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I was a low bmi so I only told family and a few close friends, only one friend from work. I didn't tell my boss or people from the office because I'd have to listen to a ton of "why don't you lose weight normally", "you're not THAT fat" etc. It's very hard to convince people that although I can lose weight, I can't keep it off and that the whole weight issue is messing with my head, let alone completely ruining my health and body. It's so weird that people are so kind and receptive when you tell them you need a hernia repair, but are terribly judgmental if you talk about weight loss surgery. I mean, obesity is a disease and there are levels of trying to fight it (diet, exercise, restrictive eating, going to a dietitian etc and finally weightloss surgery) but people never understand when you reach the final stage and opt for surgery. Though I have to say I couldn't care less. This surgery was one of the best things I did for myself, I returned to work after 14 days, and I broke my 3 week stall today(yay!) - so, no judgment is getting me down!

Awesome Barb!!! Do not worry, you are at the 3 weeks stall. Your weight will pick up soon Relax and let the magic happen!

Welcome, Dianne and Dan! It's been a while since I last posted -- we moved to Durham about 3 weeks ago and we are STILL knee deep in unpacked boxes. Most of the hard work is done, but there is still a lot left to do. I'm hoping to get on to "real life" mode in another 2 weeks at the most. I am 10 days shy of being 3 months out from my surgery. I had a totally uneventful surgical and post surgical experience and continue to do well physically. Getting enough Protein and fluids in has never been a problem. I did really well with weight loss the first month, hit a 3 week stall, and have done reasonably well in the last month. I guess all of the stair climbing and constant walking around involved in packing and unpacking helped! I have noticed that since I have been on "real" food, I have had a tendency to revert back to some of my prior bad behaviors. Being in a state of household upheaval has not helped the process! Now that things are beginning to get back to normal, I am going to redouble my efforts to get back on track and to start exercising on a regular basis. I hope everyone is doing well and that we can make this string a more lively place and support each other in our journey! -- Carol

I do cardio at 38 day out. Also yoga and pilates. I have not been cleared for lifting weights yes until next week. Im still in the 3 week stall but staying positive. I eat about 1000 calories

Sounds like you're dead in the middle of the 3 week stall. Many people hit this inevitable stall. It's nothing to worry about and there is nothing you can do about it except don't panic or stress...just keep doing what you're supposed to do. In my sig there is a link explaining why it happens, but I'll just cut and paste it here for everyone to read....good luck and hang in there. It will end on it's own.... Weight Loss Stall or Plateau A weight loss stall or plateau is an extended period of time during reducing efforts where is there is no weight loss according to the scale and no loss of inches according to the tape measure. This is why it is so important to take your body measurements before surgery, so you'll have a reference as your weight loss progresses post-op. We suggest you take measurements of your chest, waist and hip, neck, upper arm, thigh and calf. Be aware it is very common for your weight loss to "stall" shortly after surgery. Diana explains the reason for this below. The Inevitable Stall By Diana C. 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. Breathe, and fuggedaboudit for a few days. What You Can Do About a Stall or Plateau If you are experiencing a post-op weight loss stall or plateau further out there are a few possible causes. First, check that are you really in a stall. If the scale has stopped moving you may be losing inches, so check your measurements. Too Many Carbs? Carbohydrates can start sneaking into your foods without you being aware of how quickly they are adding up. For more information on carbs, see our section on Carbohydrates. If you are struggling with your weight loss you may want to examine your daily carb count. You can try to keep your carbs under 50g a day and see if that makes a difference in your weight loss. Do not eat carbs before bedtime as it triggers insulin and initiates fat storage. There are some great web site resources you can use to keep track of what you are eating. Fit Day Spark People - If you join Spark People also join the DS group. The Daily Plate Calorie King For more tips on keeping a food journal see the Personal Nutrition Guide. Eating Enough? If you are under-eating or go more than 4-5 hours without eating, your body will shift into fasting mode, slow your metabolism and conserve your stored energy (fat). This can contribute to a weight loss stall or plateau. Make sure you are eating small meals or small Snacks throughout the day and also ensure you meet your daily Protein requirements. Try eating some protein with every meal or snack. For more information on protein requirements see our section on Protein. Drinking Enough? An adequate level of water in your body aids in the effective breakdown of fat. The daily minimum recommendation is 64 Fluid oz of water a day. If you are in ketosis you will need to drink even more water to ensure the ketones are flushed out of your system. You may also need more than the minimum amount of water if you are exercising or live in a warmer or dry environment. Exercising? Exercise can increase your metabolism and burn fat. Strength training will build muscles and will boost fat burning. In a stall you can try increasing your volume of exercise or changing up your routine to overcome a weight loss stall or plateau. If you have been doing mainly aerobic activity, try doing a bit of strength training, and if you have been doing mainly strength training, try an aerobic work-out. The High Fat - High Calorie Stall Buster Many DSers swear by the fat/calorie shock as an effective weight loss stall or plateau buster. Having a day of higher fat and calorie eating followed by a returning to consistent low carb eating can sometimes "shock" your body back into weight loss mode.

oh thank you so much for this encouragement!! i had heard about the 3 week stall but thought it was a myth!! i am increasing protein & water today!!

