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I was a self-pay patient (my insurance would not provide any coverage due to my BMI being too low to meet their criteria), so I took on the responsibility of educating myself about the surgery prior to having it. I did not attend any classes, have any counseling, or meet with my surgical team in advance, but still felt reasonably equipped with knowledge and confident on the day of surgery. Several reputable bariatric centers - like Stanford, UCLA, and the Mayo Clinic - have information and instructions they provide to their patients available online. I read through it all, as well as published studies in journals and articles, and also found the videos of a bariatric surgeon named Dr. Matthew Wiener who posts on YouTube to be very helpful. I gleaned valuable information from online forums, too, so I was prepared for the "dreaded three week stall" and other common experiences. 1. Did your team discuss your post surgical diet with you in detail before your surgery? No. I received an email with a PDF of the post-surgical diet, and instructions for the 48-hour pre-op preparation diet in advance, but did not discuss it. Had I felt the need to, I could have contacted the surgeon's nutritionist prior to surgery. 2. Did your nurses go over your immediate diet with you in your hospital room? No, but I met with the surgeon's nutritionist the day after the surgery. 3. Were all stages of your diet given to you in written form? Did you understand when to start each stage? Yes, and yes. 4. Did anyone ever tell you not to eat or drink more than a certain number of ounces per hour? I most clearly remember Dr. Weiner's advice on his videos about being careful to avoid having too much liquid at once, but in the month post-op I really could not have tolerated copious amounts anyway. On my instructions it said "sip, sip, sip" to emphasize that you shouldn't guzzle back liquids. 5. Did anyone ever tell you what could happen to you if you ate foods that you weren't approved for yet? It's on all the information bariatric centers and my own surgeon's office provided, but what really captured my attention was reading on this forum about the horrible experiences people had when they ate solid food too soon. That was the best motivation to not deviate from the post-op dietary instructions. I also learned from my own body. It wasn't ready yet to advance, so I stayed on liquids and then soft foods for a little longer than the timeline given. 6. Were you allowed to order a meal in the hospital, and if so, what did it consist of? No. I was brought Gatorade and then broth. I was not at a hospital; I was at a clinic specifically for bariatric surgery, so they did not provide typical meals. 7. Did you have a clear understanding that the surgery was permanent? Yes. ---- I know doctors are all different and we all go to different groups that handle information differently....I just wondered how well these basics were covered for you. Did you feel well prepared to monitor your own Fluid and nutrition after surgery? ----- I made sure the basics were covered and felt prepared. -----Is a lack of basic instructions a common thing? ----- I think basic instructions are commonly provided, but we're all unique learners and have our own level of incentive to remember and follow instructions. I am grateful I didn't have to attend classes because I preferred getting the information on my own and making sure I was familiar with it, but that was a personal preference.

I know what you mean! I find these forums helpful because checking it every day weirdly reminds me to stay on track. But the posts are always about the three week stall or someone freaking out with regrets 2 days in. I want to be helpful and supportive but sometimes I don’t want to read (let alone, respond to) the same posts over and over. I’m just over 5 months out from my surgery and I feel it’s so repetitive on here. It’s sad because a lot of the actual veterans (people one year plus) vanish from the site and we miss out on their wisdom! Maybe there should be a pinned FAQ thread which answers the top 10 newbie questions that get asked every week here? If people are too lazy to use the search function then they can just read the FAQ thread?

No I just came off a three week stall... I tried very hard to bump up protein , vitamins and water. I asked my NUT about this on Tuesday and she recommended increasing things not decreasing (excluding carbs fat sugars etc) Her options for me were more fiber, water exercise, sleep, protein etc. Hope this helps...

Finally out of the 260s and into the 250s - weighed in at 259.8 on Saturday. I was stuck at 260.5 for three weeks! Stalls are so frustrating but I have to remember that they're a part of this experience and not to get so hung up on numbers, just how I feel.

