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Its the Dreaded Three Week Stall (See? So common it even has a name!) Miss Mac says it best. Stalls are like lovers. Your first won't be your last.

I have been actively trying to up my calories every day. Yesterday, I got over 700 calories and over 80 grams of Protein (and half of the protein was from "real" food). I was in the middle of the "three week stall," and I have finally shown a 1 pound plus loss each of the last two days. I think that the extra calories helped me here. Being able to add scrambled eggs this week really helped. And I can add fish on Sunday. That will hopefully make a difference, too!

But kids...no boot camp this early. Thats for folks out some months. In a quick nutshell, because I'm heading to the ballet with a hot date (my 7 year old LOL) Remember that diet you did to shrink your liver? Your liver shrank..and then you traumitazed your body with surgery and it went all gaddly goop. Then you started feeding it Clear Liquids and maybe even solid liquis or puree's but not your normal routine. At three weeks your body says....wooooo baby, what the hell is going on? It then sends fluids to the liver to fill it back up again, and tries to find balance. This is the "three week stall" which is common to 99% of patients. No need to panic Keep the course and you'll see a drop next week.

Just what I needed.....starting my fourth week of my "three week stall". So ready to be losing again.

It's better than normal, most people lose zero pounds the third week after surgery (seriously, search "three week stall" or "third week stall" and you will see). For most people, weight loss will pick up again after about a two week stall. However, also for most people, they don't see the kind of rapid 4-6 lbs per week after the first month. I would say that 2 - 3 lbs per week is much more in the normal range after the first month. And, as you say, there really is no normal. Focus on following your program as best you can and don't place so much focus on exactly how much you lose within a given time. It will only stress you out and make you miserable (because it never feels fast enough) when you should be experiencing an incredibly happy time in your life.

Stalls are 100% normal and most usually have their first one between 2-4 weeks out (it's generally called the three week stall). Stalls can last anywhere from a week to three on average. Sometimes even longer than that (I should know since I've had a 23 day stall, a 26 day stall, AND a 27 day stall. My last stall was 26 days as from the last day I lost weight to the next time I lost weight there was 26 days in between [January 18-February 14]. ). My frequent stalls are due to having hypothroidism and having to have my meds adjusted every few months so I doubt you'll end up going through that same frustration. Also, weight loss depends on a lot of factors including, but not limited to, your starting weight/BMI, your age, how active you are, how closely you follow the nutrition plan, etc. Also, the bigger you start the more you'll tend to lose in pounds compared to others, so try not to compare yourself to someone who may have started off at a higher weight than you. For reference I lost 23 pounds that first month and my surgery weight was 321 pounds (but due to health issues, I'm not active). Despite my stalls, I've still lost 126 pound in the 13 months since my surgery. It may come off slow, but it DOES come off. Try not to stress about it and try and ride it out. Follow the plan and eventually your weight loss will pick back up again. Your body just has to adjust itself first. You're doing great, btw!

I was sleeved on 1/27/16. HW 215 surgery weight 205. Current 191. The three week stall got me but then I had a stomach bug early this week that kicked loss back into gear. I Need to get back to some exercise!

1) you've hit the infamous three week stall. Happens to probably 90% of us. Just stick to your program and stay off the scale for a few days. It'll eventually break and you'll be on your way again. It usually lasts 1-3 weeks (that "gain" is likely just water weight) 2) yes - fluids go right through you. Some people have a hard time getting them down, but I never did. I didn't drink any differently than I did before surgery. Your stomach will tell you if you're going too fast.

I'm on day 2 of the three-week stall, so I guess I'm in the club nobody wants to join now too. Tomorrow will be three weeks since my surgery and I went from 212 on Monday to 213 yesterday and today. UGH. Getting 60+ ounces of Fluid and 60+ grams of Protein daily, plus some walking. Have not gotten above 700 calories daily, including everything. I'm looking forward to being on the other side of this. It's comforting to read everyone's stories, so do keep them coming!

What's the three week stall? Im 3 weeks.

How many times have you stalled and how long were they? I'm five months in and I'm in a three week stall, it 's the third or fourth time the scale hasn't moved but for one to two pounds. I've lost 55 pounds since surgery and I'm supposed to lose 17-20 pounds by my doc appointment next month and I'm freaking out.

