This stall has broken this camel's back

[brightnessofhope]

I've waited, like you all said. I tried upping my protein, upping my water. My weight has stuck for three weeks. I guess it moved a little last week, because I did finally take off the 4 lbs (because I was sick and couldn't eat for two days) I gained during week 2. I lost 13 lbs. the first 8 days and nothing since. I really thought this surgery would work. I've been doing everything I was told to do. But just nothing. I'm eating somewhere between 600-800 calories (of lean protein, small amts of veggies, greek yogurt & protein shakes) a day. I just can't believe how my body is working against me- I guess? I really don't know what to think about any of it anymore. I know people will tell me that everyone has stalls, but does everyone have stalls starting after their first week and continuing past the 4th week? Even when they've only lost a few pounds post op? It's like everything I've ever known about my own body has gone out the window. I don't know where to go from here. I guess it's not like I can throw in the towel, which is a good thing....if only something were happening. I had lost some inches a few weeks ago, so that is something. And yes, I need to get off the scale. I had originally told myself I could weigh every day for the first month and then once a week thereafter (because I thought I'd lose like 25-30 lbs. the first month, and THEN it would slow down to 1-2 per week). I have weighed every other day or so. Sigh. I'm posting this because maybe someone out there experienced this and can HELP me. And to remember how I felt, should things ever change. I know this is a downer, but I just need some encouragement.

[Babs4531]

When was the last time you lost 25 pounds in 29 days? Be happy with that...Allow your body to adjust in it's own way. Why are you comparing yourself? Your weight loss is happening at your own rate. Let it. Things will move in due time. Stress is part of what got you here. De-stress, calm down, stop watching so closely. Get your exercise going and watch the changes. Try to remember that this battle is as much mental as is it physical. Be willing to change your mind set. Start looking at the positives in having the surgery. Your weight loss has been kick started and now it's up to you to keep the scale moving down. It's not a magic pill. You still have to make the effort. Be happy with the decision you made to have the surgery and now go for it. Make it worth while.

[sandrapmen]

I'm having the same problem, I havent lost any weight i've been the same for the past 3-4 days. I don't know what i'm doing wrong. drink lots of water, and eating small amounts. maybe it's just inches we are losing now. i dont know but it's frustrating. just keep doing what your doing hopefully it will change. good luck!

[Jrzyguy]

You're down 25 lbs! Please try not to compare yourself to others and don't get down on yourself. We all know the courage that it took to take the steps that you've taken and it will pay off for you. The way my body is working now is completely different than it did pre-surgery, and I'm sure that it's even more obvious for women. You have to deal with a whole slew of bodily functions that we guys don't. Keep posting for support and don't worry about being a "downer." You'll get there.

[missemily516]

I know it is hard - you wait and wait for the surgery and once it's gone you want the weight to magically disappear overnight. But you ARE losing weight, and you WILL lose more weight. You just have to be patient. I step on the scale every day and every day there is no difference I feel bad, but I know that as time goes by the weight will go down. Hang in there!

[brightnessofhope]

Please everyone, I haven't lost 25lbs in 29 days. I've lost 13 pounds in 8 days and 0 pounds in 21 days. From 299- 287(the day of my surgery, 4 weeks ago), that is 12 lbs I lost in the two months prior to surgery. And for the record, the last time I lost 25 pounds in 29 days was each and every time I did the hcg diet (at least 4 times), eating 500 calories a day, and my body did exactly that, so I thought I had some basis for comparison as to what my body would do. I'm not saying that diet is better or that the sleeve is crap- only to share what my body did during those times. But the so called sleeve experts can't have it both ways. You can't say that you must try to lose most of your weight in the first six months, or a year, because you are racing against time, and it will all slow down or stop after that, and then not expect people will get worried and upset when they are not losing much in the first month or first few months, or to just "forgetta 'bout it" and just do your doc's thing and not care about the outcome.

[misshaunt]

My Dr said the Sleeve is less rapid than a ByPass. I am having mine done on the 20th. I bet when your body does adjust that you will all of the sudden lose 10 lbs. Hang in there. Not sure what stage your Dr has you on and what you are able to eat yet, but my only suggestion would be stick to shakes and liquids to see if it will help (if you aren't doing that already). Good luck!

[Ann2]

Brightness,

I've read so many stories like yours, on this board and other WLS boards. And yes, a long stall after Week One is not unique. It ain't even unusual.

Let's review the bidding:

1. You had major abodminal surgery 29 days ago. Surgery does a real number to a lot of people's bodies, which takes many weeks and weeks (and even more weeks than you've dealt with thus far) to adapt to. You've had your tender body cut into, shot up with IV nutrients and fluids, injected with significant anesthetics. It's been traumatized. It's still trying to heal. It's protecting itself.

2. You've lost 13 pounds in 29 days post-surgery, and 25 pounds altogether, counting your pre-surgery diet. To paraphrase what others have said, when did you last lose 25 pounds in 6 weeks (adding in your pre-surgery diet)? I'm betting never. Or perhaps back in your twenties when you still had a metabolism?

3. You've got another 124 pounds to go to reach your goal. If you kept losing at this rate, you'd be there in 9 months. However, you probably won't be there in 9 months. It'll take longer than that. Maybe a year. Maybe a year and a half. You're going to have to have a lot of patience for that journey. You just need to start gearing up with that kind of patience. Start visualizing how long it's going to take. Draw a chart of how your weight loss would go during a year or a year and a half. See how slowly that will go. (It'll actually go by fits and starts, not a straight line.) But start fantasizing about what you'll look like a month from now, three months from now, six months from now, a year from now, two years from now ....

