good for rapid results, but some patients need a little more help to maintain their weight loss. Modifications in your diet and exercise routines are crucial for long-term success in controlling your weight, and the Lap Band helps you focus on these lifestyle changes. Years after the early effects of a Roux-n-Y surgery have worn off, the BOB procedure can safely get you back on track to following the diet and exercise program that can keep up your weight loss and improve your health. Band over Bypass in the News: Carnie Wilson Television host and singer Carnie Wilson, age 44, is a recent example of a patient who had a Lap Band after gastric bypass. Wilson had struggled with her weight for years, and had tried many diets without long-term success. In 1999, weighing nearly 300 pounds, Wilson underwent Roux-n-Y surgery in an effort to improve her health and save her career. She lost 150 pounds, but eventually returned to yo-yo dieting. In January of 2012, she had Lap Band put in. Wilson hopes that her Band over Bypass procedure will be her permanent solution to good health and control of her weight. The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America supports her decision to rededicate herself to a healthy lifestyle. Making the Decision If you’re a Roux-n-Y patient whose weight loss has stalled or been reversed, you might be a good candidate for a BOB. The lap band is an outpatient procedure that takes only about 40 minutes. A study published in the journal Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases found very few complications and an average weight loss of 47 percent of excess weight at the five-year mark. After following a very rigid post-op diet for about five weeks, you’ll be ready for your new, lifetime program. Your plan will include three small meals per day, nutritious foods, 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week and plenty of water.

Review of the Roux-n-Y Procedure In Roux-n-Y bariatric surgery, the surgeon makes your stomach smaller by creating a small pouch of about 1 to 2 ounces. The surgeon sews the top of your small intestine to the small pouch, thereby bypassing the remainder of your original stomach pouch. When combined with lifestyle changes, a successful surgery can help you lose 60 to 70 percent of your original body weight within 5 to 15 years. However, 15 percent of Roux-n-Y procedures are not considered successful because patients do not end up losing the amount of weight they had hoped for. How Does a Lap Band after Gastric Bypass Work? A laparoscopic band, or Lap Band, is a possibility for Roux-n-Y patients who have seen their weight loss slow or even reverse. A Band over Bypass, or BOB, describes the process of putting in an adjustable band in patients who have had Roux-n-Y patients. The surgeon needs to make only small incisions in the wall of your abdomen in order to insert the inflatable band. The band restricts your stomach size by cutting off the lower part of the stomach so that the upper pouch is smaller. Similar to Roux-n-Y, this helps you feel full faster. A BOB is minimally invasive and does not require changes to the work done in the earlier Roux-n-Y procedure. Why It Works A Roux-n-Y procedure is good for rapid results, but some patients need a little more help to maintain their weight loss. Modifications in your diet and exercise routines are crucial for long-term success in controlling your weight, and the Lap Band helps you focus on these lifestyle changes. Years after the early effects of a Roux-n-Y surgery have worn off, the BOB procedure can safely get you back on track to following the diet and exercise program that can keep up your weight loss and improve your health. Band over Bypass in the News: Carnie Wilson Television host and singer Carnie Wilson, age 44, is a recent example of a patient who had a Lap Band after gastric bypass. Wilson had struggled with her weight for years, and had tried many diets without long-term success. In 1999, weighing nearly 300 pounds, Wilson underwent Roux-n-Y surgery in an effort to improve her health and save her career. She lost 150 pounds, but eventually returned to yo-yo dieting. In January of 2012, she had Lap Band put in. Wilson hopes that her Band over Bypass procedure will be her permanent solution to good health and control of her weight. The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America supports her decision to rededicate herself to a healthy lifestyle. Making the Decision If you’re a Roux-n-Y patient whose weight loss has stalled or been reversed, you might be a good candidate for a BOB. The lap band is an outpatient procedure that takes only about 40 minutes. A study published in the journal Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases found very few complications and an average weight loss of 47 percent of excess weight at the five-year mark. After following a very rigid post-op diet for about five weeks, you’ll be ready for your new, lifetime program. Your plan will include three small meals per day, nutritious foods, 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week and plenty of water.

