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For those of you who have had or are having the 3 week stall, I found a great article that explains the reason why this happens. It's about plateau's in general, but it really sheds some light on the 3 week stall. It doesn't use that exact phrase, but you'll know it when you read it. The author uses the phrase," the inevitable stall"....here is the crux of it. "A "stall" a few weeks out is inevitable, and here's why. Our bodies use glycogen for short term energy storage. Glycogen is not very soluble, but it is stored in our muscles for quick energy -- one pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs of Water to keep it soluble, and the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs. So, when you are not getting in enough food, your body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. And when you use up 2 lbs of glycogen, you also lose 8 lbs of water that was used to store it -- voila -- the "easy" 10 lbs that most people lose in the first week of a diet. As you stay in caloric deficit, however, your body starts to realize that this is not a short term problem. You start mobilizing fat from your adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But your body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy -- like, to outrun a saber tooth tiger. So, it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. And as it puts back the 2 lbs of glycogen into the muscle, 8 lbs of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble. So, even though you might still be LOSING energy content to your body, your weight will not go down or you might even GAIN for a while as you retain water to dissolve the glycogen that is being reformed and stored." http://www.dsfacts.c...or-plateau.html

Search for 3 week stall on the forums. About a million posts will come up. Your body is adjusting, and most of our bodies seem to pick right around this time for the first "stall." Don't worry.

I'm doing ok with food. Still on puree/soft food. I go to regular food on Monday. It's hard to believe it will be 4 weeks. I've lost 15 since surgery. Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App I'm in the dreaded 3 week stall now. Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

I too experienced the dreaded 3 week stall! Mine lasted 2 weeks! I was so upset but last week I lost 4 lbs! Just stay on track and it will come off! oh yeah and I know its easier said then done but try to stay off your scale!

Suko, first off, congratulations! It sounds like you're doing great! Now, for your concerns: stalls are perfectly normal, and they don't mean that you have failed in any way. You've probably hit the infamous 3-week stall that happens to a lot of people. If you track your measurements, you may find that they are still going down even though your weight isn't changing. If you aren't tracking your measurements (and you really should - other stalls will probably happen!) you may notice your clothes are getting looser or fitting differently. Your body is basically catching up right now. Be patient, stick with your diet and the exercise you're doing, and keep drinking. The stall will break, and all of a sudden your weight will start moving again. Good luck!

Oh man, you are going to be sooo bummed when that 3 week stall comes your way! Yes, you're a guy, and guys tend to lose a pound a day at first, but it'll slow down soon enough... just know it's coming so you don't pull your hair out...

My Dr said the first 6 weeks are for healing not weight loss. You just had major surgery. Your body is focused on repairing itself not losing weight. Google 3 week stall. It seriously feels like no one did any research pre-op and just had surgery. If you have ever read any WLS boards there are lots of answers to this kind of question. Do some research so you know what expect and don't stress yourself. You need to be focused on healing and you can't if you are stressed.

My "3-week stall" started at week 2 and lasted a month. Just keep doing what you're doing and trust the process. This is the first of MANY stalls that you will have. If the scale drives you crazy, you're on it too much.

With all due respect, no. Just...no. Gaining weight this early out is COMPLETELY normal. It's not possible to gain 6 pounds of fat by overeating as early out as she is. You could be eating McDonald's shakes at this stage with chocolate chip Cookies and still lose weight. You are dead wrong. It's part of the 3 week stall. She is just one of the lucky ones that gains while the body adjusts. She will start losing weight again once it passes. You just stay the course and let your body do its thing. Don't get discouraged! You're doing great! i completely disagree with your statements. You are entitled to your opinion but the surgery itself does not cause fat to melt. It's the severe restriction of calories. The truth is the scale doesn't lie but we can lie to ourselves. It takes like 3,000 extra calories to gain a pound (not including Water weight). So if someone is gaining weight they must be sneaking in extra calories and most likely through carbs. The poster in question has admitted she is a vegan and on top of that is not even able to eat vegan Protein. So I'm guessing her diet is mostly carbs at this stage. These are my opinions, of course, take them or leave them as anyone seems fit. The flaw in your logic is that you aren't accounting for water weight. We are advised to drink a minimum of 64 oz. of water a day. That's four POUNDS of water a day. Retaining any amount of that can cause large fluctuations on the scale that have nothing to do with calories or gaining fat. To gain 6 pounds of actual fat, the original poster would have had to ingest 21000 EXCESS calories in 4 days (PS: it takes 3500 excess calories to gain a pound, not 3000 as you said in your post). That's an average of over 5200 EXTRA calories a day at only a week post op. I don't know about you, but I was struggling to get in over 400 calories a day at 7 days post-op. There is no way the original poster is physically capable of consuming something like 7000 calories a day this early out. Unless she's hooked up to a milk shake IV or something. This is clearly her body responding to the trauma of surgery and retaining water. No, I actually addressed water weight. Drinking 4 lbs of water a day is nothing because most of it goes right out. Hint: You know you are fully hydrated when your urine is clear. I know what you are trying to communicate and I fully know about stalls as well. It's just that a stall means no movement, not regain. If the poster had edema or heart and circulation issues then this may factor in to the excess water weight. However, the poster has already admitted to her diet habits. In the long run 6 lbs is no big deal. However, if it is from consuming too much then it's better to catch it at the beginning.