My surgery was Dec 19th. I was down 32 pounds from surgery diet, but I hit the dreaded three week stall the end of last week. Not only am I in a stall, but I am GAINING weight. This is so frustrating to me! I think it is probably water weight as I'm sure I was dehydrated before, but it really is discouraging. Did anyone else gain a few pounds in their stall?

I feel the three week Stall pain....been there the last couple of weeks. Stall broke and I lost four and a half pounds in the last two days. Just suddenly. It happens...the legends are true:) I'm 5 weeks post op and eating 1000-1200 calories a day, tolerating more foods, and have a lot of energy. Feeling really good:) Wishing you all a quick end to the stall:) It'll happen. (someone asked for my stats on another thread...don't know if this is helpful to anyone, but figured it was on topic.) Started at 270 in June. Lost 30 pounds in 6 months of pre-surg diet visits using the Mayo Clinic Diet mostly. (240) Lost 10 pounds in 2 week pre-surg liquid diet. (230) Lost 14 pounds first month after surgery. (216 today) So, I lost 23% of my excess body weight the first month (60 pounds excess weight on day of surgery)....which beats the heck out of the 18% that is the average first month weight loss. Feeling positive!

I hit the three weeks stall...and had been stuck for almost two weeks. Was making me crazy. Totally empathize with those hitting one. Man, it's frustrating! Got my period yesterday and lost two pounds...and woke up this morning another two and a half pounds down! Not an ounce for two weeks....then, BOOM!...four and a half pounds. The legends are true! Be consistent, be patient. Your hard work IS counting...I promise. scale just needs a minute to catch up:)

I hit the three weeks stall...and had been stuck for almost two weeks. Was making me crazy. Totally empathize with those hitting one. Man, it's frustrating! Got my period yesterday and lost two pounds...and woke up this morning another two and a half pounds down! Not an ounce for two weeks....then, BOOM!...four and a half pounds. The legends are true! Be consistent, be patient. Your hard work IS counting...I promise. Scale just needs a minute to catch up:)

I am in the same boat...three week stall....I have lost 36 pounds all togher and 23lbs since surgery! I am still not comfortable eating tuna, chicken, or any meats yet but doing well on chicken salad, tuna salad, and beans. Egg salad sounds good, will have to try that as well. I have not been able to get all of my protein in so I ordered some liquid protein since i have trouble with trying to eat and get enough in. Good luck!

Hi December buddies! I didn't have a chance to read all posts but wanted to check in and say hi. I am 3 weeks post op (sleeved December 11, 2017). I hit the dreaded "three week stall" last week, as I haven't lost anything since Christmas. However, I am down 34 pounds from my heaviest, and 28 pounds since starting my 2 day pre-op liquid diet. I'm also down 17 inches so far! My doctor said to be careful with working out, and no weights yet. His concern was I wasn't getting all my protein in. However, I have upped my protein and I'm now hitting between 60-80g a day. I'm wondering if anybody has started doing cardio yet? I'm anxious to put in the work to break this stall, although I know time is necessary as well. I'm on pureed, and eating a lot of tuna salad and egg salad since my plan allows those without actually being pureed. I just have to cut it up really small! Everything is going really well so far, and I am allowed to start "real" food Saturday, woot! Happy New Year! Here is to a healthier and happier year for all of us.

I lost a bunch of weight quickly for the first three weeks, then hit the three week stall everyone talks about on this forum. Stayed stalled for a week or two, then the weight loss started again. Now the weight loss is less dramatic if you look at it day by day (0.2 lbs here, 0.6 here, etc) but it helps to look at it week by week. For example I thought last week was pretty slow weight loss wise, but then I looked at my weekly view on MFP and realized I'd actually lost four and a half pounds in a week. I would have killed for that a few months ago!