Its common to stall around the three week mark. Just follow the guidelines and you will lose. Patients is the BEST tool to develop with this surgery. The body does what it want and when it wants. Eating less and finding your taste buds off wack is part of this thing, especially at the beginning after surgery... your body is still under the influence of the anesthesia and such. At 8 months you may even miss the restriction you have now. Hang in there!

So, I got my sleeve on December 19th 2011. Im four months out and 60lbs down! (whoo-hoo!!) With that being said..before my sleeve, i had not had regular periods for about 6 years. I gained my weight very fast, with my first pregnancy, and my GYN thought that was the culprit. I would only get my period maybe 2-3 times a year, and this concerned her. I was pretty ok with the whole deal, before i knew that at my age, it could cause some serious health risks. Since the surgery, i have gotten two periods. One was last month. Last week i finally got under 200 lbs for the first time in YEARS and was elated! i was at 197. this week, im at 203!!! My last period started about three, almost four weeks ago, and im praying to bb jesus that Aunt flow is on her way. I did have a day that i didnt eat as good as i normally do, and i feel like im REALLY paying for it. I guess what im looking for is, well, has anyone had problems with their cycles before the sleeve, and became regular after losing some lbs? ANNND how much do you guys usually gain during your time? I never noticed when i was regular..cause i was not consciousness of my weight like i should of been (obviously) Im so scared that i have TRUELY gained weight..i havent gained at ALL with the sleeve. I have stalled...but this, this is disheartening.

Very well put PDXMAN. I am just coming out of a stall myself and though I am happy to be losing even if its just a half pound, I understand that my body is going to take little breaks and revamp. I usually stall every two to three weeks for a couple of weeks at a time now that I am 8 months out.

Look up the "three week stall" You sound like you are in it. Most have this stall at around 3 weeks.

Hi Everyone, Well, I am still on a stall, but I have decided that if that is what my body needs to do right now then I should help it all I can to feel comfortable enough to start losing again. So I am trying to chill out, and not worry about the scale. (I have put it away for awhile) I figure my body has always been pretty good to me, and when it feels happier it will let go of more weight. I guess it is a case of 'catch up' , and by that I mean my mindset as well as my body. So, to help my mind feel better, I took some more measurements. Whoohoo! Another three inches bite the dust!!!!! Wow in the last year and a bit I have lost over 27 inches all over my body. That is amazing. Ok, with those sorts of changes I can begin to understand why my body needs some adjustment time. Besides, this isn't a race, this is the rest of my life. So slow and steady does it. I have taken other peoples advice and found some flavoured waters that agree with me, so I have a change from squashes which is great as I was getting really bored with them. The other night my husband had steak with all the trimmings, and I had a small piece of his steak (2 x 1 inch) with a fried egg. I ate all the steak (which was so lovely and juicy) and the yolk of the egg and I was full up. Hooray. I love the fact that these small amounts of food are more than enough. I am also delighted that I am able to eat everything I try. My sleeve is so well behaved, and good to me. :wub: I am still keeping up with the daily walking and the step every other day and feel quite proud of myself that I am doing it. Usually, if I am not losing I get bored or fed up and quit for a while. My step work is improving and I am thinking of moving on to the harder stuff soon. (At the moment I just repeat the easy stuff about 10 times.) I may leave it a bit longer though as I know how long it took me to feel okish about the easy stuff. I still don't like my feet leaving the floor, but I guess it is getting easier. I have a dr's appointment for my first proper check up since my op next week, so will let you all know how that goes. Hopefully I will be able to report a bit more weightloss, but if not, nevermind.(perhaps I should change my name to tortoise!) Best wishes to everyone Phoenix

Did you have any stalls or moments you were discouraged? I am three weeks post-op and I haven't lost anything since I left the hospital. Its very discouraging!

