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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!

I’m stuck in a slump. I didn’t have the dreaded three week stall but now at 8.5 weeks I’ve been stuck between 199-198. Since I started hitting the gym on September 22nd, since then nothing. And by hitting the gym I just mean treadmill/elliptical 45 min a day. I do see via pictures that things have changed since my heaviest I just wish the scale would “poo or get off the pot” [emoji23] Stalls are just jerks!

Folks - please search this site for posts on the three week stall. There are thousands of postings on it because almost everyone experiences it. Bariatric centers should be telling their patients about this so they don't freak out (ours does....). Just stick to your program and stay off the damn scale for a few days. The weight loss WILL start up again!

first, do a search on the the "three-week stall". Almost everyone has their first stall within the first month of surgery. Mine lasted through week 2 and week 3. During week 4, the scale finally started moving again - and I dropped 6-8 lbs within a couple of days. Just stick to your program and the weight loss will start again. secondly, I only lost 16 lbs the entire first month post-surgery. I know you read about people losing 30 lbs the first month, but they're the extreme. I've been on these boards a long time, and I'd say 15-25 lbs the first month is average. You've already lost 10, so you'll get there by the end of the first month.

I had surgery on 8/24. I lost 17 pounds during my two week preop diet and then 13 pounds since surgery. I have been in a three week stall. I am not losing anymore weight even though I am following the diet and walking a mile a day. It has me a bit worried.

do a search on the "three week stall". Happens to almost everyone. Just stick to your program and stay off the scale if you have to. It *will* break.

Totally normal! You're experiencing the dreaded three week stall. I had bypass on 9/1 and am going through the same thing. Our bodies just need a chance to catch up. And as many people will tell you, you are likely still losing fat and going down in clothing sizes even if the scale is stuck. Hang in there! We just have to stick to our plans

Mine is still going strong. This week, I finally put the scale away and have not been weighing myself everyday as I foolishly had been doing. I really expected to see some sort of drop this morning, but nothing. I'm honestly devastated. I'm walking everyday, keeping calories around 800 or less, drinking water. I started out with a quick 17 pound drop after being sleeved on 8/3 (SW 275, CW 252). I know the 3-week stall is real--how long did it last for you until you started dropping? I'm losing my mind here.

do a search on the "three week stall". Almost everyone has that. It's not always on week 3, but it usually is. But it can happen any time within the first 4-6 weeks of surgery. Like I said, pretty much everyone experiences that. Just stick to your program and it will break.

my first stall lasted two weeks. It was weeks 2 and 3 post surgery. It broke during week 4 and I dropped 6-8 lbs right away - like within a couple of days. I've heard of the "three-week stall" last as long as three weeks, actually. as for carbs, it depends on your program. Some surgeons recommend ultra-low-carb diets, some insist on something more moderate. Mine was one of the latter. While in the losing phase, I kept my carbs under 80 grams. But there are programs that limit carbs to more like 30 or 40. And there are some people whose programs are more moderate carb, but who do lower carb on their own because it works better for them. I doubt 35-45 carbs is going to de-rail you unless you are *super* carb sensitive. I think it's just the regular three-week stall. Just stick to your program, and it will eventually break.

It sounds as though you hit the normal three-week stall, so no worries there. I'm a little confused--when you say you eat "4 ounces of protein at least" do you mean at one time? That seems like a lot at once for as relatively early as you are in the process. Are you meeting the water goals? I would not stress over meeting an arbitrary weight loss goal; focus more on the big four goals (per my surgeon): water, protein, vitamins, and exercise. Is there a reason you are not taking vitamins? They really are essential for WLS recipients--we can't get enough of what we need through our very limited diets at this point. Good luck!

