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I agree with everyone on here. I went through a 3 week stall in my second month and it drove me bonkers and got all the same advice you are getting. One thing I was told was to measure myself with a tape measure. I did that on every measurement I could possibly do and I am grateful I did. Because generally it seems when I am stalled again I am losing inches somewhere on my body. Not just waist or hips but sometimes they stay steady but my bust or arms are losing it. This measuring once a week has helped me to focus on another change not so obvious to see. Also your body has been traumatized and it is not surprising that it needs to take a break every once in awhile. Be patient and as long as you do the plan and stick with it (Protein, Water,Vitamins, enough calories, sleep and exercise) there will be no way at this stage in your process for you not to lose weight. Best of luck and be patient and loving with yourself you deserve it!! Stop being so critical of you and your progress, dang it, you are awesome!!

I'm doing great. I've already lost 40 lb. But i hit that 3 week stall that everybody talks about. Please keep in touch and let us no how your doing.

Here's a good article that explains why you have the 3 week stall. http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html

I was sleeved on aug 6th also. I have hit the dreaded 3 week stall too. I have read sol many stories here I just decided to roll with it. It is frustrating, but I know it will eventually end. Good luck to you!

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

Star, That's the perfect answer!! I'm thrilled to see others working to remove the word "Only" from weight loss, too! Deana, At less than 2 weeks post-op, your body is still working hard to get rid of the gas and fluids that were pumped into you for surgery. 9 pounds lost is awesome, especially considering how much Fluid is pumped into us during surgery. You also lost a significant amount pre-op, which can slow down your initial weight loss, not that 9 pounds isn't fantastic in two weeks! It is!! One thing I've noticed is that some of us start out a little slower than others, but we're all at similar amounts of weight loss a few months out. It's like it levels off. Folks who begin with higher BMI's tend to drop big amounts of weight right out of the gate; those with lower BMI's "seem" to lose slower. But if the weight is coming off, who cares? This is a journey for each of us to a healthy weight. It's NOT a race. "Slower" losers have less loose skin, usually, which is a bonus, IMO. You just keep working your plan and you will be amazed at your weight loss! Be prepared for the 3 week stall, which is coming right up. You won't lose anything for a week, maybe more, but it is because your body is adjusting to the new, lower, amount of food you're putting in it. But, that 3 week stall usually breaks in a dramatic way. Mine lasted a couple of weeks and I walked out of a pants size during it! I've found that I lose inches during stalls. It's a great idea to take your measurements now and keep track of them. When you hit stalls, you can measure yourself and see if it's a true stall or if it's just your body reshaping you. Good luck!! You're gonna rock that sleeve!

Mine was July 11 and just today started seeing the scale move, 26lbs in 6 weeks...after a 3 week stall. I changed from working out in evening to morning and added more protein.

As you've already learned by now, it's to be expected - and it probably won't be the only stall you have. My "3 week stall" kicked in at 3 weeks on the dot, and lasted the better part of 3 months. I think I was stalled 12 going on 13 weeks before anything budged. .

