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It seems that at least 50% of the posts on BariatriPal are bemoaning a stall. Daily, and sometimes hourly, I am reading about how someone ONLY lost x number of pounds and now the scale hasn't moved in ___ [fill in the blank] days/months, etc. Oh no, they write, I am a failure/unique/my surgery didn't work/life is not fair, ... Why am I in a stall? I know I am exaggerating but I think you get the idea. Guess what? STALLS are a NORMAL part of the PROCESS of losing weight. If you want to lose weight, you will stall. Not just once, but over and over. And, guess what? A stall is where your body actually does the hard work of becoming smaller. It takes a lot of work and energy to dismantle a structure that has been holding up, in some cases, hundreds of pounds. For those who think they have to DO something to somehow "break a stall" (in my opinion, you do not break a stall, you just ride them out), here is my response: What can you do to "break" a stall? 1) STAY OFF THE SCALE Relax and stay off the scale if it bothers you so much. Weigh no more than once a week, or even less often. Weighing only at your doctor's appointments early in the process is a good strategy if your mood and self-worth are dictated by the numbers on the scale. 2) PICK UP A TAPE MEASURE In addition to using the numbers on the scale to measure your progress, take your measurements. Inches lost are also a great way to see physical progress when the scale isn't moving. Most people see the biggest physical changes in their body when the scale seems stuck. 3) TRACK YOUR PROTEIN AND WATER AND MEET OR EXCEED YOUR PROTEIN AND WATER GOAL EVERY DAY As long as you are getting in all your protein and water and following your NUT and surgeon's instructions, you are doing what you are supposed to do. If you aren't getting in all your protein and water, then increasing your protein and water is something you can do (and should be doing anyway whether or not you are in a stall). 4) EXERCISE If you aren't exercising, then you can exercise (and should be whether or not you are in a stall). You can start slowly by walking or even moving more around the house. Exercising will help you feel better, tone your skin and build fat-burning muscle. 5) MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR NUT If you are unsure or unclear about what you are supposed to be, or should not be eating, then make an appointment with your NUT (which you should be doing whether or not you are in a stall). 6) REASSESS AND REEVALUATE About the only good result I see that comes from complaining about a stall is when you take an honest look at what you are doing and realign with the program recommended by your NUT and surgeon. Have you started eating more outside of your plan? Are you restricting calories? Are you eating enough carbs and protein for your exercise? Are you taking your vitamins? Are you eating often enough? Are you eating slowly with protein first? Sometimes, all you need to DO is go back to basics. 7) JOURNAL One of the biggest things I have noticed from the various posts is how anxious and out-of-control some people feel when they notice a stall. Journaling can help you gain some perspective and deal with some of the emotional turmoil. -- Write about how you are feeling about the stall and your weight loss, and surgery in general. -- Write about why you had the surgery in the first place. -- Write about what life was like before surgery. -- Write about what you hope and dream about accomplishing in the future. -- Write about your fears. -- Write about your NSVs. -- Make a gratitude list. -- Make a bucket list. -- Write a letter to your old self; write a letter to your new self. Just write. 8) SEEK HELP Stalls are when too many people seem to revert to old, counterproductive dieting behaviors (restricting calories, over exercising, bingeing, etc.). If this is you, then another thing you can DO is to talk to a counselor or therapist or consider joining a bariatric support group or a twelve-step group like Overeater's Anonymous. The discomfort of being in a stall can also drive people to develop new, unhealthy coping habits or even transfer addictions. This is where you want to marshall all the resources you have available to you and use them. The last, and most important thing you can DO is: 9) EMBRACE THE STALL Stalls are a normal and natural part of the process. Our bodies are complex systems and not simple machines. Stalls go hand-in-hand with weight loss. If you had Weight Loss Surgery, then you probably want to lose a significant amount of weight. So, get ready to embrace the many stalls you will experience as your body is transformed. It will be worth it.

Congratulations Crystal! Now THAT'S an NSV!