I am coming up on my three month mark next week, and continue to have stalls every two weeks or so. Very frustrating. I have talked to my doctor, he's no help. I've talked to my nutritionist, she is at a point where she doesn't know what more to suggest. So I thought I'd come to the group to see if anyone has any suggestions. I keep a food journal. I get 70-100g of Protein every day, no I cannot correlate more/less loss with the lower or higher protein. I keep my carbs between 15-30g per day (doc wants below 40). And my fats are between 8-20g per day. My calories are always below 600, some days closer to 500. I drink two Protein shakes per day (Nectar/Unjury mixed with water), one in the mid morning and one in the afternoon. My food sources are (non-fat as applicable) Greek yogurt w/some blueberries or raspberries, cottage cheese w/ tbsp unsweetened applesauce, chicken meat cooked at home w/small shot of cooking spray and herbs/lemon, shrimp, scallops, sashimi fish, grilled pork chop, tofu -- all 2-2.5oz portions measured. Other food sources are broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, edamame, artichoke, mushrooms -- all cooked at home either steamed or oven baked. No butter, no sauces, some lightly sprinkled Parmesan at times (less than a teaspoon). All between 1-2oz measured. I like and am allowed cheese but keep all dairy to a minimum due to constipation issues. For an occasional snack, I will have 2-3 flax/soy "tortilla chips" from Trader Joe's that have 4g fiber/6g protein per serving (7 chips) and only 13 carbs. So with eating only 2-3, maybe 6-7 carbs? With 2 teaspoon of homemade salsa. Sometimes I'll sneak in a tablespoon of natural Peanut Butter (no palm/hydrogenated oils) with my doctor doesn't even allow. I add Benefiber dissolvable to my shakes and eat the Metamucil wafers my doctor suggested for more Fiber. I drink 64-80oz of fluids every day, mostly Water or tea. I walk 3 miles in one hour 4-5 days per week and workout for one hour with a personal trainer 2 days per week (muscle toning, strengthening). Also, a 6-8 mile bike ride 1-2 days per week, weather permitting. I sleep 7-8 hours per night, am unemployed right now so stress is relatively low (other than the stress of looking for work). I know my hormones are completely out of whack, they have been for years. They are the only culprit I can think of. I have Polycycstic Ovarian Syndrome which puts estrogen and progesterone in imbalance, along with all the estrogen being released by the fat burning. I am not on birth control, cannot stand the side effects. I thought it was related to my TOM, but my stalls seems to happen a little to haphazardly. I will lose 0.8-0.4 pounds per day on the scale, then just no movement at all for 5-6 days. My trainer and chiropractor both say they feel a lot of muscle in development, but I don't think it's enough to be it? I take measurements every two weeks, but I don't seem to be "losing inches when I'm not losing pounds." I have to limit my exercise to what I do now because of my bad knees and breast size. I can't do those Boot Camp things because they do a lot of squats and other knee exercises my doctors tell me not to do. I'd love to swim, but am having a hard time getting a bathing suit that fits a size 16 on the bottom, and 36H bra size. I can go the custom route for $180, but haven't bit the bullet for that one until I have income coming in again. I know stalls happen, and I'm really OK with the pace I'm losing. But I worry that maybe I'm doing something that is holding me back from losing more. Any advice?

I will be 5 weeks tomorrow. I read these threads all the time and I have seen many comments about three week stalls, it seems common so when I stalled at three weeks I didn't stress over it. I am losing slowly as well, but I am kinda happy about it because its given me the chance to exercise more and tighten up so I avoid having lots of loose skin. I am taking this one day at a time, we have made a huge choice to become sleeved and we are sooo worth it. Stay positive and remember we are losing the weight and eating less, there will be some hills and valleys but we will succeed! Patience, perseverance, persistence....that's the motto! Have a great night

Hey everyone I am looking for people around my same time frame of surgery to kind of comPare how we are all doing Individually. Until this past week I was struggling majorly with food and such. I started eating peanuts to help with my protein intake. I am on soft foods and I don't eat only three times a day just yet because I am trying to get calories in. I have been at a stall for weeks now . I was a band to sleeve revision and started at a low BMi with the sleeve but still the scale hasn't moved in weeks. How much are you all eating? I notice I can eat faster now and more dense foods.