Please note that I am posting in the "RANT" section and avoid this if you don't want to read my tantrum. OK so this surgery sucked royally for me. The pre-op diet was challenging to say the least. (Fat chick trying to muster up enough self control to eat only Protein powders for 2 weeks---give me a break) Then I go for surgery day and my heart stopped beating when they inflated my abdomen. Chest compressions, followed by panic resulted in my surgery being canceled....I was fine with that. A week later we try again....(please note that this required an additional week of the pre-op diet---grrrr.....) and once again--heart refused to cooperate. Took some extra hands and enough drugs to kill a horse, but I was sleeved. Because the surgery ran really long and my heart rate was low, I wasn't given anything for pain after surgery. They brought me to the room in so much pain that I was unable to see. (Seems if you are in enough pain your brain will start to shut down--vision goes first.) After the longest 4 hours of my life we finally got the pain under control.....sleep 2 hours.....then they want me up in a chair. OK. I can tough it out now. However every time they moved me I blacked out. It took forever for them to get me into the chair and I was terrified of blacking out--falling--and injuring myself. Forward a few days--I am out of the hospital and in a lot of pain. Severe sharp shooting pains in my upper chest and left shoulder---plus I can't get fluids down. Back to the hospital I go for tests and fluids. A few days later (9 days post-op) my drain is removed---I pass out and wake up with most of the pain gone. Seems the drain was on a nerve and that was causing the pain. Now I know that this could all be worse. But for the amount of pain--strike that---agony I experienced during those first two weeks after surgery I should have done my fair share of suffering. It still hurts to eat and drink--but I am managing. I can only get in 500 or so calories a day--at the most. Most days it is more like 300. By this past Friday I had lost 18 pounds. Then, I stopped. Now, 5 days later, I have GAINED 4 pounds back. How is that even freaking possible? I know 3 week stall....water weight....liver replacing glycogen..... menstrual Fluid retention...blaugh blaugh blaugh..... I AM PISSED....and rather disheartened. I told people that I was having the surgery done--now I am the go-to person for all those in my world thinking about WLS......but you know what---I AIN'T YA POSTER CHILD. This whole experience has thus far sucked in a big big way. Maybe I will lose and in a few months be glad that I had it done, but right now I refuse to encourage anyone to do it. What I tell them now is that they need to understand that this is a MAJOR surgery and they need to be prepared for complications. I also tell them they need to go to the support group because I haven't been sleeved long enough to be a good resource. That is the most positive I can muster up. I would really like to tell them that, at this point, I am not real thrilled about my choice and am hanging on and hoping for a change in my point of view.

I am officially 3 weeks post op, and have not lost any weight for the past week, whereas I was losing a couple of pounds consistently each day for the first week. The first two or three days of this stall I experienced in complete denial. It's water weight, I would think to myself. Day six and seven of my stall brought me to google searches for answers. I've read countless reasons as to why I am possibly stalling, the following being more believable (at least to me) than others: It is a normal bodily response to drastic water loss and decreased caloric intake Your body is storing every bit of calorie you take in to burn for the healing process for your surgery, instead of burning actual fat itself My searches also brought me various methods, or "tricks" people used to break them from the vicious three week stall: Take in 200 more calories a day Increase physical activity Get one more hour of sleep each night Make sure you are drinking 2 liters of water every day, and 70-120 g of protein I have yet to be cleared safe by my surgeon to hit the gym just yet because at this point, I am taking in so little calories each day (300 to 500) that I would be so dangerously exhausted. As for increasing my caloric intake, I will have to do it in the form of protein shakes. I am still on a full liquid diet (thick liquids), so solids are out of the question for me. I also finally brought myself to sign up for a gym membership for the first time in three years. I work three days a week which leaves me 4 days of nothing but free time. Hopefully this will allow me to get back into a steady routine for the next year. At least I'd better get in there regularly! For one year of membership, it cost me $459 total but with no monthly payments. I'd be lying if I said I'm not excited about going to the gym. I vaguely remember the feeling of my body after a seriously intense workout. How I somehow just felt "light", and my limbs ached and felt like jell-o because I pushed myself harder than the last time. I also felt stronger. Anyways, I hope this week three stall breaks soon.

Havent lost any weight in 3 weeks im 6 weeks post-op i get bout 60 grams of protien and 64 oz of water a day..i do my exercising. Dr wants to see me monday to see what going on...anyone have any advice???

I agree with all the above. The 3 week stall is almost inevitable...everyone thinks it won't happen to them, and it does. And remember, stalls are pretty much inevitable as well. There will be times where you will lose tons, there will be times where you stall. If you are doing what your are suppose to be doing, the stall will pass and you will start losing again. That being said, a stall is a great way to re-evaluate what you are doing...making sure you are getting in all your water and protein, being active...have you slide into old habits. It is important to always keep yourself in check...it is really easy to fall into old habits (been there!), but it is also so much easier to get back on track with the sleeve.

