Hello! I am pretty analytical by nature and have researching WLS for a few years and have decided on the VSG. My surgeon is Dr. Lauter in Bellevue WA. I am nearing the end of my insurance requirements and have been reading the most recent medical papers with meta studies and it seems like larger sleeves have fewer post surgery complications by a big margin. My question is: my surgeon uses a 34 fr and creates the new stomach loose against the tube. I have asked him to make mine a little larger than his normal to lower my risk for complications. He said he would take it under advisement but would not use a different bougie (which I totally understand, and I know he can enlarge the sleeve without changing the bougie size).
Has anyone else made a request like this? If so,How did you get a "commitment" from the doctor beyond just taking it under advisement?
Also, I would love to hear from others who have had surgery with Dr Lauter.
I do know that long term I may not lose as much weight as someone with a tighter sleeve, but I am ok with that. I have read several people on here who have bigger sleeves (ie 40 fr) and are doing really well.
I'm Male, 37, 278, 5'-10"
Thanks!