My NSV today was during my 6-month checkup: they used a NORMAL adult sized blood pressure cuff on me!! Not the large one. Yippee!!!!! Aaaannnnnddddd..... I had my head down looking at my phone when doc walked in so he said hello in a normal voice, I said hello back & then looked up at him. He then said a surprised "Hey!" & "Your face is much thinner than the last time I saw you. What a difference!" We talked a bit & then when we were wrapping up I said, to my stunningly handsome doctor, "It's nice to be average looking again." He replied, "You're better than average looking." <insert sheepish grin here>. Ah, too bad he's married with a gaggle of kids. But that fact doesn't have to stop me from feeling great about myself! Yay me!

Chrissy, you are doing fabulous, congrats! How did everyone do over the 3 day holiday weekend? I survived for the most part. No major issues. I had a wonderful NSV that I didn't expect. After doing errands and cleaning yesterday, it was hot and I just wanted to sit in the backyard and get some color. We opened our pool yesterday and was not able to go in as it needs to be shocked, etc. I decided to look for some old bathing suits I had stored away knowing full well I wouldn't be able to wear last year's suits as they would be swimming on me, no pun intended. I found a tankini from NewPort News, a good 6 yrs old, still in good condition and size 14/16 {last year's was 20/22}. It fit and looked really good on me! I couldn't believe it! My husband also commented on how good it looked which was an added bonus although he's been very supportive all along.

Like many on this site, traveling on an airplane when I was super big was very challenging. I am now down 150 pounds, and had my first plane trip. I could not believe how amazingly I fit in the seat, no seatbelt extender, and room to spare all around. Yay! On the ouch side, I am visiting my in-laws for the first time since I've lost this weight and nobody said anything. 150 pounds down, and no one said a thing. I know I have much more to lose but OUCH. They even know I had the surgery (in all fairness, they didn't ask a single thing about me or my husband because they're self-involved but really???) Thanks for letting me rave and rant about this! I've decided by posting this to let go of the ouch and focus on the NSV. Thank you to everyone on this site.

hey NJ2NC! go for that November 5k! You can do it! To answer your question, yes. My first was last November and I walked most of it. I thought I was going to die by the end of it. But I turned around and did another one in March (and actually jogged a little of it)...yep...less than two months after my LB surgery (does anyone else think its funny that the lap band abbreviation is the same as for "pound"? LOL). The next day, after that 2nd 5k, I did a two mile walk for March of Dimes. I haven't become a runner yet (and don't really plan to, LOL) but I don't mind a good long walk somewhere. I wanted to our local town's 5k Booby Bolt this morning. I love that name, and you can probably guess that its to raise money for breast cancer research & treatment. however, I didn't have the registration money until yesterday so I didn't get up this morning to be there for the 7a registration. I plan to do it next year though. My mom is a BC survivor and I want to do it for her. I'm hoping i can get her to walk it with me. Next month is the Mayor's 5k Challenge..2nd annual. Its the one I did last year. This past Thursday, I went out to walk on my lunch hour. I just decided I was going to see how far i could get on the route for that walk. I walked all but 2-tenths of a mile! I'm so ready to do that one again this year! I never thought I'd be saying that. on top of that, when I got on the scale this morning, I've lost a couple more pounds, putting me at 90 total! Yay! I've only got 10 more til my 100 pound goal! I'm trying to do that by 10/25 which would be my 9 month bandiversary. So...liquids, protein shakes and extra exercise...here i come! I did buy some unflavored Unjury powder yesterday to put in soup and my SF hawaiian punch drinks. I couldn't taste it my tomato soup last night. However, in my diet Snapple half tea/half lemonade, my tea had a milk color to it and it tasted kinda medicine-y. I wondered though if putting it in my blender to mix it, somehow changed the profile of it and gave it that taste. I'm going to get one of those shaker cups with the mixing ball in it and see if that helps. Sorry for rambling again...just so excited. Come on and share some victories Ladies. I don't care if they are scale, NSV, emotional, physical...whatever. let's just share. Have a truly blessed day everyone!

Not sure where you got your expectations from, but if 5 pounds/week is disappointing then they were very unrealistic. At two weeks out I maybe lost about 3 pounds. (I don't know for sure because I only weighed at the doctors office the first 4 months) I do remember I was 17 pounds down at the 2 month mark. But that didn't stop me from hitting then passing my goal weight. Measure your success with NSVs, stick with your program, learn how to eat healthy, and STAY OFF THE SCALE. I promise you will be a hell of a lot happier.