I'm working hard to eat clean, get my Protein and Water in, walking, and keep track of things. So why is it that I'm only two weeks out and my weight loss hasn't moved since the end of week 1? I know the three week stall is something that is of common lore but I stalled right at the start of week 2. I feel like it is a shifting dynamic and people say: do what you are supposed to do. By all counts I am doing what I am "supposed" to do. I can feel that my body is stressed and holding on so I'm working on getting as much water in as possible as well as extra sleep. I find it difficult to ingest protein in the mornings due to nausea. Not much is appealing to me in terms of food. The bigger thing is my fear of failing after the lap-band failure. I feel stressed about losing weight: this was a big financial investment and I am devoting so much energy and attention to these efforts. I'm going to incorporate eggs/egg whites so I might be able to get some more protein in. Today I have such a mixture of emotions -- frustration and anger -- with that darn number on the scale. I only weigh once a week and I'm getting ready to put the thing away completely for a while. It's superbowl Sunday in Bronco country and I'll be going to a party where there will be very little to nothing I can eat. I'm feeling stressed about that as well. All this stress cannot be aiding in the weight loss process. Is it possible to follow the rules and fail?

My "three week stall" has gone on for a month. I've lost 5 pounds in the last four weeks, averaging 650 calories per day, walking 4 to six miles per day. I haven't the energy to run, jog or swim. Meeting with nutritionist today with a lot of questions.

Do you feel tired all the time? No, I have more energy now than I have ever had in my life. Being obese is what makes people tired, not getting healthy! Do you get sick a lot? No, I got a cold last month and had one around last Christmas, but that's it. That would have been normal for me before the surgery too. I don't ever get sick in terms of stomach sickness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or anything like that. Any surgery complications? Nope. Do you regret the surgery at all? Never. If I had to have this surgery again every year for the rest of my life in order to stay the way I am now, I would do it gladly. Thankfully I don't have to though! Any tips for those who haven't had the surgery yet?? Trust your surgeon and his/her team. Follow their directions and if their directions conflict with what strangers on the internet tell you -- follow YOUR surgeon, not someone else's! Get up and moving, and keep moving, as soon after the surgery as you can. Buy lots of Protein powder samples and an immersion blender before surgery (unless you are committed to RTD shakes) but don't stock up on tubs of protein flavors - your tastes will very likely change. And look into savory protein options such as unjury chicken Soup, HealthSmart Soups, stuff like that. Get a myfitnesspal.com account and learn how to use it to log your food, customize your goals, etc. Ask your team and the folks here lots of questions! And do a lot of reading on all the sleeve forums here -- not just the ones that apply to you right now. That way you'll know things like "what is the three week stall?" and "why don't I feel any restriction on full liquids?" and "why does my stomach keep making those weird noises?" -- information is power! Are you able to drink soda post surgery? I haven't tried soda, no reason to. But I did try champagne and I have to say the carbonation felt a little weird and uncomfortable.

I'm really discouraged and feeling completely ashamed about almost EVERYTHING following this surgery. Pretty much the same amount of self-loathing before the procedure! The three week stall, the weird things happening to my insides, the stomach acid...I could go on. It's all distressing. And frustrating. Even though I'm on soft foods now, I still can't get in enough calories on high Protein stuff. I try to choke down 1/4 cup of tuna or egg salad each day for lunch but I can't force myself to eat more than 4-5 bites of it. Two days ago I decided to eat a piece of pizza and I was able to eat the whole slice! Then another a few hours later! It was music to my mouth and I was SO relieved to be able to eat something. But now? Eater's remorse. I feel like crap for doing that now because I feel like this isn't the right food to be eating. The last day or so I've done a tortilla once or twice a day with a little cheese and guacamole and have been able to eat and enjoy it. Again, I feel like this is not what I should be having but my hunger is starting to finally come back & I want to start eating more. I'm going to bake salmon tomorrow & see how I tolerate that but I really hate that the high protein foods I'd LIKE (and NEED) to be eating aren't being tolerated successfully. Please tell me others have had this happen and have gone on to do better, have the ability to eat the "right" foods over time AND have gone on to lose weight.

I lost 23 pounds the first month... but I was also over 300 pounds. Also, there something called the 'three week stall' that many people get in the beginning of their journey. That skipped me. There are thousands of posts about the three week stall so you can look it up if you want. You may be going through that yourself. It usually happens within the first month after surgery and can last up to 3 weeks.

The thing is that the scale isn't moving. I'm at 218 lbs. I'm aware that there's a stall. But isn't this rather early for the infamous three week stall? I will not despair, I will not despair. Boo!

Stop panicking and weight in once a week. Too many reasons for minor fluctuations--Water retention, time of the month, too much salt, hot temperature, workouts--you will make yourself crazy. Also know that weight loss slows and there is an infamous three week stall that may or may not hit you anywhere from two to six weeks out.

