Does bougie size really matter? My surgeon says he uses a 36, but many people on here seem to have a 32. Does it matter? Please advise.

_{It does matter to an extent, but the difference between a 36 and a 32 is less than 2mm. Regain stats show for stand alone sleeves, anything over a 40Fr bougies has a higher incidence of regain after the first 3 years. The main part of the equation is choosing a skilled, experienced surgeon who has tons of sleeves under his belt, and has a proven technique. A surgeon can use a 36, but not fully dissect the fundus or cut too far from the pylorus or esophagus and this will determine final sleeve capacity. Of course, we all have unique anatomy so that plays a role as well. Bougie size is just a tiny part of the equation.}

@tiffy...you guys on this website are teaching me soooo many awesome things. I wrote this down as a question to ask next time I see him. Thanks a billion for posting this response!!!

Does bougie size really matter? My surgeon says he uses a 36, but many people on here seem to have a 32. Does it matter? Please advise.

hi beuti - had to be one of the first to say ,"does size matter" teehee

In all honesty the difference between most sizes of bougies doesn't count.

One more thing, tif, could you make your font a litter larger too - font size does seem to be applicable

best

kathy

I've also heard that 32 (generally the smallest they go) can have some problems with blockage (what is that called when the curved part collapses?) I'm not saying ALL 32's will do that- I've just heard it can have more issues. And they can use a certain size bougie, but depending on how tight or loose they oversew, it can vary a little. (did that make ANY sense at all? )

I've also heard that 32 (generally the smallest they go) can have some problems with blockage (what is that called when the curved part collapses?) I'm not saying ALL 32's will do that- I've just heard it can have more issues. And they can use a certain size bougie' date=' but depending on how tight or loose they oversew, it can vary a little. (did that make ANY sense at all? <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />)[/quote']

Do you know what size Dr Kim uses? You are the only dr Kim patient I've seen on here.

fellow sleevers & friends

i have a feeling i might have offended some people on the board (post #4) sorry - can't get away with it - but doe the size of my apology, is it accepted here i hope?? sorry again - your shy friend

kathy

fellow sleevers & friends

i have a feeling i might have offended some people on the board (post #4) sorry - can't get away with it - but doe the size of my apology, is it accepted here i hope?? sorry again - your shy friend

kathy

That was funny, no worries. lol

Kaiser Fremont uses a 40, which really worried me because it is larger than most. But at 9.5 months I am very happy with my restriction. I am full with 3 oz. of firm Protein and 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of soft vegetables with a little starch. For example, last night I had 1/2 cup of stir fry veggies with 3 oz. of chicken breast, cooked with a little stir fry sauce. I was stuffed! So surgeon technique does matter. My surgeon told me he oversews after stapling.

Alex provided a link to a study done by a group of bariatric surgeons, and they felt 32-36 was the ideal size to use. It's in the Gastric Sleeve Surgery News forum.

Lynda

You haven't offended me...I was laughing when I read that...we make all kinda jokes around my house...keeps us young!

I believe my doc used a 36 and he oversews to strengthen the staple line. My restriction is great.

Thanks for this thread. I just found out what bougie was about 12 hours ago. lol I emailed my surgeon and he uses a 36 and also sews over teh staples. I am really looking forward to May 11!

Do you know what size Dr Kim uses? You are the only dr Kim patient I've seen on here.

Dr. Kim uses an endoscope to visualize the inside of the stomach during the surgery, and he also uses it to size the stomach and it is comparable to a 34. Pretty small.

The best information and studies I have seen on sleeve size and the short and long term results. Some studies indicate a 36f, 40f minimize GERD and that the weight loss long term is as successful as 32f. Also, the technique of over sewing the sleeve reduces size. http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/carmelita/blog/2011/03/31/-2/

More studies on large sleeves (THIS IS ONLY an ABSTRACT. Also, rarely do you see the larger size ever used or discussed nowadays—as discussed in the article above);

http://www.soard.org/article/S1550-7289%2808%2900358-4/abstract

Do any of you know if having a hernia affects the size bougie used in surgery?

I asked my surgeon this question and he said he doesn't use a bougie but a tube of some sort to measure the exact size of a 38fr bougie. He said anything smaller could cause problems with strictures and leaks. I've not had surgery yet but I was hoping he would measure at least to a 38fr when I asked him because I had already read about complications with smaller bougie sizes.