Weight Stalls After Bariatric Surgery *Video*
Why do weight stalls happen after bariatric surgery??
Updated May 2025
If you’ve had bariatric surgery and suddenly the scale stops moving — even though you’re doing everything right — I want you to hear this loud and clear: weight stalls are part of the process. It’s not broken!
Weight stalls are a normal, expected, and even necessary part of post-op weight loss. They are frustrating, yes — but they are not failure.
This article/video will walk you through:
What’s actually happening when your weight stalls
How to check in with your bariatric basics (without spiraling into diet mode)
Simple mindset shifts that help you stay focused on your real progress
What’s Actually Happening in a Weight Stall
Let’s bust the myth: a stall doesn’t mean your tool isn’t working. It doesn’t mean your body is done losing. And it definitely doesn’t mean you’re broken.
Here’s what is happening:
Your metabolism is adapting
Metabolism is a fancy word for how your body utilizes energy. Bariatric surgery is also called metabolic surgery. It allows your body to be more metabolically responsive, which is awesome! But with that comes a lot of change on a cellular level that you won’t see on a scale.
The scale is not a sophistical measure of body change. We simply can’t see all the ways things are adapting in your body. So don’t give the scale more clout than it’s due. The scale might pause, but your body is still changing.
Water retention and digestion may impact the scale
Constipation, sodium, inflammation from the surgery itself or from workouts — they all cause water weight shifts. Sometimes the scale is reflecting temporary changes and fluctuations, not fat gain or loss.
The scale doesn’t tell us body composition (lean mass versus fat mass)
Even if your scale isn’t reflecting change, you might be losing fat and gaining lean muscle. Especially if you’re staying active. That’s progress, not a plateau.
Gaining muscle is an investment in your future weight management plan. Muscle is metabolically active and will help you manage obesity and keep your bones and joints safe – we love preserving lean body mass during significant weight loss…not just getting smaller. Body composition is far more helpful for the long game strategy.
What to DO during a Weight Stall after Bariatric Surgery
When you’re annoyed and you want to see the numbers move and feel confident that you WILL see more body change, here’s what you can do:
Check on your 5 “Bariatric Pillars”
I talk more about the Pillars on this blog about breaking up with all-or-nothing thinking. Here is a recap:
Water – Aim for 64–80 oz daily. Dehydration can slow your metabolism.
Protein & Food Quality – Focus on lean proteins and veggies. Don’t panic-cut calories. Eat two bites of protein to any one bite of veggies. Get back to meal planning and look out for grazing. I spend a lot of time supporting members of my website on this pillar and making it work for them in their daily life.
Movement – Even light movement helps. Walking, stretching, bodyweight exercises.
Sleep – If you’re sleeping less than 7 hours, your hormones (like ghrelin and leptin) may be out of whack.
Vitamins – Deficiencies can affect energy and hunger cues.
Keep a 3 Day “Awareness” Journal
This isn’t about counting every calorie — it’s about noticing patterns with curiosity, not criticism.
Track:
What and when you eat
Hunger/fullness before and after meals
Water intake
Energy, mood, sleep
You might discover something simple: your portions have crept up, you’re skipping lunch, or stress is interrupting your routine.
Don’t Do it Alone!
One of the hardest parts of a stall is the emotional weight that comes with it.
“Am I doing this right?”
“What if I’m the one person it won’t work for?”
“Why is this happening now?”
That’s exactly why support is key.
Talk about it. Ask for cheerleaders. Message your supportive friends. Ask the questions that are swirling in your head. Inside our Premier Access Membership, you’ll find answers — and people who get it. Because yes, weight stalls happen to everybody. Even Cindy, who lost 70 pounds of regain and is finally thriving — she had stalls too.
Mindset Shifts that Make a Difference During a Stall
If the scale hasn’t budged for weeks (or more), it’s easy to panic. But instead of going into “fix it” mode, try these mindset resets:
Progress isn’t just pounds. It’s energy, consistency, confidence, and food peace.
“Cutting carbs” isn’t a goal. “Planning my meals this week” is.
You are not stuck — you’re recalibrating. Just like your body, your mind might need a pause to reflect and recharge.
This was never the last resort – your journey is ongoing.
Body change is not a straight line and it’s not just about weight. Your body is responding to your healthy inputs regardless of the scale. And yes, you’ll have pauses, zigzags, and plateaus. But with the right support and tools, you’ll always find your way forward.
If you’re stalled right now, remember:
This doesn’t mean you’re failing.
Your body is doing what it needs to do.
You can take action without panic.
You’ve done hard things before. You’ll get through this, too!
Ready for support through the stall?
If you’re ready to go from frustrated and stuck to confident and focused — the Premier Access Membership was made for this exact moment.
Inside, you’ll get:
On-demand videos & tools to troubleshoot stalls
Coaching support from a bariatric dietitian
Recipes, meal plans, and printable tools
A community of others who get it
How long do stalls usually last? It’s been 2 weeks for me. I am 10 weeks post gastric sleeve
It varies so much for each person it’s hard to say. I’m sure that 2 weeks of the scale not moving just 10 weeks after surgery is frustrating! It really is common. Some may hit 3 weeks but I wouldn’t say many patients hit a 4 week stall unless they are really off track with the program. Members to FoodCoachMe can connect with me on the Baritastic App and I can look over food journals and provide any help to get through the stall! Otherwise I would try not to weight more than twice a week and pay attention to how your close fit and how you feel. Try to get your mind off of it the best you can :)
It is Really Frustrating To Have a Stall, i Am 4 Weeks Almost 5 Weeks Out & I Have Hit That Dreaded Stall, But I Have Done Some Research & I Will Reset Myself Again I Want To Thank You for Your Ideas & Tips They Are Very Helpful To Read Them.
Thanks,
Wendy :)
I have also hit a stall at 1 month out. It’s frustrating to have so many well meaning friends telling me what to do. I’m so confused I feel lost. I’m struggling with fluids because whenever I drink I get horrible gas pains in my chest. I’ve tried drinking all different ways, but the gas persists. Any hints? I hope I can start to travel the journey again.
@Lucie S I would call your nurse regarding the gas because every program does differ a little. It does tend to work itself out and most patients prefer warmer liquids until it passes. The weight loss WILL come! Right now the number one focus is healing and weight loss is secondary. As you get further out then weight loss will take the front seat again. Keep working on those liquids and smile when friends give advice but stick to the program and try not to weigh too often :) Measurements or how clothes fit are much more encouraging!
Almost 5 months out from the sleeve Starting weight 315 Surgery weight 298 current W 240. Haven’t seen the scale move in a month now, so scared My body is done losing weight
@Stephanie congratulations on your success so far!! Members to my site are encouraged to send me food journals (many use Baritastic) and I can get a closer look to give any feedback what might help break through a stall. Water, walking and watching those pesky carbs are the biggest keys but there are certainly lots of other factors. 5 month stalls are very common! I know they are so obnoxious. Try not to weigh too often and find other ways to measure progress. This is not the end of your story!
Hi Steph,
I too have stalled. Not a loss in almost 5 weeks. So frustrated. Would love to hav ed you review my food log.
Aurora
@Aurora absolutely! As a member you can email me at steph@bariataricfoodcoach.com for food journal review :)