stall?

Hey I am 3 wks post op today and not only havent lost a pound in 4 days but I've actually gained 1! I've lost a total of 20 lbs in the 3 weeks since I've had surgery but now I seem stuck and I'm afraid its because I've started eating food. This morning I had a third of a serving of cream of wheat with a half a slice of toast both with zero calorie spray butter and sweet & low in my cream of wheat. I am currently drinking a protein shake which I am sick to death of by the way. Any other April sleevers stuck and if so how long?? I ate 9 potatoe chips a few days ago and my husband said thats why I gained but my calories are staying around the 600 mark so I don't think thats true...am I wrong?

Welcome to the dread 3-week stall. It's so common it's almost a running gag line. Mine lasted a week. Sometimes they last a little longer.

The 1 lb is water, don't sweat it. Just keep doing what you know to do - it's your body adjusting.

Pay attention tho - I lost inches while I was stalled and could wear clothes at the end I couldn't at the beginning. Strange, but also very common.

Your husband may be right. The salt content in potato chips may have you retaining water. I will be post of three weeks on Friday. So far I have lost 25lbs. I too am sick of protein drinks but am so afraid of hitting a plateu that I am afraid eat junk. I go for m post of visit on Wednesday and cannot wait to eat salad. Did they okay you eating fruit or do you have to wait longer for that? I would also start walking if I were you, that really helps.

I lost 18 lbs the first week, 4lbs the second week and I haven't lost anything since! Same boat.

I am seeing my stomach get smaller. Others don't see it yet but I sure do! The seatbelt fits me better, my clothes are hanging on me but the scale stays in place.

Lately I have been seeing some water retention and I am not on my BP meds now with the built in water pill. I went to the Dr office today just to check BP and hope the scale showed me some love (no luck) and I asked for a water pill. My BP is borderline high so the water pill will help that and the scale I hope.

I know what I am eating and I know its just a matter of time. Good luck!

 Wow, chips so soon?  I'm scared that I won't be able to stop with just one chip.  I am still waiting on my surgery--one week to go!--and I'd give about anything for real food.  But I've lost 10 pounds since I started my liquids only (maybe more, but I haven't been on a scale since Thursday), so I won't risk it.

I've heard that a stall at 3 weeks is common and I am gearing up for that myself.  Just hoping to lose a good deal in those first two weeks so I don't get too discouraged!

I was sleeved in April...just April 2010. You're probably just going thru the normal adjustment as others described. 

But may I ask you a question?
I assume at 3 weeks you're on soft foods???? Are you getting any protein other than your protein shakes?  Cream of wheat...toast.... and 9 potato chips have practically no protein and tons of carbs. Instead of worrying about your calorie level I would, in my opinion, focus on the protein and fluid levels. Are you meeting your surgeon's and NUT goal for those numbers?

Make sure you drink plenty of water to flush out that salty stuff, and help the body flush out all the things it's getting rid of as you lose weight.

I do my best weight loss when I drink plenty of plain water ...64+ ounces every single day. It's my favorite thing now!

Hugs!!

Yes I am trying to eat protein, I have chicken quite a bit, and the cream of wheat actually has quite a bit of protein. I eat cottage cheese, yogurt, egg on occasion. Any other suggestions on how I could eat more protein in the soft food stage?

I loved cheese and refried beans with some plain, fat-free greek yogurt - which I find heartier than sour cream. I love it still! Lots of protein in that mix! And a variety is you can use black beans, too. I'm loving the fat free vegetarian refried beans! I add a tablespoon of mild salsa now and have it at least once a week.

You can add fresh fruit to the plain greek yogurt, too. It's great with blueberries and bananas for desert! Or strawberries! Have fun with it!

Hugs!

I actually gained a little more than 10 lbs from the morning of my surgery till the morning after I got home. I know it was water weight, but it took a while to lose it. Then at three weeks, I had the "three week stall". Try to get all the protein in and sip, sip, sip water. I couldn't have real food (only soft) till 6 weeks after surgery. I still haven't had chips. It is not unusual to have a stall or even gain a pound or two. Everyone is different so you can't go by what others are losing. Do as your doc and nut instructed and you'll be fine. I don't count calories, only protein. I go see the nut Wed and I'm gonna ask if I should be counting anything else. Good luck!!