I was also unable to escape the dreaded 3 week stall. Surgery date was 6/24 and I lost 20 lbs the first 2 weeks. Now I have been at the same weight for 9 days. Everyone keeps saying "hang in there, it will pass". I'm ready for it to pass!!

That's the 3 week stall, it's notorious and you should probably just keep off that scale for a couple weeks to not drive yourself nuts!

Once again I have been having bad days and have given into the sweets. I am really disappointed in myself. I need to just move on and get back on track, I have been at a 3 week stall and it is driving me nuts. My head is getting the best of me.

It's the 3 week stall. I feel your pain I'm in it right now!

I haven't experienced that yet, but one of my friends who had this done told me that happened to her. I think it's a thing, like the 3 week stall. Happens to a lot of folks.

I just came out of a 3 week stall. it started week 5. I was having about 800 calorie per day and exercising. A few people from this community suggested upping my calories. It was scary but, as soon as i increased calories, the stall ended. Coincidence?? Are you consuming enough?

Stalls suck...but get used to it!!! It's REALLY....REALLY...REALLY FRUSTRATING....but the are going to happen!!! And I gave definitely gotten on the scale and gained 2-3 pounds!!! Don't let it bother you. You will get past it and the scale will move again. I'm on quite a roller coaster right now where I only lose once a month. Crazy!! I'll drop 10 lbs at beginning of month...and then the stall belts get fastened...and I go for a 3 week stall journey!

I had a stroke at 35 that took me down for 9 weeks. I've had another at 50 in addition to 3 TIA's. Was forced to close my restaurant business due to stress and no tolerance for heat. This was my dream and 35 years of my life, 23 of owning my own 200 seater steak/seafood restaurant. Started college and will graduate in Dec. with office degree, (hate it but, I started and I will finish) Weight went from 160-238--considered morbidly obese for my small 5'3 frame which was always small until all the meds. Drs couldn't control the blood pressure pushing 300, and suddenly diabetic pushing 300. Told me I would have to begin Insulin. I said HELL NO!!!!!! I refuse! Meds were only making health worse, and body was beginning to hurt,,,joints, muscles, leg cramps. Now granted, I didn't eat perfect but, I did and do eat fairly healthy. Recent pictures didn't help either but......INSULIN was the last straw. My insurance won't cover anything bariatric so I was a self-pay at $10,000. That hurt the pocketbook but, no Mexico chances for me.(Although I have read of great results....a friend did that and has nothing but bad health issues and no Dr. wants to do anything for her in the states. She's miserable and can't even work anymore and she's only 40. Since my day of surgery, no meds except thyroid,low dose heart, and anti-depression (1/2 pill) because they started me on those at 35 and they at a b***h to get off of. In my case I became suicidal (for no reason...happy life and young family at the time) BP and Blood Sugar has been fine since day after surgery. Aug 1 was surgery date, down 25lbs first month, only 8 since Sept 1--hit a 3 week stall, and in another from 7-9 weeks. Lost 1.2 today(won't count it until it lasts for 2 days.......I lack 2-3 lbs until I hit wonderland. My first goal...I plan a manicure (2nd in my life for a treat. Overall health with no INSULIN was my main cause, but now, I'm looking towards the weight loss. I'm still waiting for that ENERGY I'm supposed to feel but, maybe it will hit soon. At my age, I'm estimated to only losing to 175, but I'm going to hold out hope for about 150 since I was always 110-125 before all the meds took control. This has caused a complete life change, and large drain on finances (with lifetime bariatric supplements and probable gallbladder surgery) Gonna shoot for the best and take good care too prevent additional problems. I like my bones, and my teeth! SHORT ANSWER---Better quality health and future with my family and someday grandbabies. Best of luck to all of us!!!!!!