don't increase your calories unless you're already sure you are not eating enough. Stick to your program and the weight loss WILL start up again. You are in the infamous "three-week stall", that's all. (it doesn't always happen the third week post-op - but sometime within the first month or so after surgery, almost all of us hit our first major stall. It can last anywhere from a few days up to three (or more..) weeks). Just hang in there and remain 100% compliant. Your weight *will* start dropping again. When my first stall broke after two long weeks of nothing, I dropped like 6-8 lbs within a couple of days....

sounds like you're experiencing the "three week stall" (doesn't always happen the third week, but for sure sometime in the first 4-6 weeks post-surgery). It happens to almost everyone. Stick to your program and it will break. I had mine weeks 2 and 3 post-surgery. It broke during week 4, and I dropped like 6-8 lbs within a couple of days.

it's the three week stall. Almost everyone goes through that.

I can't speak to the vomiting - that's a question for your surgeon. But as for the others - yes, it's likely the infamous three-week stall, and yes - constipation is a chronic problem for many of us. Just try to keep on top of it. Some of us take Miralax every day, some take magnesium, some use stool softeners, some drink Smooth Move tea, some use some combination of things. Just figure out what works for you and keep on it.

yes. Happens to almost everyone. Search this site for threads on the "three week stall". EDIT: oh wait - so this stall has been going on for over a month? That's unusually long. The three-week stall usually lasts a week or two. Are you weighing and measuring what you're eating? Are you sticking to your plan?

The 'dreaded three week stall' - is very common - just hang in there and keep following the plan. We don't lose every week or in a linear fashion. 31 pounds is awesome so far.

sounds like you've entered the infamous "three-week stall" a little early. Almost all of us go through our first stall sometime within the first month after surgery. It's usually the third week, but not always. Mine was weeks 2 and 3.

I think many people are nervous in the time leading up to WLS, and those emotions can then amplify the feelings of being overwhelmed with other tasks. Even if you were a frequent flyer, chances are you'd have a little more anxiety about this trip than other ones, simply because it's different than travel for business or pleasure. What you're feeling is totally valid, and common. I was also nervous about traveling to Mexico for the VSG, even though I wasn't flying since I live in SoCal a drivable distance away. I actually had a surprisingly pleasant experience there. My surgery went very smoothly, I had minimal pain and no complications, the clinic was very clean and comfortable, the staff were attentive, the hotel was nice and everyone working there was friendly and attentive, and the transportation across the border was easy. I was worried I'd be in pain on the ride home, but I actually felt well enough to spend a few hours shopping at the outlet mall on the California side of the border, and to make touristy stops on the way home. The only discomfort was from a mild allergic reaction to the surgical tape over the incisions. Once I replaced it, I was fine. I'm sorry your husband isn't supportive. Mine wasn't at first either, but he did eventually get on board after I showed him medical research about the long-term benefits of WLS. I'd make a list of things you want to get done before the surgery, in the order of their priority, and then try to focus on one task at a time so you're not as overwhelmed. You'll probably feel more at peace once the travel is finalized. I recommend doing a search of VSG packing suggestions and gathering what you want to bring with you well in advance, so that you can have that sorted. The most important items for me were - a heating pad, Gas-X strips, slippers, comfortable clothing, slip-on shoes, and entertainment. Though I ended up sleeping most of the time during recovery, I'd brought my laptop and a HDMI cable to hook up to the TV in my room so I could watch movies when I was awake and not doing laps around the hall. I've read that people who have flown for the surgery feel more comfortable on the return flight with a small pillow, to place between their lap and the seat belt so it's not right on top of the incisions. I arranged for a house cleaning service to come a couple of times in the weeks post-op when I was recovering and not able to lift things like the laundry hampers, because with my husband's schedule already being full I didn't want him to have to do all the chores I usually handle, in addition to the ones he does. I also recommend making yourself aware of common feelings and frustrations people have post-op, so that you're prepared, and you won't worry something is wrong with you when what you're experiencing is normal. For example, most people experience the "dreaded three week stall" so it's good to anticipate it and know it's temporary. This forum as well as YouTube videos were helpful to me because I could read about what others went through and have a better idea as to what expect. Having the VSG changed my life for the better, and I'm so grateful for it. I am down to a size 2 now, which I never thought possible, and I am living my life so much more fully than before. This surgery can immensely improve your health and your quality of life. I think it could do wonders for you, too.