So I thought I'd run it all down. I might add some pictures tomorrow when I take them for my records. 10 days before Surgery two months ago I weighed 346 lbs. Everything made me out of breath. I wasn't exercising nor dieting. In fact had probably spent the last few months leading up to this going to as many restaurants/fast food places as I could, getting my favorites for one last time. Started the full liquid 10 days before surgery lost about 12lbs and on July 24th, 2017 I was SLEEVED. *insert "Law and Order" chung-chung sound here* It took a week after that to feel only a mild pain from the incisions, probably 2 weeks after for the pain to be gone entirely. I was on clear liquids for the whole first week after surgery. Walking helped, shuffling around the house in my slippers. I didn't have any gas pains and I'd say my best friend, or the best thing I bought after surgery (at the advice of some angel on the forum) was a stomach support stretchy velcro thingy. It kept me feeling like my guts weren't falling out...gave me stomach support when it was weak. Noticed the pounds coming off at a steady, very steady, 2lbs per day. That is, until the three week stall which is REAL y'all. Went through the entire month of August on Full Liquid diet. Consisted on two protein shakes and a bowl of soup and of course lots of water. Didn't really do a whole lot of exercising all that much, but that has changed since my last Surgeon's appointment when he said I could go to pureed for a week, then solid foods. I've been walking about 2 miles a day and increasing daily and it's making the pounds move. I have 6 - 8 months to maximize this loss and I am going to do it. I'm already addicted to walking everyday and loving it immensely. I don't get out of breath easily at all anymore and I'm pushing myself gently to the point that I actually feel like JOGGING!!! Cut to today. I am at 290. That is a loss of 56 lbs and I definitely can feel it. This is only two months in. Problems: After Surgery and a little recovery I had a hard time figuring out what to do with my life in my leisure time. Everything had always revolved around food and eating and or drinking with friends. Checking out new Restaurants, going to favorite restaurants, drinking at local watering hole - these all had to be requestioned and rethought. I had to figure out what to do to occupy my time better. i think i have since worked it out. I still go to my neighborhood watering hole, but I have that - water and I pay for some of my friends drinks that way I am contributing to the financial necessities of the establishment and not just taking up space. I have bought a pop up camper from 1970 and I am in love with it and spend at least one pretty day a week tinkering with it and getting ready for a big camping trip at the end of the month. Eating in general has slowly become a Non-Pleasure. I use solid food as medicine now. if I am hungry it takes soooooo verrrrrrrrryyyyy littttttlllllee before I just have to stop. it's just a necessity and definitely not a desire. My pleasure sensors or joy sensations when it comes to food have all but burned and fizzled out. Is that really a PROBLEM? I don't know. It CERTAINLY is confusing. I NEVER know what will work or not in my stomach right now. It's a virtual guessing game. Almost. I say almost because I know there are "guides" and recommendations, but the reality of having to look everything up before you attempt to have a meal is ridiculous. The mood swings, the toxins stored in your fat releasing itself into your system as the fat dissipates causing the mood swings and the bursts of hormones/testosterone are a roller coaster ride and not always a fun one. Sometimes they are not fun at all. The loss of the feeling of "completion" with eating. The loss of the "full and content" feeling has been weird to me...it's just, you're done and your stomach might feel queasy or your stomach might just feel fine, but you're just done and that's it. I don't know, again, if that's a real problem but it's just...different. The way my torso, specifically my stomach and man boobs are going to take the longest to lose fat certainly can make the rest of your body look weird in the mean time. Good Stuff: Inches and Pounds, Inches and Pounds! Dropping from a 3xl shirt to now just a 2xl shirt is a wonderful feeling. I have only bought one new pair of pants because I went out of town on an overnight trip and forgot my friggin' clothes so I had to buy some. The jeans I bought were 6 inches below what I had been buying. 6 inches is a lot in jeans. They start looking like regular jeans instead of flared bell bottoms because your goddamned waist is so huge that it continues down the pant leg. I've been tracking the inches lost and that will be measured for the second time post surgery tomorrow. Noticing the fast changes in my body mass. Other people noticing the changes. Looking down when I'm sitting and seeing my lap instead of my stomach? more energy better sleep already 56lbs off your frame makes Sex a wee bit easier and more fun. Skin looks great with so much water and non toxic food going through your system. Dry skin gone. Greasy skin and spots gone. Having a neck with tendons in it and clavicle bones look cool. Putting on a t-shirt and before you get it past your arms, you already know it's gonna fit perfectly. I know you know what I'm talking about. Everyday is a new and interesting day. I am certainly taking it one day at a time and each day I wake up excited about the possibility of walking and getting lesser and lesser. I'm really confused and still adjusting to what eating has become. I still enjoy an occasional dance with Mary Jane if I need to get out of my head, but was never a fan of alcohol that much anyway. I can't imagine what is beyond this....I haven't ever been "normal weight" since I was a child. I am willing to get there though. I guess overall I am happy that I chose to do this really , really weird thing to my body. And there you are....

