BonnieJuneE

I had my surgery one year ago exactly (11/27/10) and I've lost 164 lbs. I now weigh 161 lbs and have been maintaining with in 2 lbs for about a month now.

HELLOOOOOO Everyone!! I am so sorry that I have once again been MIA for a while. After I made my last update (6 Month Update-Down 115 lbs!!!) I was so busy with the wedding and new job that I didn't log on for close to a month. Then when I finally tried to access my account I was unable to do so. I have been going back and forth with the Admin's for the last 1.5 months trying to gain access to VST. I have TRULY missed all of you guys! (Especially my SO CAL Sleeves Group!!!!) Now that I have access again I will try to be a lot more active on here like I used to be. :-) OK, OK, UPDATE TIME!!! The wedding was absolutely perfect in every way. I will be making a YouTube video on Saturday and I will make sure to put pictures at the end if anyone is interested in checking them out. My Job has become something that is very fulfilling and I enjoy going in to the office every day. I am so busy some days that I forget to breath but I never forget to get all of my Protein in. I am now down 143 #'s at 8.5 months out which is only 7 lbs away from the goal that my Dr. set at 175#'s. I think that I will be "Comfortable" at the Dr's goal of 175 but I want to let my body stabilize where it is happy. As or right now I really don't know where I am going to end up because this is the smallest I've ever been in my adult life so I cannot say what "Normal' is. I am still loosing consistently every week so I think that my body is going to go below 175 no problem. In the last 2.5 months I have seen the most drastic changes in the way that my body looks and fits in to clothes. I see it in my progress pictures; everything is really tightening up. I FEEL small...Even my harshest critics told me that I look like I am 145ish and guessed Size 8 pants. (Which I laugh at because those number are so foreign to me...lol) Realistically I am in Large-Medium Shirts from regular department stores and Size 10-11 Pants Depending on the Brand. (5'9") I have sooooo Much more to talk about that I will address in my video on Saturday so please watch it if you want more of an update. I'm really looking forward to being active again and can't wait to meet some of the newer users that I've missed since being away!! Thank you all again for the nice comments on my 6 month update!

Thank you ladies! This is actually an old post and things are still going well. I am now 11 months out and plan to make a long video on YouTube as well as post here at my one year mark. Just a quick update since this post was made: I'm now Down 160#'s, weighing in at 165. So I'm at what I'm now calling my personal goal. I look forward to sharing more next month.

Hi there! I haven't been super active on the forum lately but I'm trying to change that and your post just happened to catch my eye. I am 5'8.5 and the day of surgery (November 27 2010) I was 325#. Now 10.5 months post op I have lost 155#'s. I am 170...5 lbs under my Dr's original goal of 175. I have made YouTube videos along the way if you would like to watch my journey. Please see the link in my signature. Good luck on your journey and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. :-) ~Bonnie

Hi Everyone And thank you for your kind words. I just uploaded 2 new videos to YouTube (only because it was too long to be 1 video) If you would like to check it out please look in my Signature below and click the link. Thanks!

Hellllooooooo Everyone! I know I have been MIA for a while but I have been extremely busy with all of the new things going on in my life. (New House, New Puppy, Wedding that is now in 7 days, New job) I hope you understand. Yesterday (May 27th) was my 6 month surgiversary but I decided to stick to my routine and not weight in until this morning. Before I got on the scale I though to myself (Like I have MANY times over the last 6 months) "I did everything right this week but I know the weight loss has to slow down at some point, so its OK if I don't pull a big number." I got on the scale and I was down another 4 pounds from last week!!! Bringing my total in 6 months and 1 day to exactly 115 lbs!!! I started this journey at 325# and I am now 210#!! Here are a few things that have really stuck out in my mind about my journey so far... Since surgery I have not gone one week with out losing. I know this will change and some point and I am prepared for it because I though it would have already happened by now. This probably isn't normal but it is possible. I stick to my plan and it pays off. :-) I have been making You Tube videos since 6 weeks post op, as well as taking progress pictures and measurements weekly and those 3 things have helped me get through this journey mentally more then I can even begin to express. You can not see what other see unless you take these pictures along the way and TRULY look at them. It is hard to look back and see where you started but it feels damn good to see where you are at now and how your body is changing. PLEASE TAKE PICTURES AND MEASUREMENTS!!! It will truly blow your mind! With the removal of the Ghrelin it has been like some one flipped a switch in my head and I no longer have a constant nagging hunger. Eating is no longer something that consumes my every though, it is still enjoyable but not all encompassing. I am able to go out with friends and not be ashamed to order the quantity that I really way. I can go to sushi and not leave with an empty wallet or with my head hung in shame over how much I just ate. I can go to a BBQ with friends and not be worried about if they are making enough food or think about if I should eat before I go so I don't end up hungry... I still feel no physical hunger. I know I need to eat and get enough nourishment so I plan my day accordingly and still enjoy what I eat. I love cooking and that has not changed one bit. I cooked healthy before but it was just in HUGE quantity and I am amazed that I DO NOT miss sitting down to plow through a plate of food. Exercise is now something that I actually enjoy doing again. I am not saying that if you have always hated exercise you all of a sudden love it now, but for me I used to enjoy it... Until I got so big that it was uncomfortable to even bend down to put on my gym shoes. I do not enjoy mindless walking/ jogging on a tread mill... I love resistance training and hiking. You have to find something that works for you. I do not go to the gym 5 days a week, nor do I feel that I need to. I try to go 3 times a week at least, some times 4, but lately with all the new stuff going on it has honestly been more like once or twice a week. I know I need to step it back up but the weight loss is just about the same when I exercise and when I don't. I exercise for my over all health and to build/ keep muscle tone. My hair has gotten substantially thinner but I had really thick hair to start with... When I went in to have my "mock up hair do" done for the wedding, the stylist said that it is already growing back in and you wont be able to tell at all in 6 more months... She also said that when it is dry and naturally down you can not tell at all. The loss started pretty heavy 3 months post op and has slowed down over the last few week. So be prepared for hair loss but know that is does get better. There is SOOO much more I could write about but I feel like I am rambling so I'm going to stop... :-) However I would like to say THANK YOU to all of you on the board that have unknowingly answered so many of my questions along the way and I look forward to being able to help others the way you have all helped me. If you are new and have questions feel free to ask away... ~Bonnie