I am writing this because I've been complaining about my lack of weight loss and stall. I went to see my Dr yesterday for my 6 week follow-up. I have finally broken the dreaded three week stall that started the day I started on solid food which was the day of my two week check-up, it lasted for almost 4 weeks. According to her scale I have lost 4.5 lbs in just the last few days. I was still discouraged with the low loss, but she was not unhappy at all. They are aware of the three week stall, she also made me realize that the pounds I lost prior to surgery are and should be counted as surgical loss. Many people don't lose any weight prior to surgery and therefore enjoying a sudden drop. I have less weight to lose than many others, so my loss will be slower. She was so encouraged and made me realize that I am already over half way there to meet her requirements. Using her little calculator and making all these configurations, she said if I lose 50% of my excess body weight(average) I am over half way there, although the nutritionist and I have set a lower weight, she said if I lose a mere 20lbs, I will be what is considered a successful sleeve according to national averages. So my current 29lb loss is over half way??? I do not plan to stop at another 20lbs, but it was encouraging to know how well I am doing and will do since I am just 6 weeks out. Her visit was just what I needed. I love my Dr. :-) Thanks to all of you who gave me encouragement when I was feeling down. That's why I love this venue.

Totally the three-week stall. It lasted a bit over a week for me and then WHOOOOOOOOSH the weight came flying off. I'm averaging a bit over 4 lbs. a week now (hooray for the honeymoon period!) and 59 lbs. from goal. I know it'll slow down as I get closer to equilibrium, but for right now I love it. No te rajes!!

There are several thousand posts about something called the 'three week stall'. It happens usually within the first month post op to the majority of people who have the surgery. Your body is simply taking time to adjust itself. Most of the time there really isn't anything you can do, but to ride it out. Stalls happen. Often times, you can change the way you eat to try and start it back up or add in exercise and nothing will change. They, on average last 1-3 weeks. It'll end when it ends. Just stick to your plan and you'll be fine. I've had multiple stalls throughout my journey, including several (3) that went into the 40-odd day range. They are incredibly frustrating and disheartening, especially when you're no where near your goal weight. You don't get used to them, even if you're like me and get them a LOT. In fact, I just got out of my longest stall yet! I thought, 'this is it, I'm in maintenance' and yet after being in a stall for 46 days I lost a pound. Then 4 days later I lost another pound. So my body just wants to lose at it's own pace. You're still in the beginning of your journey and your weight loss WILL pick up again as this stall is extremely common! Just keep to your plan and it'll break eventually!

three-week stall for sure. Happens to probably 90% of us. Just stick to your program and stay off the scale for a few days. It'll eventually break (usually takes 1-3 weeks) and you'll be on your merry way again...

I think our obsession with stalls (by any name) is understandable. We start out as WLS patients with mega-losses real fast. Then we hit the (pretty common) three-week stall. Then, depending on how heavy we were to start with, we settle down to a 10-15 or even 20 pound monthly weight loss for 3-6 months. Then things slow down. But along the way, when we're weighing daily, we see a graph line (or imagine one) that looks like a trail made by a drunk chicken stumbling up and downhill on his way to the river. And here's a simple conclusion about why the graph looks like a drunken chicken's trail: Our bodies are not robots. Nor are they gas engines that always get X miles per gallon (or X pounds lost per daily calorie intake). Our bodies are complex carbon oxygen machines that are constantly producing hormones and running fancy and changing biochemistry combustions and repairing our bodies and losing weight and none of those things is linearly coordinated. Our bodies produce 60-70 hormones that have specific functions. But those aren't all produced at the same rate all the time and vary according to our ages, activities, diseases, times of the month, times of the day, and they can produce interactions among them, too. For instance, here's just one of the simplest things about Water weight most of us do know about. Remember the pre-op diet that most of us had to do for a couple of weeks? The point of that diet was to reduce the size and slickness of our multi-lobed livers so our surgeons could operate on our stomachs located right next to the liver. The heavier and slicker the liver, the harder it is to man-handle it during surgery and the likelier it is to get nicked or torn during the experience (nicked or torn liver = very, very bad thing). Anyway, the point of that pre-op diet was to use up all the glycogen (look it up) that's stored in the liver. And when the glycogen is used up, we also lose a large amount of water in which that glycogen is stored. Hence, our very rapid weight loss during the pre-op diet (and that's lost at the beginning of almost every diet in the world). Here's another thing: I think about the number of extra capillaries and nerves that my body grew when I was fatter but that I no longer need now that I've lost 77 pounds. What happened to those things? At what point does my body break those down? And when and how are those waste products excreted? And how does that process affect the arc of my weight loss graph? I got lots more questions, too! So here's the bottom line: Our bodies do not lose weight in a straight, linear progression to goal. That is a fact. We all know that. Why not? Because (as Elode said), it's complicated. It's very, very complicated.

here are the 15K+ posts (and no, I am NOT kidding) from members who've experienced the infamous "three-week stall" (i.e, just about everyone...): https://www.bariatricpal.com/search/?q=three-week stall

Three week stall ... it's not an urban myth . Google it.