I'm down about 30 lbs from August 8th. Probably a little too fast for my height but I've had trouble with constant stomach upset and getting enough protein. (Can't take protein shakes. They advanced me onto soft meats early. Also had to stop most dairy.) I wanted to die those first two weeks, like, literally. The physiological starvation and rapid weight loss started making me batshit crazy. The three week stall is real!! I can only tolerate 1-2 ounces at a time. I actually added a little bit of carbs at the end of the three week stall with my very small meals and it helped with the stomach upset and got my weight moving downward again. IDK why but only one food group at a time has always bothered my stomach and I kind of forgot about that from my dieting days of old before all this (I have always had a lot of food-tolerance issues both mental and physical. Eating disorder brain and genuine physical sensitivities combined.) The stomach upset also makes it hard to get enough fluid and the vitamins all went to hell. It's been a vicious cycle of nausea causing stuff lol. I just started the vitamin patches after reading so many good reviews, so hopefully those help too. I haven't started a regular exercise regime yet because I've been so weak, but plans are in the works. Oh, and I'm back to work -- in smaller scrubs. [emoji4] Most days are getting slightly better each day. I still have a lot of "What have I done?" regret moments, but little by little that's improving too. Attached: a few weeks preop, Hospital pic, a couple days after they let me eat some meat lol, then the obligatory smaller scrub selfies were yesterday. I'll have to get a full body shot when I go back. (Bad underwear shots are being saved for bigger losses lol)

Dianne I drink all my water with crystal light. Thanks for the tip. I'm still on my liquid phase and will be heading into the puree phase at the end of this week and I don't want to experience a three week stall.

You are not doing anything wrong. The three week stall is extremely normal. There are many, many discussions about it throughout the forum. I had a stall at one week post-op that lasted for 10 days. Next thing I knew it broke and I lost 11 pounds in the following 2 weeks. Every so often your body has to take a break and recovery from the quick weight loss and then it will start up again. This might be the first but it won't be the last. During a stall try to look for non-scale victories. I noticed that my body shrank a bit during my stall. Keep working the plan your surgeon has given you and things will work. In the general surgery section there is a food forum for recipes broken down by the stage you are in. Check those out for some savory protein options and ideas. I would also suggest to weigh once a week. The daily fluctuations are going to drive you mad. Hang in there. You are doing great. It's kind of like Dory in Finding Nemo - "Just keep swimming". You are going to get there!

google 3rd week stall vsg and I promise you soooo many of us have had it! It's sooo stressful and disheartening but it breaks. My three week stall lasted for 3 weeks. I was 203 for 3 weeks, then ate kind of bad one weekend and had a lot of sex and boom...stall broken I was 199. I kept bouncing between 201 and 199 and stayed there for like two weeks, went to the lake for labor day, came back and I was 196.6 or something. It was awesome. I'm two months post op and see people posting like "average weight loss 7-10lbs a month" and i'm nowhere near that and it makes me feel crappy but I'm just a slow loser and I can't remember a time where I ever lost 32 lbs or even in 2 months! First month was rough for me too but I'd say around week 5 and 6 it got a little better. I'm still adjusting my eating habits and eating slower and chewing more and I definitely don't drink as much water as I should. I need to be way better quite honestly. I don't count or measure what I eat...I should. I"m sure if I did all these things, my weight loss would be more but I'm doing what makes me happy. It will get better as cliche as that sounds!

Read around this site--the three-week stall is kind of legendary, or at least very, very, very common. Your body kind of needs to pause to catch up every now and then; many people report losing inches during this time, if not pounds on the scale. My doctor advised not even thinking about weight loss--to focus on the big four things: water, protein, vitamins, and exercise. I'm human and I have a really good scale, though, so . . . yes, it's great to see it change nearly every day. I'm sure I'll find the three-week stall frustrating. But just hang on in there--it'll start going down again. Oh--and this won't be your last stall, either, so . . . chin up!

I was sleeved on 8/3. I've hit the three week stall and definitely understand your general frustrations. Yesterday I had anxiety attack out of nowhere. Couldn't breathe, felt like crying. My patience is very thin. The heat is seriously effecting me, and I'm totally weak. Even taking my vitamins and hitting protein. I want to get back to exercising but I know I don't have the stamina for much right now . I'm sure it will get better, but wanted to share so you don't feel alone. I guess this hormone thing is for real. Hang in there.

Hi. Sleeved on 8/3. Down 23 lbs since surgery. Have definitely hit the three week stall! I'm getting better everyday with getting in enough water, but struggling a bit with liquid protein--just kind of over it, but trying to work on it because I have struggled with feeling weak and tired. It's not been easy for me to take it slow, so I have to remind myself I just had surgery three weeks ago, and need to take better care of myself. I am also battling constipation, even taking benefited everyday and hitting 60oz fluids. Good luck to you!

Hang in there, everyone talks a lot about the three week stall...don't get discouraged. I was sleeved on the 29th and I am trying to keep a positive outlook...I lost 15 lbs on the pre-op diet but since the surgery (3 weeks ago), I am down almost 10 lbs. Pre-surgery me never had luck losing 3 pounds a week and keeping it off - so I am trying to focus on that....but it is hard when you read about how weight is flying of people and wondering WTH is going on!!!!! Keep at it