I went to consult. and asked all the questions from my research (& Tiff's recommended ones too). I have one concern she said she uses a 40 bougie - I'm concerned about this size as I am a BMI 41 and of course want the most results if I'm going to put myself thru surgery. Im just confused, should I seek another dr. with a bougie that I'm comfortable with (seems like alot of ppl here have 36)? Dr said the difference btwn 36/40 is 1 mil, but why is the weight loss so much difference btwn the two?? Dr doesnt use different sizes (probably b/c she usually does the DS).

WHAT BOUGIE SIZE DID YOUR DR USE? AND HOW MUCH WT. LOSS?

My doctor used a 36, and I know there are others that have smaller, 34 I believe. I know the difference is very small when you compare. Good luck on your decision.

Mine used 32/34 . . . (no wonder i cant fit anything in there) so far i've lost 53 lbs in 7 weeks

I just asked my dr. that yesterday when I went for my 10 day check and I too am curious about that. He said 40 also. I have heard there is not a lot of difference between 36 & 40, but honestly it doesn't mean all that much to me, I have just heard the sizes talked about.

There is another post with pictures of pens representing bougie sizes.

A sharpie pen is about a 36/40 size.

Click this Link

I have no idea what size mine will be. Bougie has never been mentioned.

Surgery is Tuesday!!!!

My doctor told me last week mine is 38. Seems to be a good size for me, I can eat, but not too much!

It would be intersting to compare sleevers,

bougie sizes,

amount of weight loss,

when they stopped losing weight,

do they wish they had a smaller size?????

I would think the bigger the size of bougie, the less weight you would lose or you would stop losing sooner...IDK!!

If you wish, please let me know! thank you

From what I was told, a 36 ensures that you can swallow pills and gives enough room for a scope should they need to look. Also, the boughie is only the size of the tube they put down to guide the suture line. If they don't go up close on the tube, you aren't going to have that size. Make sense?

Yep makes sense, and I was thinking the same thing. A 32 bougie was used for me. I think the difference in size of a 32 vs 36 is not much. Maybe a few beans... lol.. I don't have any trouble drinking a thick 8 oz shake in less than 20 minutes.

My surgeon uses a 32, but he did say that he doesn't snug the stapler up as tightly to it as he used to... he still goes right up to it, but doesn't want to get it so tight that it increases the risk of stricture. I'm not even a month out yet so my results aren't really very relevant, but I can drink normally, and eat couple ounces of mushies (refried beans, ricotta cheese), and a 1/4 cup of canned chicken mixed with a little cheese soup (rather than mayo), very slowly.

Edited February 19, 201016 yr by Stacy160

Here's a link to a review of a bunch of studies on VSG.

There is a table with bougie sizes, though some of them don't list one.

Click here for link

I think most of it depends on the individual, and how much weight they have to loose. Most of the ones that seem to have issues with VSG start with a very high BMI of 60 or more. I think the lower your starting BMI, the "easier" it is.

The sleeve makes it easier to be successful, and prevents you from eating a ton of food very quickly. I've also seen that there are people that can eat around any type of WLS currently out there. If you are going to sit there and slowly eat a 5 pound bag of M&M's every day, you are going to fail. You have to stick to the dietary guidelines to be really successful.

I just ate 8oz of LaMadeleines Tomato Basil soup,, I am full but don't feel sick at all, I feel like going for a walk though. Bougie 32 at 19days out.

I have a 32fr, and honestly there is minimal difference between 32, 34, 36, and 40. If the surgeon was using a 52 or 60fr, then I'd be looking for different surgeon. My sleeve is also shorter than some patients. #1 because of my height #2 because the band destroyed the top tissue of my stomach, my surgeon had to remove more of the stomach tissue than he normally would.

I'm 8.5 months out, have dropped 128lbs, and can only consume 4ounces of dense Protein with maybe a couple of bites of veggies or salad. I can eat about 1cup/8ounces of mushies over 30-40 minutes. I'm still losing sporadically, but trying my best to maintain my current loss.

I got a 40 on Wednesday. My doc uses it and says that there are a lot of other factors like Butressing and oversewing. He said that he wants me to be able to get in enough fluids and nutrition and thinks this will be best for me. I figure that it's all better than what I used to have. Now I have a tool and what I do with it is up to me. There's minimal difference between and 32 and a 40 so now it's up to me.

Mine's 32 and I've lost 25.8 lbs in 6 weeks. I can eat 1/4 of regular food at a meal.