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day! We were pretty lazy after I returned from the gym yesterday morning. However, had a good NSV over the weekend. My mom gave me a pair of jeans from a friend of hers. 18s! Yay! They were a little snug...but they won't be after this week. woot woot!

Meredith and Nicki: Congrats on some great interviews and to the new job for Nicki (and I'm putting it out there in the universe for Meredith too!). A little confidence can go a LONG way! Kymie: I'm on a plateau as well...haven't been exercising like I used to. I do have a free week's trial at the fitness center that is located in the same building as my doctor's office, so I'm looking forward to trying that out. Like Meredith, I'm just glad I haven't gained more and I keep reminding myself how far I've come in such a short time. I'm so thankful for the friendships and encouragement we have for each other on this board!! NJ2NC: have a safe and fun trip. You will do fine with the MIL's meals! And congrats on Onederland!! yay! I have a check-up on Monday, so we'll see how that goes. Here's an NSV for you....I actually had someone tell me this morning that I looked like I didn't need to lose anymore weight! Wow! wonder what she's gonna think when I hit that primary goal of 100 pounds gone?? LOL. Everyone have a blessed day!!

NSV: I tutor 2 girls 13 and 10 I borrowed the 13 year olds hoodie and it fit!!!! It zipped and everything!!! my scale may not be moving as fast but the inches are!

Rhapsody and Mara"thinner". LOVE IT!!!! I can't wait to start adding my NSVs soon!

Congrats to all of you who have lost more weight, have had NSV's, etc. It's a wonderful thing! I'm in a downword spiral at this time myself .Fortunately, not gaining but plateauing like some of you out there. Perhaps the newness has worn off for us January bandsters and it's now down to blood, sweat and tears! I have stopped exercising for the past 3 weeks for one reason or another. One, having some work around the house and have to be up early for that and when they're not here, just being lazy. Finally, work is finished and I have nothing on the calendar in the morning {I'm a morning exerciser when I exercise}. I am now in my work out clothes and ready to get up in the gym after my tylenol kicks in! No more excuses. I'm still at 2.5 in my 10cc band. Have been stuck at least once a week but I think it's due to me not chewing enough. The past week I've been consciously chewing and haven't had a problem. I go next week for a fill although I can go tomorrow but fear I might have a problem like I did the last fill and don't want to have a problem over Memorial Day weekend. {my dr only does fills on Thurs nights which I'm not crazy about but have to go along with it}. One more thing, this weekend is my "phantom" time of the month {had hysterectomy at age 36 but still get all the symptoms despite no ovaries} so I've been finding I'm eating my go-to junk food at night. Salty nachos and melted cheese and fiber thin cookies. I think I'm ready for that fill! And on that note, I'm going to work out before I find an excuse not to!! Keep the faith, we will get there with one another's support.

Hi All!! I got my first fill this morning- it was a breeze! I got 1 cc- I have a 14 cc band, and he had put 5 cc's in during surgery, so total of 6. The PA who did the fill said with a 14 cc band the sweet spot was usually between 7-9 cc's but different for everyone. They do 1 cc at a time there, so my next appointment is April 2nd. Right now (about 2 hours after), I don't feel any different. On full liquids today, mushies tomorrow, then full foods Wednesday. It was super easy, I was so glad! Nicole- some suggestions- I've been thinking of taking up crocheting or cross stitch- journaling helps me. Go to the park, read a book, get on the treadmill (or do crunches or jumping jacks, etc)- even if you've already worked out, a little more won't hurt, LOL. Stress eating- just think about why you shouldn't- how much weight you've already lost, the NSV's you've already experienced, how much better you feel- that is head hunger, not real hunger. Journaling about your stress might help with that too! I'll post more if I think of any. Kymie- that's a bummer, but you're not a week behind, you're still going to lose weight!! You're doing great. 32 lbs is awesome! And about the skin- cross that bridge when you come to it. It will rebound some, I think, especially with exercise. And someone on the boards- I think it was SHirley54 or something- said something about talking to the head surgeon at a burn unit- they need skin there- who sometimes will do it if you donate the skin! Whoda thunk it? But don't borrow trouble- lose the weight! Maybe you'll win the powerball and can get all kinds of plastic surgery (remember who your friends are, LOL). Tell us any good recipes you come across. Hi Otaknam! Slow and steady DOWN is waaaay better than going up, LOL. Someone on these forums reminded me that the first little while is for surgery and healing, then comes the several months of fills to get to your sweet spot, then comes the losing!! So you're doing awesome!!!! It 's a marathon, not a sprint. Mags- weekends are hard for me too- I do a LOT of talking myself out of eating things. I too am a card carrying member of the clean plate club- let's tear those membership cards up together!!!!! Let's be a member of the "Leave a bite (or lots more) for Miss Manners" club, LOL. Journaling will help you be aware, for sure. I think it just takes several fills to get to where we feel like it's not such a struggle always. We are doing awesome! It's been only a month or two for all of us, depending on surgery date!!!!