It sounds like you are in the infamous 3 week stall. It is very, very common and it will pass.

Totally agree with fluffyChix, try cutting protein shakes down to one a day. Eat real food, it should help. Im 8 months out and only drink a protein shake maybe once a week, went thru a 3 week stall as well. We all will go thru one sooner or later, just hang in there and dont get caught up on weighing yourself alot. HW:277 SW:244 CW: 176 GW:145

Well...so I'm told by my surgeon. She calls it the "one golden shot" surgery. But, you also know about the dreaded 3 week stall, right? It can hit anywhere from 2-8 weeks out so I hear? Hang loose, and work your plan like your working your favorite corner on a Saturday night on the strip!

I didn't have the "3 week stall" that people talk about. I stalled at the beginning of month 3 and it lasted for 8 weeks. Didn't lose a single pound. I honestly didn't do anything different to get it started again, it just started dropping again by itself. Very bizarre and frustrating. lol.

I was sleeved on 5/6. Down 44lbs to date. I hit a 3 week stall last month. It was extremely frustrating but I hung on cause I could tell I was still losing inches even though the scale was not budging. Additionally I now have regular BMs. My only major issue is still drinking water so I have been making/ drinking infused water. That goes down well. As far as meats are concerned, I am able to eat everything. I also exercise at least 5-6 times a week for an hour. Absolutely grateful for my sleeve and wishing everyone continued success.

I'm at 3 weeks and HAVE hit the 3 week stall. That being said, I've lost 24 lbs in 2 weeks so I can't complain. If I don't lose next week, I will say I will be PI**ED! I am not hungry, but I do feel like I'm obsessing about food. I think about eating every hour and find myself nibbling here and there. I have to reign that in. I don't like eating a bite every 90 min. It literally is a1-3 bites of food every 90 min. I'd much rather eat 6-10 bites every 3-4 hours. I think I'm eating too many carbs but I like them and I can't eat just protein. That being said, I never eat a carb w/out a protein. (that goes back to my diabetic diet) Eating carbs alone means I want more to eat and want to eat more often. I may eat 4 TBS Tuna Fish and then eat 2 ritz crackers with it. I think that's a good balance. Same with soup, maybe 1/2 cup soup w/ 4 crackers. I haven't had bread yet as I cant' try that for 2 more weeks. I don't know that I will eat it again. Although, a turkey sandwich sounds really good.

Hi Folks, I was wondering if someone could share some insight..... I'm 4 weeks post op and right in the middle of the "3 week stall". I was super full after any and all liquids. Now I'm am eating food and even thought I find I mainly eat protein I'm starving. I can only eat maybe 2oz of protein at a time but then about 1hr later I'm starving, my stomach is talking, it's empty. Any ideas as to what is going on and how to deal with this? Terrified I'm eating to much or stretching my sleeve.

Hi Jinjin, I just started week 10 post op. I had 2 stalls within 8 weeks. My first 4 weeks were awesome...lost 30 lbs. Then at week 5 I came to a screeching halt...I even gained close to 3 lbs in weeks 5, 6, and 7. Yes, I had a 3 week stall and was freaking out the whole time!!! Reading these boards helped me so much. I stopped weighing myself every day, now just weigh-in every other day. Somewhere between week 8 and 9 I stalled again for a few days...BUT, after all is said and done...Since July 1st (the date my first stall started) I have lost another 7 lbs. And I'm good with that. If you look at some postings of long-time sleevers, you see the number of lbs. lost really go down after the 1st and second month. I've realized it isn't how fast I get it off, but that I KEEP getting it off...and ultimately that it stays off. I was complaining on previous posts that when I stalled at about 30-35 lbs, this was the same amt I've lost on countless other diets, it felt like the same old bad vibe. BUT with my pre-op diet loss, I am at 45 lbs. lost. Now that is a new one for me! I have not seen this weight since I was a teen. And now I know, the weight loss may stall, but it will not stop anytime soon. Stop worrying! You WILL keep losing and you will become happier and healthier! It took me a week or 2, but now I'm not worried, I am just trying to stick to the rules...and rule#1 for me, low carbs...40g or under a day if I can; less than 1000 cal a day if I can, and all my Water. Exercise is my issue right now, but it may not be a coincidence that when it increased, my weight decreased and my stall broke. I am a very "the glass is half full" kind of person, and this is what I now say to myself: "I CAN'T wait for my next stall !!!" Because that means between now and then I will lose some weight, and then once the stall is over, I will lose again!!! Yay for stalls!! (I know, I know...get over myself! ) Take care, I hope some of these words are helpful to you.