Weight loss stall

[fourmonthspreop 508]

Hey!

I'm about one month post op (gastric bypass feb 14). I've only lost about 23 lbs post op. I was at 309 when I went in for surgery. I think my weight was like 314 right after surgery because of all the fluids though.

Anyway I'm getting annoyed because I've been in between 287 and 286 for the last 2 weeks. I am eating more calories now but not nearly enough to gain or even stall. I have about 700-800 calories a day right now.

Is this normal to stall out so early? I try incorporating exercise in my daily routine but I'm still dealing with a lot of fatigue and lightheadedness from anemia so I feel terrible whenever I really exert myself.

Any advice or tips? Thanks!

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[summerseeker 2,114]

Just put ' 3 week stall' into the search box. Mine lasted 5 weeks. It does work on your mind but as long as you know you are on the right track, You can not fail. Keep off the scales, Trust the process

[Sleeve_Me_Alone 656]

Yes, stalls are completely normal, even this early. As @summerseeker said above, the "3 week stall" is notorious. It often happens between week 3-6 post-op and can last 3-6 weeks. The reality is, you just had MAJOR surgery. Your body is healing and trying to sort itself out, in addition to massive dietary changes. You need to give yourself lots of grace and just be patient - trust the process. Hit your Protein & fluids, eat according to your plan, move your body in ways that feel good and don't cause pain or exhaustion. The scale will move again but it can't be your sole, or even primary, focus. If you have any major concerns, definitely reach out to your surgery team, but for now, your job is to heal and follow your plan!

[ShoppGirl 4,737]

Stall as definitely par for the course and the above mentioned three week stall is probably your culprit. If you are eating according to plan or as you say 7-800 calories there is no way you are not in calorie deficit so you will lose. Most people after stalls lose a few pounds real quick so it almost balances out. For now try to stay off the scale if it is messing with your head but just stick to your plan and the stall will lift.

[catwoman7 11,209]

I lost 16 lbs the first month and started at 373 lbs. And I ended up losing over 200 lbs. You are doing fine.

also, like the above people said, you are likely in the infamous "three week stall". If you do a search of this site at that, you will find over 17,000 posts on it. And no, I am NOT kidding. Happens to the vast majority of us.

Edited March 16, 2022 by catwoman7

[Guest]

Imagine if people didn't weight themselves in week 3.

[ShoppGirl 4,737]

Just now, Pollito said:

Imagine if people didn't weight themselves in week 3.

We wouldn’t have anyone to talk to. Lmao

[fourmonthspreop 508]

[emoji1787][emoji1787] you guys crack me up! That's probably true.

Anyway yeah I didn't know about the 3 week stall. Answers me question. I'll try my best to keep off the scales for a bit.

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[lizonaplane 1,612]

Also, you lost 23 lbs in a MONTH!!!! That's not "only" 23 pounds... you lost a huge amount!

[Guest]

49 minutes ago, lizonaplane said:

Also, you lost 23 lbs in a MONTH!!!! That's not "only" 23 pounds... you lost a huge amount!

It's so very much it is a biological impossibility for it to only be fat. 23lb of fat requires 2700 daily caloric deficit for a month. So, eating 700 calories per day you'd need to be burning 3400 calories. On average, running a marathon (26.2 miles) burns about 2800 Calories.

[lizonaplane 1,612]

9 minutes ago, Pollito said:

It's so very much it is a biological impossibility for it to only be fat. 23lb of fat requires 2700 daily caloric deficit for a month. So, eating 700 calories per day you'd need to be burning 3400 calories. On average, running a marathon (26.2 miles) burns about 2800 Calories.

If you are very heavy, you need a lot more calories to NOT be in a calorie deficit. 2800 calories would be if a thin person ran a marathon. If you are heavier, you burn more calories with exercise. Plus, I didn't say it was all fat. When people first start losing weight there is a lot of Water loss.

[Guest]

1 minute ago, lizonaplane said:

If you are very heavy, you need a lot more calories to NOT be in a calorie deficit. 2800 calories would be if a thin person ran a marathon. If you are heavier, you burn more calories with exercise. Plus, I didn't say it was all fat. When people first start losing weight there is a lot of Water loss.

Yes that's my point.

[fourmonthspreop 508]

I finally broke it! Down to 283 lbs. Thank goodness! 63 more lbs to go until I reach the goal zone.

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[ShoppGirl 4,737]

1 hour ago, fourmonthspreop said:

I finally broke it! Down to 283 lbs. Thank goodness! 63 more lbs to go until I reach the goal zone.

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Yay!! Just know that you will probably have a couple more but those will break just the same.

[Robert-J 1]

On 3/16/2022 at 12:35 PM, Sleeve_Me_Alone said:

Yes, stalls are completely normal, even this early. As @summerseeker said above, the "3 week stall" is notorious. It often happens between week 3-6 post-op and can last 3-6 weeks. The reality is, you just had MAJOR surgery. Your body is healing and trying to sort itself out, in addition to massive dietary changes. You need to give yourself lots of grace and just be patient - trust the process. Hit your Protein & fluids, eat according to your plan, move your body in ways that feel good and don't cause pain or exhaustion. The scale will move again but it can't be your sole, or even primary, focus. If you have any major concerns, definitely reach out to your surgery team, but for now, your job is to heal and follow your plan!

Thanks for giving this time frame of 3-6 weeks. I had surgery on March 14th. I lost 20 lbs, and then I've been stalled for 4 weeks. I lost more weight before the surgery than after. It's deflating on morale. I've never seen someone say 6 weeks happens, too. I sometimes feel like I wrecked my body for no reason. It's like I'm making myself miserable in the food I can't eat with no results.