Hey all. I am 4 weeks post op. I have been at a stall since week 3. I am 5'5"and now weigh 219lbs. I am down only 15 lbs in 4weeks. My protein intake is at about 54 gms per day. My caloric intake is at about 400-700 cals per day. My fluid intake is about 48-52 oz per day. I need some encouragement. click on "like" to give me a boost, or post something positive. Thanks to this forum for always being supportive! You all rock!

At my 3 week stall I found that even though the scale wasnt moving, I was still losing inches. Like Decembersleever said, it must be our bodies just catching up. I broke thru mine by upping my calories a bit with some good fats like sliced avocado or peanut butter. I broke thru but it was only a couple of pounds. I tend to lose about 2 to 3 pounds every week and a half. Its slow but as long as the scale doesnt go UP, Im all good with it. Hang in there beautiful.

I was sleeved September 27th. Down 40 lbs as of today. I am just starting to lose again after a 3 week stall.....finally!!!!

Congratulations! "Only" 33 pounds in the 3 weeks since surgery! How do you show your face? You must be so ashamed of yourself. 🤣 Be warned you are on the threshold of the infamous 3-week stall. Before you panic and post about your stall, search "3 week stall" then change nothing and keep doing what you are doing. Good luck, Tek

Its a lovely ole stall. I am 5 mths out and I've had 3 stalls. 1 lasted a week. 1 lasted 3 weeks and this one has been a month long. When I come off a stall I drop 4 or 5 pounds in a few days then it levels out to 2lbs a week. Usually if I up my calories a bit it will break the stall. The 3 week stall was awful....I did everything I can think of and I stayed stuck. This stall I'm on now I think is the result of hormones on top of a regular stall. And I started the stall after a week of having Christmas Cookies (just 1 or 2) everyday for about 5 days. This stall is killing me! But, I know it will eventually start coming off again in due time. I know I'm doing everything right so theres no reason for it other than my body adjusting to everything again. Part of the process is what I'm told

i agree it sounds like the dreaded 3 week stall you will be fine just let your body catch up to your weight loss

Good for you!!! Congrats on your weight loss! I am glad you decided to go through with it. Thanks for the info about the 3 week stall. At least I will know it is normal if it happens to me:)

I have a 10cc band and I was at 7.75cc for several months. Weight loss was slow but steady...1- 1.5 lbs a week with a 2-3 week stall every few week. I had an adjustment on September 20. She added .30cc to bring me to 8.05. I was fine perfectly fine....great restriction....great everything. I got a cold, lost my voice for a couple days and had a weird cough. I had a metallic taste in my mouth and my DH was concerned that I had silent GERD. I went to the doc on Oct 11. I had lost 7 pounds in 3 weeks. She took out .20cc to be on the safe side leaving me with 7.85cc in my band. The cough is gone...but now I am STARVING and I have gained 2 pounds. It doesn't make sense to me-- I have more in my band then I did for the last 3 months. Can a small unfill make you feel like you you don't have a band at all? I mean I am STARVING....worse than any bandster hell I may have gone through. I still have a numbness on my tongue that comes and goes but I am not coughing, spitting up, and I can eat drink just fine. Is this something to worry about? Should I go back and get some put back in my band? Any tricks or advice you can offer?? Thanks!

So Monday was day 19 post op and (with my surgeons blessing) I went back to Crossfit. I used to work out 5 days a week, but I wanted to ease back in and told myself I would only go Monday, Wednesday, & Friday. Well, after Monday & Wednesday I was so sore that I skipped Friday. Instead I walked briskly around a track with a friend (who is getting sleeved next month!) for 1.5 hours. After doing yard work today I had the urge to get my sweat on, so our family (me, H, & 3 daughters) went on a 1.5 hr walk/hike at a local wildlife reserve that has lots of hills. I was exhausted after but glad I got in 4 days of exercise this week. My alarm is already set for 4:30 am so I can go back to Crossfit tomorrow morning I'm officially in the 3 week stall, btw. The scale hasn't moved since Wednesday. I'm doing great with my protein & fluids. I'm keeping my sugar & carbs down (between 20 & 30) and tracking EVERYTHING in my app, so I'm just gonna have to wait this out. Also had my 1st NSV today - I wore shorts! I had these shorts for 4+ years but always had such a muffin top that I wouldn't wear them. On a whim I tried them today & they are huge on me. I had to constantly pull them up

So when everyone talks about the dreaded 3 week stall how are we to look at it? Do you stall around 3 weeks post op? Or do you stall for 3 weeks? I have stalled for around 3 weeks now and am hoping to start losing again, I also started this stall around 2-3 weeks post op.

