I have only lost 6 pounds in the 4 weeks since my surgery. Is this normal? I gain I lose. I mess with the same few pounds day after day. I expected more rapid weight loss given the minimal amount of calories I am eating.

Everyone loss is different, and some people hold more water weight than others. Has your doctor been concerned?

Fatgirl its so much more than just calories in calories out. If it was that easy we wouldn't have so many people failing at dieting all the time.

the calories will matter after everything else is right but not much before.

so the basic's

no added sugar

keep carbs low (carbs are just sugar in fancy wrapping paper)

keep up the protien and dont fear the fat - fat makes you feel full and easier to get to next meal

NO Snacking - all food raises your blood sugar and all blood sugar raises your insulin and elevated insulin blocks fat burning.

track your food - lots of free app out there to track your macro's and calories

use a food scale - do not trust packaging. they are allowed to be off by up to 20%.

walk walk walk and then walk some more.

Then lift something. nothing fires up your body like some weight training.

We are not talking body builder just push those muscles and let them fire up your metabolism.

Keep positive.

very good things can come from this surgery but they dont come at the same pace for everyone

You need to plan to play the long game and know that 18-24 months from now is your goal not just today.

good luck