I had my three week follow up yesterday and was told that while it is in fact normal to stall that my protein intake was way too low and my body was holding on to everything for dear life. She told me I need to get in 3 protein shakes per day and a total of 80 oz (including shakes) of water per day. I have no idea how I'm gonna pull that off but she said that the first 6 months will produce the most weight loss and I'm gonna need that protein to shed as much as I can during that timeframe. I've already lost two pounds since bumping up the protein so apparently she was right. Keep hanging in there ladies!!!!

Hello VST. First off, I have to admit to not being a very good sleever food-wise this week. I've been getting enough fluids in, working out, etc, just didn't eat as well as I should the past few days. That being said, it seems my body does NOT like it when I low-carb it. I've had two mini-stalls the past six weeks, bouncing back between the same two to three pounds for a few weeks. Well, in the past week, after not really paying attention to how much carbs I put in, I've lost four pounds! I've noticed when I'm really strict with myself and drink at least one protein shake a day, my body just doesn't respond. I also feel very lightheaded and weak if I low-carb it. Now, this isn't to say I'm going to stuff my face with whatever, it just feels like my body doesn't appreciate it when I follow the usually recommended Atkins diet (and yes, I'm calling it a diet) most sleevers adhere to. Any thoughts?

Today is my one year band anniversary and I am down 58kg (about 130lb). I have stalled in the last month but have a fill in two weeks so that will help. this year I have dropped from a size 26 (tight) to a 14 on top, 16 on bottom. From dancing a couple of songs then telling my husband it was time to sit down, I am now staying on the dance floor all night. from being embarrassed to be seen on my bicycle, I am now a 60+ km a day lycra cyclist and loving it. from avoiding clothes shopping because nothing fit me, I am now the first person into the clothes store and I just keep on buying. and from avoiding all photos, I am looking forward to my son's wedding next week where not only will I be proud to be in his family photos, but I will also be the focus of attention as MC of the reception. from three BP tablets a day, I am down to just one blood pressure tablet which should go at my next Dr visit. and best of all, I have discovered again just how wonderful my husband is. He is my biggest champion and has joined me in getting healthier. We exercise together and he has trimmed off three kg but also improved his cholesterol levels dramatically so we will both be around to enjoy raconteur for many years to come.

I'm looking to be a slow loser too.... 13 lbs in 3 weeks.... and I've been totally stalled for two of the three. The doctor said to up my calories. I've been struggling to get in even 700, but I'm going to try to push it out to 900 or so and see if it helps. Are you guys staying super low? That maybe the issue. I'm hoping so... If there isno reason for this I'm going to go nuts!

Yes, I'm three months out and each month I've stalled the week before my period and within a day or two of it starting I drop 2-4lbs seemingly over night.

I am in the same boat. I'll be three weeks post op tomorrow. I lost 23 lbs week one and not a single pound since then. I would had thought this was way too soon to stall. I do think there's something with the whole protein and water thing though so I started really pushing myself today. I got in my first full protein shake today and have been sipping my water so I hope it all makes a difference. Hang in there ladies...we are going to make this thing work for us!!!

I could have written this post myself!!! I'm at week 8 tomorrow, and I've been stalled since week three. I'm about to tear my hair out thinking I'm going to be at 300 pounds the rest of my LIFE and I had surgery to lose 44 pounds. I know that's not true, but it sure feels that way some days. I went to a restaurant tonight that I haven't been to since January. I did not fit in the chairs back then. I had to perch at the edge of the chair. Tonight--I FIT!! That was some consolation.