Sounds like the 3 week stall. I'm four weeks and it's happening to me. It'll pick back up eventually but in short, the lack of carbs is causing your body to convert some of the Protein you are eating in order to refill glycogen stores. That also causes an increase in Water in your system. Plus, your body is just starting to figure out that the "famine" isn't temporary and needs to make adjustments. There's no telling how long it'll last because everyone is different but I'd suggest making sure you're getting your water in and continuing with your exercise until it breaks.

It happens to everyone. Your body is just trying to hold on to your weight because your calories are low and it thinks your starving. It can't hold on for long. I have stalled 3 times on 6 months for 1-4 weeks. Just came off of my last 3 week stall and boom...I lost 3 lb in 3 days (this Friday, Saturday, and today). Just keep doing your diet and workouts. It will kick into gear.

I was sleeved July 17th. I too encountered the 3 week stall. It's awful. But my doctor allowed me to do full exercise on week 3 so I amped up my workout. I started jogging and i broke the stall. The only issue is during the "stall" you have to keep up your exercising or else you will stall again. And I'm talking like everyday. Learned that the hard way. Yesterday marked my 1 month sleeve-aversary and i was down 21lbs. Praying im down another .4 or so this AM. I've been working out ALOT!! So tired of this fat. Ugh. Hang in there & Good luck to you!

Hi everyone! My name is Kristin and I am almost 1 month post-op. Had surgery July 23, 2012. Things have been going pretty well thus far. I haven't had any complications (knock on wood). However, when I eat too fast I tend to throw up instantly. So I am working on that. I am supposed to be on the puree stage and I half doing it. I am also type 2 diabetic...numbers have been pretty good, not fully cured yet, but it's coming along. When I started my journey I was on insulin, 2 kinds, and was put on a 6 week diet to get off insulin. So I lost roughly 30 lbs from that and since surgery I have lost roughly 17lbs. I am not sure if any of you have experienced the 3 week stall, I was one of the fortunates that did not suffer from that stall. However, I think my stall is going to be coming this week. I have been super busy and it's been super hot that I have not gone out and done my walking. I wish I could do more exercise, but I have yet to be cleared from my doctor. I have not gone to physical support groups, being a mom, wife and student, I just don't have much time nor the energy. So I have a couple of support groups that I am in on Facebook. I guess I am looking for something more, more answers and a wider variety of post-oppers. Does that make sense? Well, that is about me. Please feel free to ask any questions if you feel I have left something out or you are just curious. Thank you! XoXo! Kristin

Not exercising can certainly be a factor in why you are not losing. But so could a lot of things. some you can control and others that you can not. First verify you are getting in enough calories, Water and Protein, other wise you will not lose. Exercise certainly helps, but even with exercise without those three you will stall. Stalls also happen for no real reason other than your body needs to adjust to your new weight etc. Make sure you are measuring your body, for the 3 weeks I was in a stall I saw the inches dropping but not the weight. Whenever I stall I up my protein and within a couple days my weight tends to start dropping. It took that 3 week stall for me to figure that out. I was eating 300-400 calories a day and 50 g of protein. Now I eat 700-800 calories a day and 75g plus of protein a day. Without enough calories and protein your body will eat your muscles not the fat and the weight stalls. Dont forget your Vitamins as well. Be patient with yourself this is a long process (marathon) and not a short race. Follow the rules and you will lose that weight, but follow the rules. Do not become complacent. In the beginning it is harder (10 weeks post op and it is still hard many days) but it gets better. Remember being stationary and eating the wrong foods is what brought us here in the first place. Best of luck! You can do this!!!

