The three week stall

[Kaylamh 144]

Hi all! So, I'm curious. Is the three week stall a real thing, or am I just doing something wrong? I just hit week four today, and the scale hasn't moved more than a pound (up and down) since last Tuesday. I'm kind of concerned, and wondering if other people have experienced this too.

[Babbs 14,681]

Yes. 98% of us have experienced it, and gotten through it. Gotten through many more, too. Here's why this particular stall happens:

A "stall" a few weeks after surgery is not uncommon, 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 a patient is not getting in enough food, the body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. Then when 2 lbs. of glycogen is used a patient will 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.

However, when the body stays in a caloric deficit state the body starts to realize that this is not a short-term problem. Then the body starts mobilizing fat from adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But the body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy. So, it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. 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 the patient might still be losing energy content to their body, the weight will not go down or it might even gain for a while as the retention of water dissolves the glycogen that is being reformed and stored.

[Babbs 14,681]

Also, the info I posted above is on a DS page. Here's the link if you want to take a look!

http://www.dsfacts.com/index.php#

[catwoman7 11,214]

like the above poster said, pretty much everybody goes through it. Mine lasted two weeks.

[Kaylamh 144]

Thanks! That's so encouraging

[Postop 411]

Maybe you want to stay away from the scale? I never knew about any stalls (or highs or lows) bc I only weighed at my surgeon's office during that first year. That was about every 3 months.

Just a thought.

Edited January 11, 2017 by Postop

[Djmohr 6,965]

As @@Babbs stated.....it is so common there are many threads on this site about it.

The best thing you can do is simply stick to your plan and it will work itself out.

[Kaylamh 144]

@@Postop I try to only weigh once a week, but staying away from the scale might be best. I think I'm just terrified that the weight won't come off.

[ShelliW 10]

I was sleeved 22/12/16, lost 19 pounds and been stalled for about a week. Getting discouraged because I am following my plan and getting my Protein and Water. Hope it kicks back in soon. Starting to wonder if I should have done bypass instead.

HW 280

SW 257

CW 239

sleeve surgery 12/12/16

[Kaylamh 144]

@@ShelliW I'm hoping so too! I've also heard that a lower starting weight can make the weight come off more slowly. My Bmi was barely over 40, and I was 260 on the day of surgery. We're sitting at the same weight right now lol

[Thick2Thin2016 63]

That stall is real.Sometimes I think it's more appropriate to call it a wall.It can really challenge you if you aren't prepared.Dont give in , don't back down. Do what the Doctor says and you'll kick it's butt

[Postop 411]

@@Postop I try to only weigh once a week, but staying away from the scale might be best. I think I'm just terrified that the weight won't come off.

Sounds like a good idea. I had no scale in my apt. That way I couldn't weigh even if I wanted to.

Remember, you had a DS. It's a mighty surgery. It would be very hard for it not to work.

Also, about 3 months out, I was going into the shower & caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror. All of a sudden, I noticed my waist was curving inward. I knew right then & there things were changing. It was the start. There are many NSV to be had!

[Kaylamh 144]

Thank you guys for the support! I started back with exercise, and the stall has ended! I lost 3 pounds last week