Thanks for all the support you've given me. I realize this is just part of my 3 week stall. It helps me psychologically to realize this is normal and accept it. No matter what, life is still better than pre surgery.

Not enough protein, not enough water, and not many calories will cause a body to go into conservation mode for a little while. Do a search on dreaded "3 week stall" . It happens/ happened to all of us. Don't panic, it passes. Keep up on your walking, nutrition and fluids and you will be fine. I think 14lbs in 2 weeks is awesome!

4 weeks today and lost 4 pounds this week....3 week stall after surgery...so its moving fast right now...

Hi everyone, I am 5 weeks, almost 6 weeks since my gastric bypass. I did have an IUD put in on day 9 and haven't stopped bleeding. That might be TMI but it might help explain some things. After week 2, I got down to 261lbs. I was 283 in the hospital after surgery. I did really well. Now I'm up to 266.5. Some daily info on me is my BMR is 1962.85, I use about 2,777 calories a day, I take in about 60 to 70 oz of water, and I eat about 800 calories a day. Why am I gaining weight? I've been around this weight for the last 3 weeks. I've heard of stalls, but a 3 week stall right out of the gate? Am I failing at weight loss surgery? As far as exercise, I haven't been released to do anything besides walk, and I could be better at that. I will get on that actually, going to try to hit the gym tomorrow and get back on track with that. My food looks like this: Morning: Protein shake with 20g protein, 9 carbs, 7g fiber, 2g sugar (I have to use plant based for it to not come back up) I add 8oz of almond milk and decaf coffee. I use very low fat low sugar almond milk with 30 calories. Lunch: either 2 pieces of sliced turkey with 2 pieces of thin sliced cheese or Tuna or Greek Yogurt and a baby bel Snack: light baby bel Dinner: Usually the same as lunch, however, I haven't been tolerating much for dinner very well so I have had two night of cherrios and almond milk for a total of 130 calories. I was released to eat cold cereals as long as they have less than 3g of sugar. I will take any advice, any dinner advice, any work out advice. Please help a momma out!!! Thanks

It sounds like you are on the 3 week stall. I think we both did a good thing by putting the scale away. We just started our journey and are doing the right things, we just have to be patient I guess : ) after all we didnt put it on over night and we cant take it off over night.

I'm also 4 weeks out. Have struggled to get my proteins in. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don't. I have had no appetite. I eat because I have to or it's "time". Although today I've been struggling with a bit of "head hunger". The dreaded 3 week stall hit me this week and instead of stalling, I've gained 2 pounds. For someone who is lucky to get 700 calories in per day without resorting to high carb foods, this setback is VERY troubling. Has me wondering if I have gone through this whole thing for nothing. I keep thinking, "If I'm going to gain at least let me enjoy getting there". Hence the "head hunger".

Congrats!!! Hopefully I'll make it there too one of these days - Right now I'm stuck in a 3+ week stall that is VERY discouraging at the 8 week mark...

Yes there is the 2-3 week stall, don’t worry , the scale will drop big very soon. It still is not very cooperative I’ve found - I will work out , drink liquids and nada. My nut says that when I lose weight the fat cells fill with water for a time a she said use cucumber water to flush out cells .. like a natural diuretic. But at the start ur body is super confused so don’t fret - it doesn’t know if it’s in a famine or what . Just stay the course , walk as much as you can , and drink ur liquids .

this is so fabulous it deserves repeating. Based on your topic I was willing to jump on board and give my own experiences... basically I agree with everyone else. Your journey is YOURS. Try not to compare to others, as everyone is different. Also, I too was going to tell you about the 3 week stall (and 6 week, and 12 week if you are like me). You are losing, and that is a huge positive to look at. Pretty consistent with what everyone else is saying. However, what I really want to comment on now is your above post. Please remember that *YOU* initiated the discussion by posting to an open forum. That means you wanted people to respond to you. You don't get to choose what those responses have to say. You don't have to agree with them, but you did solicit them. If you don't want to hear what people have to say then perhaps you should stick to reading the boards to garner your information and refrain from asking questions of which you might not like the responses. Just my 2 cents. yes. THIS.