Hi All and Thank you for all of the responses. This was actually my 6 month update that got bumped to the top when some one commented yesterday... :-) I am now 8.5 months post op and will be posting tomorrow with a new update. Sorry I've been MIA for a while I will explain everything when I post tomorrow. Thanks again!! :-)

Thank you every one for your kind words and encouragement. I'm very glad to hear that my videos/ posts have helped some of you. To answer this: I guess you can say that I have followed a "plan" but really it is just making sure my body is getting what it needs. I always drink at least 64 oz of Fluid a day. I make sure I get at least 70 grams of protien a day but it is usually more (closer to 80-90). I stick with lean protien (seafood, chicken, pork loin, leans red meat, ground turkey) 99% of the time. I ALWAYS keep a few things cooked and cut up in little pieces in the fridge so they are easy to grab if I'm headed out or home for a quick lunch. I stick to under 30g of carbs a day if I am not working out. These carbs usually come from fruit or vegetables as well as veggie chips. On the days I go to the gym I eat closer to 50 grams of carb because if I don't eat more carbs before I work out I get dizzy. I have not had a problem with dairy but I find that the carbs always run high in regular milk so I drink Unsweetened Organic Soy milk to cut back on carbs and give me more protien. I also follow the "golden sleeve rules." No eating and drinking together and Protien First!! A normal day may look like this: Breakfast -Unjury Protien drink- (1 cup Chilled decaff coffee, 1 cup unsweetend soy milk, 1scoop unjury protien chocolate splendor, torani sugar free syrup) I sip on this all morning long while at work. Over ice it is amazing and tastes like I real treat. Snack- String cheese or turkey Jerky Lunch- what ever I have prepared ahead of time for that week. IE: cooked chilled Shrimp or a hard boiled eggs or roasted chicken salad (with veggies no mayo), grilled steak strips. Snack- Veggie Chips or fruit Dinner- always a protien and some kind of veggie. I cook other sides like Pasta or rice for my fiancé and may have a tiny bite but not very often. If we go out it is almost ALWAYS for sushi and I just get sashimi, no rolls or rice still. "Dessert"- I still love sugar free popsicles so we keep those around but I will usually have another 1/2 scoop of chocolate protien powder warmed in decaff coffee about 1.5 hours before we go to bed. Or I make protien pudding Popsicles that are really good as well. On days that I work out I will add a half piece of toast with some Smart Balance spread and jam, or some cheese and crackers about an hour before I work out other wise I get really dizzy. All of these are just a few examples of a "typical" day. I have a huge variety of foods that I cycle through often so that I do not get bored as well. Hope this helps!! Thank again everyone!!

It's was great seeing everyone today!! Bummed I missed the group photo op though. Haha. See you all next time!! :-)

You look AMAZINGGGG lady!! Can't wait to see you at the next meeting!!

Just watched your video meggie...Great Job! I look forward to seeing your progress!! Hope my videos help answer any questions you may have. Julie was one of the first people I watched as well and she continues to be an inspiration as I progress on my journey... I can only hope that I inspire someone like she has for us! :-)

Heyy there. I will watch your video later today when I get home. I'm Posting from my phone for now but I believe you will still be able to see my signature below. The link to my YouTube channel should be in there some where. :-) (if it's not search BonnieJuneE and you should be able to find it.) CONGRATS and I can't wait to watch your journey. :-) ~Bonnie

