Help :(

[Shelly-NO-Belly 15]

I'm just over 3 weeks post-op. I was doing really great. I was down 31 lbs...then I got to 36 down...now I go back and forth between 31 and 36 lbs. I have not lost anymore weight. It's really frustrating. I mentioned the hault in loss at my 2 week follow up. They told me it could be a number of things- but that they won't really know until they see me at my 6 week follow up where they can compare.

It's really depressing...I'm at a weight that I had got myself down to using the Optifast meal suppliment program. I feel like I spent thousands of dollars (I have no insurance) on something that would've cost me $200.

I realize that there are hiccups and that I wasn't going to lose it all over night....I just feel like I've worked my ass off to get to this point and I've stopped feeling different. I've stopped feeling as happy as I was a little over a week ago.

I don't know if I should stop worrying or start worrying. I do my best to get my Water in and I do pretty well getting my Protein in. I've found it's quite the struggle to get in both. I really don't want to skimp on Protein. I have EXTREMELY thin hair as it is- and with all my money wrapped up in paying my loan off, I don't have the funds to find hair as well. At least not right now.

As far as I've been told, I DO need to work on my Water intake, which I have been and I'm not supposed to exercise beyond walking and small weights until I meet my exercise fella at my 6 week appointment.

Any words of advice? Encouragement? I feel like a complete loser. Doesn't help that my days the past week haven't been good. I'm in a rut

Thanks in advance...

[Lisa :) 231]

Definitely, definitely, definitely STOP WORRYING

If you search past (and even current) posts here you will read about the dreaded week 3 stall....there is even one by me!!!! You have to keep in mind that after losing so much weight so quickly your body needs time to adjust to that weight. I will also tell you that stressing out over it can make it worse. Just keep doing what you're doing and TRY not to focus on the number on the scale....it's just a number!!! Instead, focus on the NSV's (non-scale victories). When I hit the 3 week stall (which lasted 2 weeks BTW), I took my measurements and even though I hadn't lost ANY weight in two weeks, I had lost several inches....proof that the scale can, at times, be my worst enemy!! So, don't beat yourself up....you're doing great!!!!

[DisappearingDivis 36]

Try not to worry. I had the same problem with my Water intake. It was either one or the other but hard to do both. But as time has passed I've gotten better at getting it all in. As for the stall. No worries most of us went through the "3 week stall". It sucks because it really messes with your mind but try not to worry too much. In time it will get better. Good luck!

[Lissa 2,631]

The dreaded 3 week stall strikes again!! You are NOT done losing weight!! Don't even let yourself think that! This is a great time to take your measurements and see if you are losing inches. If you didn't take them before surgery, then do it now and watch those inches shrink!

I lost my first pants size during a stall. I was frustrated by the darn scale and, while I was getting dressed one morning, my pants fell off my booty! That's when I realized that there are lots of NSVs (non-scale victories) to be found. If your clothes are getting bigger and you are more able to do things, then you are still getting the benefits of the sleeve, even if the scale isn't moving.

Remember that muscle weighs more than fat. It's definitely true! If you are exercising, even walking and very light weights, then you are building muscle. Even if it's a tiny bit of exercise, it's more than you were doing before surgery and your body responds very quickly to that little bit of exercise. Believe me, I don't work out intensly and I'm seeing HUGE results from my 30 minutes of walking per day and my 3 pound hand weights 3 times a week! At just over 5 months out, I'm seeing definition in my arms and legs, plus my weight is redistributing itself into more feminine lines, instead of the sponge-bob squarepants look I had before!

Put the scale away, get out your measuring tape and work on drinking your Water. You will start losing again, and very quickly!

Good luck!!

[yecats 109]

The dreaded 3 week stall strikes again!! You are NOT done losing weight!! Don't even let yourself think that! This is a great time to take your measurements and see if you are losing inches. If you didn't take them before surgery, then do it now and watch those inches shrink!

