Hi All

I am 5 weeks out of surgery and I have not lost a pound in 8 days. I do not eat more than 800 calories a day but I do like half sour pickles and eat like 5 or 6 a day. I am aware that salt makes you retain water but I also take a diuretic every morning and it drains me. I just feel for all the effort and trouble I wet through to do this I am down that I thought the weight would come off easier since I have so much to lose.

Welcome. It is common for people to encounter stalls. The most important requirements after surgery is to meet your daily Protein, Fluid and Vitamin requirements. food is secondary provided you do not exceed your meal volume or food category requirements. Weight loss is achieved by controlling food volume after surgery. Your body will convert stored fat into the energy that drives your body. Thus you lose weight.

Although some plans are different, at 5 weeks doesn't your plan limit you to the puree stage. Your body is in a major heal mode for the first couple months and you should not be on solids until week 9. If the 5 or 6 half pickles a day is in addition to your meals, then you are probably exceeding your meal volume requirement. It is important to follow the program if you want to maximize your weight loss during the "Weight Loss" phase.

I'm a newbie to this forum, banded 2015 in April, progression seems slower at the start, I think once your band feels comfortable it helps. Any tips would be appreciated.

Very common to stall early on. Just stick with the program - fluids, Protein, Vitamins. It will come off. You just have to trust the process. During the stall, your body is catching up. As @@Inner Surfer Girl says "Embrace the Stall". - http://BariatricPal....brace-the-Stall

Hang in there!

I will, thank you :-) all the best to you too