hi, i hav 3 questions anout dr garcia:

what size bougie is used

does dr garcia use staples or sutures

what kind of pain meds does he use

Size 32 bougie and both staples and sutures. Don't know what the pain meds were but they were effective. They will give you stronger pain meds if you ask and think you need them. My daughter asked for something stronger to help her sleep on night 2 in hospital, but the next day she felt really sleepy all day and didn't like that at all. She had minimal pain to begin with. They give you additional pain meds when you leave in pill form along with antibiotics and a liquid antiacid. All the labels were in Spanish. She didn't need the pain meds and never took them. Good luck and you'll love Dr. Garcia and the staff. You are in good hands.

Is this a normal size or small? I don't know about the sizes.

that is the small end of accepted ones, there was a summit (conference with gastric surgeons from all over the world) in which they stablished that the recommended size to use is 32-36, most surgeons there used 34 or 36, some used 32 and some used bigger ones. there are pros and cons with each one, the smaller they are the more likely there is to be nausea and vomiting with food, and the greater chance of it causing strictures (blockages), but they also believe the least likely it is for someone to stretch it too big (this might be why Dr. Garcia prefers to use that size, I don't know since I have never talked to him). Many doctors are going towards using the 36 because of the decrease of side effects, complications. In any case 32 is in the small end of normal size, but it is still an accepted size. I don't know about Dr. Garcia, but Dr. Kelly and Dr. Aceves both use staples and sutures, you should probably call Dr. Garcia and ask him if you are considering him to be your surgeon. Dr. Kelly is going to be my surgeon in May and I talked to him yesterday at length and asked him many questions. (I also did a lot of research on my own is how I know the recommended sizes and about the Summit. Good luck!

My doctor in Sacramento used a size 40 on me. I understand the difference in a 32 to a 40 is very little. It also has to do with how close they follow the guide of the bougie. Some follow closer than others. In the end I don't think it really makes all that much difference. Here's a video from Dr. Alverez about it.

Thanks. I understand the bougie thing a lot better now.

Wow! Really informative video! Thanks