So today I am 3.5 months out and loving my sleeve more each day. I can't believe how easy this process has been and I feel great!! My recovery was seemingly effortless and the weight loss has not slowed down as of yet. (knock on wood) Getting used to the new Way of eating has been pretty simple too. I've never been a junk foot eater and the last time I at fast food I was probably 11..So the transition from HUGE healthy meals many times a day to tiny meals has been easy with the aid of my sleeve. Even going in to surgery i didnt believe that i would be mentally satisfied with such little portions and I can now confidently say that I don't feel deprived in any way. I no longer have a constant nagging hunger like I did before. The head hunger hasn't really been a problem either...but like I said I didn't every crave bad stuff to begin with so maybe I'm just weird. Haha. I am starting to notice a bit More hair loss then pre-op but nothing I wasn't prepared for. I keep my protien over 70g and take my vitamins and biotin daily so I know that I am doing everything I can to minimize the hair loss. I've accepted that I have to let this run it's course for now. We recently purchased a home and have been moving, painting and sorting like crazy for the last 2 weeks so I have been unable to update my YouTube vlog. The Internet is going to be installed on Tuesday so I will be able to update then. (posting from phone for now.) Thank you to everyone here for being so informative..you have all helped me on my journey thus far more then I can even express. If any pre-ops or newbies have questions for me please feel free to ask away. ~Bonnie

Thank you guys for all of your kind words!! This month has been extremely hectic for me and I'm sorry I missed you on the 5th!! I will definitely be there in May.

Sorry for typos...silly smart phone!! Lol

When your engagement ring flys off if you are too enthusiastic in your hang motions. Gotta learn to not "talk with my hands" so much for a little while. Luckily the DF said we could get my ring re made (custom can't be sized) once I hit goal and stabilize. :-) YaY!!

Yayyy you all look soooooo good! Sorry I couldn't make it yesterday. Ill put the May 7th date in my calendar and look forward to seeing all of you ladies there. Congrats on the progress guys!! ~B

I tried sashimi for the first time around 5 weeks out when I was cleared for all solids. When u do finaly go Ask them to cut the fish into small chunks instead of long strips...it is much easier then doing it yourself. Am 3 months post op and still havent tried to eat a roll because I'd rather stay away from the rice anyways. Sushi has always been one of my favorite things and I'm so happy im still able to enjoy it and actually feel satisfied now. Don't really even miss the rice for now. :-)

I brew a cup and stick a cooking thermometer in it. Then I use unsweetened Silk soy milk to bring the temperature down to 130 degrees (the instructions state specifically that it will clump if you use hotter liquid). Then I add the scoop of unjury and let it sit for a moment, stir till all mixed, THEN LET IT SIT AGAIN for 10-15 seconds and then stir again and it gets reallllly smooth. Enjoy! Oh and I also make iced protien drinks Unjury too. Brew 1 cup coffee and let it sit till it gets to room temp. Mix in Unjury till smooth. Add 1 cup unsweetened soy milk and 3-4pumps sugar free Syrup of your choice. (I really like hazelnut or vanilla bean) Pour over ice and enjoy! Hope this helps. I make one of these pretty much every day and love um!!

Did my weekly weigh in yesterday and I MADE IT! Wooohoo. Looking forward to the Easter Challenge. You are all doing amazing as well! Keep up the great work! Starting Wt........Current.......Goal for Challenge.....Lbs to Goal 325........................271....................275..............................-4

Kris, Congratulations on your sleeve!! I'm so happy that watching my video helped. That really was the reason I decided to make them. (and to look back once I get to goal and see how far I've come on this journey.) Hang in there. It really does get better. I will continue to check in on Saturdays. If you have specific questionsyou would like me to answer on the next video just message me on YouTube and I will make sure to do so. CONGRATS Again!! :-)

Hey there Shaundra!! It can all be extremely overwhelming. I just started a YouTube channel documenting what I have been going through. As of tomorrow I will be 7 weeks out and will post another video in the morning. The link to the videos is in my signature below. Hope these help. :-)

I'm 22 and extremely thankful to have had the opportunity to get this done at such a young age. I'm 7 weeks out (tomorrow) and loving my sleeve! :-)

First off....HAPPPPPY NEW YEARRRR to all! As of today I am down 30lbs at 5 weeks out. Right now I am getting in all of my Fluid and hitting my 60-80g of Protein no problem... Recovery has been seemingly uneventful. Not once since surgery have I been physically hungry and the constant head hunger seems to be a thing of the past.. I know it may creep back in the future but for now I am amazed at how the constant nagging of "eat eat eat" is goneeee.(WoooHOOO) I am working on having more solid foods and can definitely feel the restriction more then I could on mushies. ITS WONDERFUL! haha Before surgery I though "There is no way I am going to be (mentally) satisfied with a 1/4-1/2 cup of food" but I have been completely physically and mentally satisfied with the small amount of food I am having... I am still measuring everything so I haven't gotten to an uncomfortably full point yet, however I can see how it could very easily happen with one or two more bites. The great part is...I dont even want those one or two bites more!! Pre-op I still had the fear of "What if I am the only one this doesn't work for...?!" but now I can not believe how great it feels to know that I CAN do this. This year is going to be a year of change in sooo many ways and to be able to start it off in the 200's feels better then I can put in words. Thank you all for Unknowingly helping my through this process and I look forward to seeing all of your successes this year as well.