Stay the course- following the diet as directed by your dietician or surgeon, and the scale will move on its own. The three week stall is just your body's way of adjusting. Too early to require changes in diet. The cool thing is that even though the scale gets stubborn at 3 or 4 weeks, your body is still transforming, for the better. If you take your waist measurements at the beginning and end of the dreaded stall, you will see a change. Your pants are going to be a little looser, despite the same wight. hang in there! We've all been there and came out great!! (I understand the frustration. My stall at 3 weeks was about a week or so).

Four years out. Keep trying different protein shakes until you find what works for you, because you will! I had to try like 15-20 varieties. Powders, pre mix, waters, etc. Nashua Nutrition online sells a sucker serve sample of anything they carry for $2. You trusted your surgical team to cut you open, trust their nutrition plan! It may be totally different than anyone else's but it's YOUR plan! Follow it for at least the first year, make the most of that window, then you can experiment after you've changed your whole relationship with food and broken all the habits. Know that early put acid can mimic hunger pangs. If you feel a gnawing sensation in your stomach that feels like hunger, try a proton pump inhibitor or another acid reducer. The three week stall is real. And it ends.

search this site for threads about the "three week stall". Happens to almost everyone.

Many people, if not the majority of us, who've had WLS experience a stall around the two to three week mark post-op. You can find dozens of threads on here discussing this if you do a keyword search of "three week stall". I was actually advised to not weigh myself at all the first month to avoid being discouraged or alarmed, but of course popped on there anyway because my curiosity was too strong. Your body is needing a bit of time to adapt. It's gone through an intense surgery, during which time you probably gained a few pounds from all that was pumped into you, and then rapidly lost a lot of weight. It's kind of like your body needs to catch its breath. There's a blogger called The World According to Eggface who has a lot of recipes for smoothies you can make during the first month out. I never would have imagined it to be possible, but I ended up having fun during that first month out trying out her ideas and others I found on Pinterest and from posters on here. I'd suggest trying out different types of protein powders so that you have some variation. I really liked the protein powders by Unjury and Syntrax Nectar. At the time I had the surgery in 2015 you could buy sample sizes of Syntrax at The Vitamin Shoppe, but in recent visits to the stores near me I found out they only have them in the large tubs now. You can still get the smaller sizes on Amazon, I believe. I'd add in nut butters (I liked making them fresh at Whole Foods), low carb fruit, Torani sugar free syrups, and even frozen sweet potato cubes from Trader Joe's (blending them with vanilla protein powder tastes like sweet potato pie to me). If you look on Amazon you'll find a lot of protein powder options, and can read through reviews. Some plain Greek yogurt brands, like Fage, have a lot of protein and are low in carbs. It's important to check the label before buying, and to avoid the flavored ones that are almost always higher in carbs. I think Fage has around 22 grams of protein, and under 10 grams of carbs. You can use it as a base to make all sorts of smoothies.

You are in the "three week stall". Usually lasts for a week or two. Stalls will happen regularly. It's a normal part of the process, and doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong... and there is nothing that will fix it. When your body is ready, the scale will move again. The average weight loss for the first month is 15-25lbs. So you are already there! I lost 17lbs myself.. totally normal.

I'll echo what the other said, and add that you probably had the typical "three week stall" during this period of time. You probably didn't lose anything for a couple of weeks. Most of us went through that. Stalls suck, but they are more prevalent than periods of loss post-op (at least in my experience). The key is to keep to your plan, especially during these frustrating periods. The weight will come off, and you will get where you want to be. Good luck!