Is my bougie size too big?

[HEARTONMYSLEEVE 1]

I have been reading a lot about bougie size. I called my doctor's nurse this morning to confirm what size they use as it was suggested by several members in other posts. I was told they use a 36. I have to say I was a bit disappointed. I was hoping for a 32 or 34. I know the difference between the sizes is very small but I guess I just want my new stomach to be as small as it can be. I was wondering what others further post-op thought. Do you think a 36 versus a 32 will make a difference in the long run? I guess I still fear stretching my stomach out down the road. I am scared to pay 16 grand only to stretch it back out. Your comments and thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.

[LAN2k 18]

My doctor went with a 40 (originally he told me he was going to use a 38 bougie) I'm now 5 months out. I've lost approx. 70lbs. I can't eat much during one sitting. After the surgery I thought maybe he used a smaller bougie than the 38 he'd told me he would use. When he told me he went with 40, I was relieved. I don't know if in the long run it will have any significance. I do know that our sleeved stomachs are not able to stretch too much since what's left is the stronger muscular portion of the stomach. Best wishes to you on your WL journey.

[Garyb_58 1]

Heartonmysleeve,

I too have a 36 and was hoping for a smaller one. I am only four weeks

out but I am pleased with the results so far. I cannot eat any more than

what I hear other people on this forum with 32's. At the same time I

do not attempt to competely fill my sleeve. I eat until I feel full and stop,

which is normally 2 to 3 ounces. I believe as long as we use this as a tool

and not as a fail safe we will be fine. My Doctor did not use the 32 to

reduce the possibly of problems. Since he has done more than 700 of

these surgerys I have to trust his judgement. Also looking at the comparison

of the sizes from 32 to 40, there is not much difference.

Again I feel we will be fine as long as we eat properly and not do the things

that causes us to get over weight in the first place.

Good Luck with you sleeve.

Gary

Edited February 23, 2010 by Garyb_58

[Tiffykins 673]

It really won't make a huge difference for your overall results. I have a 32, and I can eat more than some people with a 34-36. There's a lot of factors that go into sleeve capacity. I just had an endoscopy performed, and during my follow up appointment yesterday my surgeon advised me that my sleeve is not too narrow, and isn't stretched. I may just chew my food differently than others, or take longer to eat my 4ounces of steak.

On stretching out your sleeve, it's really minimal stretching that occurs because the tissue that is left is the muscular part of the stomach.

[MINI-Me 196]

I have a 36 and my restriction is great 2 ounces of meat and a little room for a bite or two of vegetables. My surgeon thought the 36 was the best to avoid contriction issues.

Another item people don't realize is that the boughie is just a guide. If the surgeon uses a 32, but doesn't staple up close, it may not as small as surgeons using a 34/36, but stapling up close. It's all about technique and surgeon preferences.

I wouldn't stress too much about the boughie size. If you trust your surgeon and he has good results with his patients, you should do GREAT!

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

The difference between a 32 and a 36 really isn't that much. If you eat right and don't pig out on sugar and junk food, you will lose weight just like you have a 32.

[Lee 19]

I'm a week out from surgery with a 40f. I'm doing great and didn't have any nausea after the first few hours. I expect to do as well as anyone with a 32. The Sleeve is my tool. What I do with it is up to me.

[LAN2k 18]

I'm a week out from surgery with a 40f. I'm doing great and didn't have any nausea after the first few hours. I expect to do as well as anyone with a 32. The Sleeve is my tool. What I do with it is up to me.

I'm right there with you Lee same size 40f. My surgeon told me he was using a 38f but after the surgery he said he went with 40f (maybe he left a little more space between the 38 bougie and the actual staple line. I've lost approx. 70lbs in 5.5 months...give or take 3lbs...I've got to get my excercise in, I've plenty of restriction but I want to lose another 30lbs and I'll be at goal finally for the first time since I was a young teenager. It's still hard to believe it can happen.

[Lee 19]

Lan, I'm so excited with your progress. I know you've had a rough time of it, but with goal in your sights, you must be so excited!

[thinoneday 445]

I'm right there with you Lee same size 40f. My surgeon told me he was using a 38f but after the surgery he said he went with 40f (maybe he left a little more space between the 38 bougie and the actual staple line. I've lost approx. 70lbs in 5.5 months...give or take 3lbs...I've got to get my excercise in, I've plenty of restriction but I want to lose another 30lbs and I'll be at goal finally for the first time since I was a young teenager. It's still hard to believe it can happen.

Wow Lan, you'll be at goal before you know it. . . only 30 more lbs! I can't wait til day, but i know it's coming! Keep working hard and it'll be here for time can tell you it's time. . . hehehe. . . :thumbup1:

[LAN2k 18]

Thanks Lee----It was easy to drop weight at first because I was so turned off by mostly every food and beverage...since the antidepressant medication has helped me to not be repulsed by nearly every food I set my eyes on, I've got to be vigilant about what I eat and how fast I shovel it in! My appetite is back full force, but my sleeve restricts me and I'm finally appreciating having it...if I eat too fast or a bite too much ...ouch, it hurts and then I have to wait it out.

Thinoneday, now is the time, your spot on! And so I know this last 30 will probably be the most challenging, since I discovered that I like food again. I'm glad we have each other to bounce things off of...thanks.

[LyndaRN 0]

I find out today that my doctor uses a 36. But he says he goes close so it is maybe a 34. He says any smaller and there is a lot of nausea. I am getting so excited!

[ishary 0]

It really won't make a huge difference for your overall results. I have a 32, and I can eat more than some people with a 34-36. There's a lot of factors that go into sleeve capacity. I just had an endoscopy performed, and during my follow up appointment yesterday my surgeon advised me that my sleeve is not too narrow, and isn't stretched. I may just chew my food differently than others, or take longer to eat my 4ounces of steak.

On stretching out your sleeve, it's really minimal stretching that occurs because the tissue that is left is the muscular part of the stomach.

Tiffy do you have that visual with comparison to the pens you had posted?

I would like to take a look at it again and cant seem to find it.

[Tiffykins 673]

Tiffy do you have that visual with comparison to the pens you had posted?

I would like to take a look at it again and cant seem to find it.

If you haven't seen this, I found this on OH, and think it'll give you an idea of honestly how minimal difference in a 32 and 40 really is.

Just a visual to offer more pictures of how minimal the difference is between the sizes your concerned about.

Here is a fabulous link for bougies. It physically lists every size of bougies, with the millimeter measurements.

Scroll to pages 3 and 5 to see the table of reference for bougie sizes.

http://www.medovations.com/pdf/Esoph...Dilatation.pdf

[ishary 0]

Thank you Tiffy.

I actually did find out today from the hospital coordinator that I had a size 32 and she said that basically that meant that I had a 4oz stomach and that Dr. Almanza took out 85% of my stomach.

It seems hard to believe that my stomach is the size of the 2nd pen on that page.

It looked larger when I had the flouroscope ???