Hitting a weight stall after gastric sleeve surgery can be one of the most frustrating parts of recovery. You step on the scales expecting another drop… and nothing. Then you weigh again the next day, and still nothing. It’s easy to feel disheartened – we’ve both been there – but the truth is, stalls are completely normal.
Almost every patient experiences one. They don’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. They mean your body is adapting.
Why Weight Stalls Happen
Research shows that most people hit their first stall between weeks 2 and 7 post-surgery. This happens because your body has just been through a huge trauma and is recalibrating.
Immediately after surgery, your calorie intake drops dramatically, and your body goes into a sort of “shock mode.” At first, it burns fat rapidly to keep you going. But after a few weeks, your metabolism slows down slightly to protect you from what it sees as starvation.
That’s when the scales stop moving — even though your body is still changing.
When we hit our first stall (around week three), it felt like all progress had stopped overnight. The reality? We were still losing inches and reshaping our bodies – we just couldn’t see it yet.
What Our Weight Stalls Looked Like
For both of us, the pattern has been consistent: one week, nothing changes; the next, we’ll drop 4–6 pounds in one go. It’s as if the body pauses, catches its breath, and then suddenly lets go again.
We’ve now learned that stalls are the pause between progress, not the end of it. Once we stopped panicking and started observing, we noticed how much our energy levels, skin tone, and fitness improved even when the scales didn’t move.
How We Manage and Break Through a Stall
Here’s what’s worked for us – both physically and mentally – when progress slows.
1. Track Body Measurements
We take measurements every two weeks – neck, chest, belly, hips, arms, and thighs. This has been a lifesaver for motivation.
When the scale stays still, our tape measures still show progress. Those centimetres dropping from your waist or arms often reflect genuine fat loss even when your body weight holds steady.
Tip: The body retains water after major weight loss as it adjusts to tissue repair, so don’t assume “no loss” means “no progress.”
2. Don’t Obsess Over the Scales
In the early days, we both made the mistake of weighing ourselves every morning. It did nothing but create stress.
Now, we only weigh in once every two weeks – the same time we do our measurements. That rhythm feels healthier, and it reflects the bigger picture.
Small day-to-day changes on the scale can be caused by:
- Fluid retention
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Sodium intake
- Stress and sleep
Focusing on weekly or fortnightly averages is far more accurate than chasing daily numbers.
3. Review Your Diet
If a stall lasts more than a couple of weeks, we review our intake.
- Protein first: This keeps muscle mass stable while fat drops.
- Low carbs: Simple carbs can slow progress and cause water retention.
- Hydration: We aim for at least 2 litres of non-protein fluids per day (not counting shakes).
Even small habits – like finishing meals with a protein source instead of a soft food – can restart your metabolism.
For us, upping hydration and cutting back on high-sugar yoghurts helped end our first stall within a week.
4. Move Your Body
Activity is the best natural way to break a stall. It doesn’t need to be intense – consistency matters more. We started by walking, if you’re already walking, try to add a bit of variety:
- A longer walk once or twice a week
- Light resistance exercises
- Seated stretches or desk workouts
Movement encourages circulation, aids digestion, and burns energy – all things your healing body needs.
5. Shake Things Up
Sometimes, stalls happen because your body adapts to the same routine.
If you’ve been eating and exercising in the same pattern for weeks, it can help to “shock” your system gently – try a new workout, adjust your calorie timing, or swap breakfast and dinner portions.
Even small tweaks can remind your body that it’s not in famine mode anymore.
6. Take Progress Photos
We can’t stress this enough – take photos regularly. It’s not vanity; it’s proof.
In our first major stall, James’ weight hadn’t changed for three weeks, but his progress photos showed a visible difference in his face, waist, and arms. Kirsten noticed her posture and energy improved too.
When your brain says “you’re stuck,” photos remind you that you’re not.
Common Mistakes During a Stall
It’s easy to panic and make changes that backfire. Here are a few traps we’ve seen (and fallen into ourselves):
- Cutting calories too low: This slows metabolism even further.
- Skipping meals entirely: It can trigger fatigue and hypoglycaemia.
- Over-exercising: Especially if you’re still under 6 months post-op, recovery matters more than intensity.
- Comparing to others: Everyone’s pace is different – even between the two of us, our losses happened at completely different speeds.
What We’ve Learned
We’ve both come to see stalls as part of the process, not a failure. Your body has lost weight faster than it ever has before – of course it needs time to rebalance.
Even when the scale isn’t moving, fat is still being replaced by muscle, water, or healing tissue. Patience pays off.
Every time we’ve hit a stall, the key has been to stay consistent, stay hydrated, and trust the process. The next drop always comes.
If you’re in a stall right now, you’re not alone – and you’re not failing. This stage is a sign that your body is adjusting, not resisting.
Keep your focus on the bigger picture:
- Inches lost, not pounds.
- Energy gained, not calories burned.
- Health restored, not perfection achieved.
Stalls are temporary, but progress is permanent when you stay consistent.
Disclaimer: This post is based on our personal experience. It’s not medical advice. Always consult your bariatric team or GP before making dietary or exercise changes.