Stalls :(. .. Concerned,worried?

[meaganchuckran 7]

I have trouble getting all my liquids in. I also have trouble getting all my Protein in.. I was sleeved oct 23 2013 and thru out the day drink as much as possible... I eat at dinner protein packed food just till I feel full. I've been in a stall for like 2 weeks and feel like I'm not even losing inches. I'm so nervous I think to myself did I stretch my sleeve ? Am I eating to much (I stop when full) or am I not loseing because I need more protein? I hate Protein Drinks ew my taste buds have changed so much and they make me gag... I just don't know what to do... Someone please ease my mind

[Bombs 353]

Perfectly normal. This will pass. I dropped 5 this week out of the blue. I usually stay the same for the week and then all of a sudden bam.

[askvj1 6]

The stall was like 3 weeks for me! I freaked out! No one told me about it I found out by reading this site. You have to be patient find it somewhere in you. Your body is adjusting to the surgery and weight loss does you doctor provide support groups? Or psychotherapy groups or sessions? Hang in there:)

[McButterpants 2,846]

I'm in a stall right now - it sucks, I know. Don't panic. It's your body's way of protecting itself because it didn't know what you did to it.

Butterthebean has a great link to information on stalls on his signature - I'll paste it below.

Just continue to follow your plan, exercise and listen to what your doctor has to say. This will pass and you'll be on your way! Just be kind to your body - it's been thru a lot.

Please read this. This is what's going on. There's nothing you need to do except stick with the program and keep faith that this is part of the process.


" 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."

[Alisa11/18 5]

I have trouble getting all my liquids in. I also have trouble getting all my Protein in.. I was sleeved oct 23 2013 and thru out the day drink as much as possible... I eat at dinner protein packed food just till I feel full. I've been in a stall for like 2 weeks and feel like I'm not even losing inches. I'm so nervous I think to myself did I stretch my sleeve ? Am I eating to much (I stop when full) or am I not loseing because I need more protein? I hate protein drinks ew my taste buds have changed so much and they make me gag... I just don't know what to do... Someone please ease my mind

I feel the same exact way!! My surgery was 3 weeks ago and I have been stalled for about a week. I hope I'm not eating too much. I really don't drink Water that much and hardly go to the bathroom. I'm trying to drink more but I just can't!!

[scootergirl 118]

I am nearly 5 months out. I have three major slow downs in my weight loss. The first was the typical one at three weeks post surgery. I had another at ~2-3 months that lasted about a week and a half, I am now in my third one that has gone on for nearly three weeks. I am trying to stay positive. Past experience has shown me that if I stay with the program, the stall will break and there may be a significant drop once I start losing again. While the scale is 'stuck", I try to up my exercise and to not let the discouraging news at the scale tempt me to make poor food choices. This is not easy. Hang in there. These darned slow-downs happen to us all.

[Bombs 353]

2 weeks at this point. All I want for Xmas is a pound or 2

[Alisa11/18 5]

I think I finally broke my stall after 2 weeks!! I lost 2 pounds since Monday! I hope I go down again tomorrow!! Fingers crossed!! So fellow stallers, please don't lose hope!

[joatsaint 2,814]

I don't know if trying different techniques to break a stall really work of if it just keeps me occupied?

[Bombs 353]

Ok. Drank 100 ounces of Water yesterday. Lost 2 pounds. Woo hoo

[penman53 493]

I was sleeved on the 24th of July 2013. I have had at least 4 stalls since being sleeved. Now it is the 22nd of December I am almost 5 months out and I have lost almost 90 pounds. So even though there were times when I could not see a drop in weight. I would see a drop in inches. Even though the scales stayed the same I was having to buy small shirts and pants. So just stick with your meal plan, get your Protein in, drink your Water (all of it every day) and reap the benefits of the WLS. It is worth it and you will succeed.

Good Luck, Mark Edmond Ok

[McButterpants 2,846]

I'm pushing the Water and it seems to help - it may be a coincidence, but I'll take it !

[disterdis 22]

I had my sleeve 10/24 and seem to be on a 2 week stall.

[meatball1 29]

I had my sleeve 10/24 and seem to be on a 2 week stall.

10/21 for me and I am stalled as well . 2 weeks and to many temptations!!

[Bombs 353]

Water helped me.