4. Are you measuring yourself? What do the inches lost say? How many inches have you lost? What clothes can you now wear that you couldn't wear 6 weeks ago? Two weeks ago?

Unless you're a medical anomaly (and I would bet $100K you're not!) you will lose the next 124 pounds at pretty much the same rate other successful people do -- SLOWLY! But along the way, you really ought to consider not punishing yourself for something you have absolutely NO control over. You have got to let your body lose the weight. You can only do what you can do to support it, and that's:

* Drink all your water
* Eat all your protein
* Minimize your carbs
* Take your vitamins
* Exercise safely (and start it now if you haven't already)
* Fantasize about your successes.
* Don't fantasize about failures that haven't happened yet.

You're very smart. You "know" what the deal is. Now, start feeling it. Use affirmations if that helps. Breathe deeply (in and out) to relax. Get some exercise (reduces your stress). Get interested in something else in your life besides your weigh loss. Make lists of things you want to do, places you want to go, things you want to have, changes you want to make. Fantasize about your future. Fantasize about next week (not weight loss, something else.) Put your mind and imagination to GOOD use.



Ann

[aridge1975]

Have you been exercising? I can see how this can be a bit discouraging. Try adding more time and increasing the speed during your daily walks (if you're walking). Maybe even a light jog. Hang in there! We're rooting for you.

[BigDogMom]

Oh Kim, I'm so sorry! It must be terribly frustrating and disappointing. My dr told me before my surgery that the sleeve doesn't always work for everybody. I'm not sure why that is, but our bodies are all so different. Please give yourself some more time before you emotionally throw in the towel. Have you spoken to your dr? To the nutritionist? As difficult as it is, maybe you should completely scrap all the things you are currently eating and start over.
Please try to give yourself some grace and maybe de-stress however you can. Keep your chin up.

[Shanner]

It can be super frustrating. I didn't lose a pound for 3 weeks after surgery. So frustrating. I was glad that I'd had the surgery because after a stall like that without the surgery I would have given up if I was on any diet. I also just came out of another week long stall. I actually find that when I exercise, I don't lose as much or even gain. It takes a while to figure out how your body will relax. Try to hang in there.i currently find that when I eat more the scale starts moving

[Ann2]

Oh Kim, I'm so sorry! It must be terribly frustrating and disappointing. My dr told me before my surgery that the sleeve doesn't always work for everybody. I'm not sure why that is, but our bodies are all so different. Please give yourself some more time before you emotionally throw in the towel. Have you spoken to your dr? To the nutritionist? As difficult as it is, maybe you should completely scrap all the things you are currently eating and start over.
Please try to give yourself some grace and maybe de-stress however you can. Keep your chin up.

Dear Brightness,

It's my understanding that when a WLS "doesn't work" for someone it's because they haven't followed the prescribed process required for that surgery. In the case of the sleeve, that's prescribed amounts of water, protein, exercise, etc. It's never been my understanding that there's some "unusual" reason why the sleeve doesn't work.

If you follow the program, you will lose weight. It will be faster or slower than others are experiencing. But you will lose the weight.

Yes, you could "give up" and eat high-calorie slider foods, and it "wouldn't work." (For example, a pint a day of Hagen Dasz ice cream would overcome the benefit of the VSG tool. Ugh!)

But there isn't a group of people for whom the VSG tool and the followed process doesn't work. Certainly not in any body of research that I've read about. None. Zero. Zilch.

I disagree strongly that you should scrap everything you're doing and start over. Completely disagree with that.

I do agree that you should talk to your nutritionist and doctor and get their opinion about how you're doing. They are the experts here.

Ann

[Marvinator]

folks have stalls at different points for differing lengths of time, but I havent seen many cases on here where they dont eventually break out of it and go on significant losing spree. The only thing you can do to facilitate that is what you have been instructed to do - get your protein and liquids in, minimize fats, sugars and starchy carbs, and exercise. Then be patient and wait for things to eventually kick in gear. Your stall hit early and hard and I know that sucks because you havent had an appreciable amount of loss before hitting your head on a wall. But at 600 calories a day you are eventually going to lose. It just doesnt seem logical otherwise. I'm sorry you are frustrated and certainly can't guarantee you anything but I do believe at some point things will pick back up and you will be fine long term. And what I hope doesnt happen is that you give up and begin developing bad habits. Please hang in there.

[JustWantToBeHealthyAgain]

Are you exercising? I began to exercise (brisk walking, everyday, for 2-3 miles, on an indoor track) and the weight really began to fall off for me. For me, it's definitely exercise that makes the difference. I stalled some during the last part of my liquid diet. I think it's because I was only allowed 150 calories a day and now I'm up to 600-650 a day. I also wasn't walking much yet on the liquid. I would just make sure that you are keeping your carbs low (but allow yourself some fruit and vegetables), keep the protein high, and walk, walk, walk.

And I agree with Ann2. WLS doesn't "work" for the people who don't follow the plan. The sleeve doesn't just fail on its own. It's what you put into it. People who are eating ice cream, milkshakes, cake, and fried foods all day in little amounts are obviously going to fail. Many people who don't ever exercise will probably fail (but not all, just many). You are following the plan. You can do this. Hang in there.

[ximmia]

Dear Brightness,

I'm sorry that you're struggling and I can understand how frustrated you must feel. I agree with just about everything Ann said so I don't need to repeat it. I just wanted to say that we support you. You'll never bother us by coming to express your feelings with those of us here. That's why this community exists.

Blessings to you