Stalls - AAARGH

[Kdragonfly6]

OK, all, I'm struggling with stalls/plateaus. I had my surgery on 19 October and weeks four and five I lost nothing, which was devastating to me. I was doing everything right, not cheating in the slightest, working out, writing down everything I ate, taking vitamins, drinking tons of water, EVERYTHING. When I looked at the scale at the end of week five and saw that it hadn't gone down at all, I bawled like a baby for about 30 minutes. I had spent all this money and gone through all this crap and it wasn't even working!! But I saw my dietitian a few days later and she told me that it was completely normal. I didn't think I should have having a stall so soon after surgery, but she said it was nothing to worry about. The next couple of weeks, I lost 7 pounds per week, so I felt better. But this past week - once again, no pounds lost. WHAT IS THE DEAL?? Is it normal to have two stalls so close to each other, and so close to the surgery?? I feel like, I have six months before my doctor said that my hunger hormones will come back, so I have to try to lose as much as I can in these six months, and now I have three weeks with absolutely no weight loss?? It just doesn't seem fair. What causes stalls? How can I break them? Do they usually happen so often? Do they usually just last a couple of weeks? I KNOW they're normal, but I didn't expect them so soon and to be so often. I could just really use some comforting words from people who have gone through this. Any advice/personal stories would be MUCH appreciated!!

 

[LisaLisa]

I think we are always so upset by stalls because we have been taught throughout our many years of weight loss attempts that it's as simple as calories in/calories out. Of course they were wrong and the body is much more complex than that. Your body is adjusting to a new norm and thankfully its not reactive to every little change. Give your body a chance to figure it all out. Chemical/hormones have to rebalance to a sudden new weight and your tummy isn't behaving like it was a couple of months ago. This is Lisa's unscientific POV, but if you search stalls you'll find lots of people who were very upset by stalls and how they changed their mindset as their body adjusted.

 

[Tokash]

Also if in those 2 weeks you lost 14 pounds thats a typical monthly lose. If you are losing big amounts at a time you body is going to stop to catch up and adjust. Just keep doing what your doing and if need be put the scale away for awhile.

 

[JudyNY]

It is frustrating indeed! But if you know you are doing everything right then you need to sit tight and wait it out. Maybe not get on the scale as often. You will notice that your clothes are getting looser. We've probably all been through those stalls, so you are not alone. While I don't know if there is any proof to this, but I tend to up my calorie take a little bit during that time just to shake things up and then bring it back down. The body thinks it is starving if caloric intake is too low, and while I am sure it will eventually adjust I give it just a little nudge. Just my 2 cents for what it's worth.

 

[3momchaos]

I stalled during my 4th and 5th week too, my by pass was October 26th. One thing that I read was if you lost before surgery you can stall sooner and maybe (anecdotal evidence) for longer because now your body has to adjust to presurgery weight loss, surgery, and post op weight loss. It was very frustrating, but I kept in my mind that stalls don’t last, and I’m not losing like I did in my first couple weeks, but slow and steady are a better way to go on this journey. Even though all of us want the weight off yesterday LOL

 

[WazzuCoug]

Your body is changing no matter what the scale says. Your body is still changing in composition and burning fat, no matter what the scale says. Every person's journey is different. Some people lose weight practically every week, some people lose a few, pause, lose a few, pause, and some people are all over the place. Each person's body deals with food and weight loss differently. It doesn't make it any less frustrating at times, but it is important to realize that if you are making good food choices, staying hydrated and have a calorie deficit, you will make positive progress.

Take measurements and check them every month. Notice differences in how you feel, how clothes fit, etc. There are many indicators of progress besides the weight on the scale.

Our bodies are not designed to lose weight, they are designed to protect it. The surgery gives us several key advantages for a period of time, that help manage hunger and weight loss, but each person's body goes through that change a bit differently. I lost a lot of weight the first two months, then it started slowing down, and November there wasn't much movement at all, but now in December it has picked back up again. I haven't done anything drastic and I'm probably eating more calories each day than I did in November, so you should just focus on calories in and calories out or what the scale reads.

Focus on good food choices, hydration and some movement while you maintain a caloric deficit. You will get where you want to go in time. Stay the course, stay positive and you will succeed.

 

[missyinacage]

Hi there. I truly understand your pain. I did not lose a pound from week 3 to week 6. And I've had a few stalls of a week or more since then. (I am 6 months out.) I am down 76lbs since the surgery. Most of that in the the first few months with HUGE losses during some weeks and no losses for several weeks in between. I saw both my doctor and my surgeon this week for my 6 month check up. They both assure me that as long as I continue eating the right things and exercising, the weight will come off. Will it come off at the pace I would like? Apparently not, since I was spoiled by losing several pounds a week and now have to adjust to a (much) slower weight loss. So I've learned to (mostly) focus on the multitude of other positive benefits I have gotten from this surgery. Also, try not to discount the pounds you have lost. We all had this surgery to give us long term success. A few stalls does not change your long term goal or prognosis. Stay the course. Get off the scale. You're doing great!