I WAS working out - but had to quit. I wound up making myself sick w/ very LOW blood pressure (80/60!!). Was having confusion, inability to speak, couldn't complete simple tasks (like showering, putting the dogs out, etc), really bizarre symptoms!! My surgeon & primary care both told me that it was just way too early to be working out as hard as I was. SO - now I'm not doing a darn thing!! I do hope to go back to walking once the weather cools off a bit where I live. I'm actually kind of scared to go back to working out after having my crash & burn incident ... how sad is that?! I am REALLY GOOD about getting in my Water, Vitamins & Protein EVERY day. I drink lots of G2 as my "water" - at least 4 (20oz.) bottles per day. Thats the only "special" thing I do (I get the impression that a lot of folks have trouble with the water & protein #'s). I eat VERY clean & I've only had alcohol one time since surgery (special occasion - best 2 Cosmos I've had in my life!). That's really all - I'm just following the rules. But - don't get the wrong impression - I've still had a 3 week stall just like everybody else!! I've just been losing well since I got my groove back : )

Don't worry, you're just in a stall. If you search 3 week stall or 4 week stall you will find a number of posts on this subject - You are not alone! You have just hit the dreaded stall that most of us eventually get to. The weight loss WILL continue, you just need to stick to what you're doing and not give up on your body. It's adjusting to this new shocking lifestyle. You threw it a curve ball. It's just trying to make heads or tails of it. However you wanna call it, your body will go back to normal and you'll start losing again. If you're looking for more information on this, there are quite a few threads I was able to find that may be helpful: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/47671-dreaded-week-3-4-stall-any-tips-to-break-it/page__hl__%2Bweek+%2Bstall http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/48315-stalled-at-3-weeks-and-now-at-6-weeksnormal/page__hl__+week%20+stall#entry443548 http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/47251-scaled-hasnt-moved-in-one-week-three-weeks-post-op/page__hl__+week%20+stall#entry432477 You will get through this!

yes - if you do a search here for 3 week stall -you'll see TONS of information. I"ve not been sleeved yet, but I already know that this is perfectly normal and to just ride it out as your body makes adjustments

I've wondered the same thing, my nut never set a calorie goal just a protien goal , make the food choices etc etc. I'm always under 1000 calories, and according to myfitnesspal that's too few. I also exercise about 6 x a week. I've never had a 2-3 week stall but my weight loss has been slow. Some people say the starvation theory is a myth ... ??? Idk but im ok if I keep moving, though slowly, towards my goal.

A lot of people hit the 3 week stall. I didnt until weeks 8-9. It sucks, but I keep reminding myself that everyone says as long as you do what you're supposed to, your body will do what it is supposed to. Also, take some measurements! I haven't lost any weight for a week and a half, but in that same time, I've lost an inch off my waist. Apparently, when you stall, your body is doing other things. It will pick up as long as you do your part.

I got the Mirena also. I got it a week to my surgery. I have to say that I'm still debating on whether to keep it or switch to a copper IUD, since the Mirena has hormones in them. The reason I say this is because on July 3rd (last day of my period) it was inserted at my obgyn's office. By July 14th, 4 days after my surgery and 11days after the last day of my cycle I got my period AGAIN! What was different this time was that it lasted a good 2.5weeks! I called my surgeon and as suspected he said it has nothing to do with my VSG surgery. Then I called my Obgyn and sure enough the said it was normal. I was so glad when it was over. Fastward to 2 days ago I started to have tender and sore breast almost like when I was pregnant. Well that scared the crap out of me and I got a home pregnancy test yesterday, thankfully it showed up negative. I've since then searched online and found that this is also common with the Mirena. And will likely go away but not sure how long. I'm pretty sure all this has to do with the hormones. Not to mention that from the second week after my surgery I've lost about a pound a week. Now this maybe the normal 3-week stall but I'm thinking the Mirena might have something to do with it. just my two cents.

I took the advise I was given and started to walk more and get my hydration in and try to eat a bit more. It maybe has worked! I finally broke from the 230's yeah!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to everyone for support!