I lost my first pants size during a stall. I was frustrated by the darn scale and, while I was getting dressed one morning, my pants fell off my booty! That's when I realized that there are lots of NSVs (non-scale victories) to be found. If your clothes are getting bigger and you are more able to do things, then you are still getting the benefits of the sleeve, even if the scale isn't moving.

Remember that muscle weighs more than fat. It's definitely true! If you are exercising, even walking and very light weights, then you are building muscle. Even if it's a tiny bit of exercise, it's more than you were doing before surgery and your body responds very quickly to that little bit of exercise. Believe me, I don't work out intensly and I'm seeing HUGE results from my 30 minutes of walking per day and my 3 pound hand weights 3 times a week! At just over 5 months out, I'm seeing definition in my arms and legs, plus my weight is redistributing itself into more feminine lines, instead of the sponge-bob squarepants look I had before!

Put the scale away, get out your measuring tape and work on drinking your Water. You will start losing again, and very quickly!

Good luck!!

Lisa you give great advice!!

[janerose 109]

Just got over the three week stall - mine lasted 12 days - the good side of it all is when it is over you wake up one morning and bam - your pants fall off - everyone notices your new "face" and the pounds start to fall off again - not as fast but slowly but surely.

I have been trying not to weigh myself as often and sticking to the NSV - they are so much better - gotta go - my pants are falling off me again - must readjust for the tenth time this morning and it is only 7:30a!

[christin 54]

I have lost 23 lbs at a little over 6 weeks. Stop worrying.. you are way ahead of the game! Stalling is perfectly normal and will happen many times during the process. Just focus on following your plan and the rest will happen at its own pace.

[Shells 40]

Definately hit the 3 week stall hon-same thing with me. Don't panic your doing great! It'll pass, focus on staying hydrated and eat your three meals, work out and your stall will pass. GL

[Joiebean 53]

It IS very frustrating and we all totally get it. Its that dreaded "I didn't go through all this to just lost 30lbs" I am just coming out of the same 3 week stall (lasted about a week and a half) so have faith in your decision and just know it'll start up again. My surgeon and doc said that I probably won't lose at the same rate I did in the beginning, but then 25 lbs in three weeks they considered losing to fast. (I didn't!! but they did) so they said that the rate I am losing now is much healthier. Its still coming off quickly, but not at 2-3 lbs a day. Just remember your body is in shock and you have to give it time to heal. Remember to take care of yourself! Good luck!

[Shelly-NO-Belly 15]

Thank you SO MUCH everyone! Sorry it took me so long to actually get back on here to reply- but I did read each comment via email and it relaxed me!

I woke up yesterday morning and 6 lbs was off! And it was still gone today! Take THAT 3 week curse! And now that I think of it- those of you who mentioned I need to do my measurements...I have noticed the loss- even in my WRISTS! The waist, thighs and tummy all feel slimmer. I wasn't let myself feel that though. Shame on me!

I've been doing a lot of walking on my lunch breaks. Where I work there is a mall right down the road and they have mile marker signs for the mall walkers. It's not a BIG mall, but one lap around is 1/2 a mile. I recently caught a nasty cold, so I've been sticking to the one lap. Once I can breath through my nose again I'll up it to two. Next week I plan on starting my resistance bands and once I meet with my exercise counselor (I don't remember his actual title) on March 15th, I will be starting zumba.

Feels better and I love, love LOVE the support I get from everyone on here! I'm going to make sure when I go to my 6 week follow up that they are aware of this website. SO HELPFUL!

AGAIN- Thank you ALL so much for the encouragement (and my apologies for posting something that someone else had posted about previously. I was so upset, I didn't take the time to look it up LOL)

[Shelly-NO-Belly 15]

I have lost 23 lbs at a little over 6 weeks. Stop worrying.. you are way ahead of the game! Stalling is perfectly normal and will happen many times during the process. Just focus on following your plan and the rest will happen at its own pace.

I think the only reason that I've lost more in a smaller amount of time is because my starting weight was considerably higher than yours. At my consultation I was 296. At my pre-op weigh in I was 275.