Okay, Kymie it is- that will give us a goal to get to in a little over a month. I want to be 231 by June 1. That is my goal!!!That is 10 lbs from now, and I've been spending about 4 weeks per "decade." I started a little note on my notepad app to keep track of my goals for this group so I don't have to go find things back in the thread, LOL. ChrissyLu- awesome NSV and SV's at the doctor!!!!

hey guys, i'm one of those goobers who weighs daily....and i can get a little stuck on it but here's my NSV 2 years ago i bought this luscious rose and ivory silk jacket (on sale!) and never had the right thing to go with it or outgrew it......Yesterday I pulled it out from the back of the closet, and miracle of miracles the dang thing fit and was a little roomy!!!!!!! I was elated...talk about motivating today i've gotten my Water in on schedule (the postop swelling is down now) and today 1 week out from my 2nd surgery (revision) i was able to walk at lunch almost my usual pre op distance let's go girls amanda

Glad to see everyone is doing well here. I have no idea where i am in regards to weight lose. I do notice that my stomach is getting smaller, YaY! I have my energy back, it doesn't matter because I am still lazy, lol. I am so over the full liquid thing. I hope to be cleared to the next next phase on Monday. I also did not exercise yet. I need to be cleared for the recumbent bike, once that happens I am going to take off with that. Still doing the Flintstones Complete. Four out of five of my terry strips came off. The biggest incision is closed. I was really concerned with that. All in all I feel like I didn't have the surgery. But I must note that I did not have hernia repair so that could make a difference. My pain after surgery felt like a bad tummy ache. And the pain on day 2 that I had felt like an alien was coming through my chest. Talk about Aliens part 7, lol. That pain was terrible but was controlled with narcotics. I also suffered from nausea and they gave me Patches to take home. That nausea really set me back. they kept bringing the Optisource shakes and they were terrible. the only thing I did like was the broth. I wasted those shakes and felt bad about it. I am so happy that so many of the August folks are getting their walking in. As long as we stick to our doctor's plan we can accomplish our goals people. Just remember to measure and take your time eating and drinking. Any NSV's (non scale victories) yet? Please share.

Hi Joiful. It's good to see you back and posting again. I've been thinking of you and hoping you'd be back posting. I'm sorry you're struggling with the sweet cravings. I get those too from time to time but usually I can just ignore it. I find if I given in to it and tell myself that I'll just have a bite, I end up having a LOT more than just a bite so I just have to avoid them altogether. How's your weight loss progress so far? As you can see, mine's been slow but I'm learning to be OK with it. I get an occasional NSV and that really helps me get over the depressing thoughts that this band isn't working quite as well or quite as fast as I had anticipated.

As with many people, I do not like to take pictures--to do so is like a broadway production because I have to do several takes just to get one I can tolerate to look at. Well, I went on my Valentine Weekend getaway and took a look at the picture on the right--my body has changed--people have been saying it, but the picture is really worth a 1000 words after 4 1/2 week post-op. My victory--I have a neck!!! ( I'm the first one in the picture to the left) As for the scale--after being stalled for 2wks, the scale moved--down 3lbs since last week.

NSV for me.Down to a size 2x and had to move the car seat up 2 notches behind the steering wheel.had my 3rd fill today and is the first time since I started this process that I slimmed or I think I did.Had mushy salmon very watery had 3 bites and felt oh I'm going to p.....I didin't but my mouth filled with saliva and I felt very nausated.All I could think was yaeh restriction at last.I,m afraid to get to excited, we will see how the next few days go. My dr. say's soft food and mushies are ok on fill day and back to normal the next.Amazing how they all differ.

Today I had my post op appt. At 11 days post op I am down 8 pounds since surgery. I had my esophogram this morning. That barium is pretty darn yucky. My doc has moved me on the mushies. I told her I am nervous about it because there are fewer high protein/low carb choices in the mushie food group. She looked at me funny and told me to make healthy choices. I thought to myself..."ahhh, you are so, so skinny doc." So I had some oatmeal and I've had some yogurt. I scheduled my first fill for April 22. I can't wait. My doc told me that she had just filled someone who after six months of fills is finally feeling resistance. God I hope it does not take me six months. Congrats on all the NSV's and the SV's. Keep in mind the tickers don't always represent loss since surgery. Mine includes the pre-op stomach virus I had and the pre-op diet. I think 10 pounds since surgery is excellent. I have also heard that muscle weighs more than fat...so those of you who are working out like crazy don't watch the scale as much as your body measurements. Christine

puppy news - thank goodness your lanlord is being realistic, good luck on your vet documentation. I am with everyone else. our doggies our our family as much as any 2 legged variety of family member :biggrin2: Fenton - yippee 6". that is truly a NSV. btw have you bought a new belt yet. With losses like this you definitely need to replace the one you retired last week and you induldged and then walked it off.... that is a good trade off in my logic. I ate out yesterday at a chinese food buffet......I did fairly well, small portions of the meat and veggie dishes, stayed away from the dessert bar, except for some fresh cantelope. no egg rolls, some sauteed mushroomsand a few pieces of fried scallop and shrimp.. After counting it all out on MyDailyPlate, it was not much damage. My damage was going to the new Hollywood Casino in Harrisburg afterwards and dropping over $100 to those slot machines... but I did get walking in also, that place is huge.

Cedar Point NSV this past weekend but still room to improve! -- I was able to fit on 8 of the 10 roller coasters at Cedar Point and 2 the seatbelt was about 2" too short and I couldn't ride. I am carrying the weight I have left in my stomach area especially so I am planning to take waist and hip measurements monthly until I know I have those last 2 inches gone that would make me roller coaster eligible for any of them! Even so, I am so, so proud of the ones I could proudly fit into after losing what I have. And, a huge NSV for me is that I walked and walked hours around the park and my knees, legs, and ankles, feet were not holding me back! I was tired but I kept up with the rest of the family niece/nephews youngsters (20 somethings) I was with. I bought a size Medium Tshirt with all the names of the roller coasters on it to remember the day! Confession time- had a huge ice cream cone that day at the park but walked 14,500 steps that day too!

While out on my walk during break time i caught sight of my reflection next to my friend (who is probably about 120ish) and i didn't want to crawl in a hole and die. In fact i felt quite proud. Also... i now weigh LESS than my husband!!! First time in my life I weigh less than the guy I'm with. Still very very far to go, and am a chronic slow loser, but I'm enjoying every little NSV!!

@@ThinJenne that's great most common NSV's are about clothing they are great 14 days til sleeve - but whose counting? good luck congrats kathy

CONGRATS Special K!!!! How awesome to hit that 100 pound mark!!! I'm back from my vacation. I think I did ok. I tracked my food every day, BUT I forgot my little food calculator book. Some stuff I remembered, some I did not. I will see how I did tomorrow when I step on the scale. I missed my wii fit, but we did some hiking and playing on the playground. Which reminds me.... NSV - I slid down the sliding board! I haven't done that in many years. It was fun! I was afraid my butt wouldn't fit, but it did and it was a blast. My son thought it was funny that I went down the sliding board. I totally enjoyed it.