Hi Everyone,

Are there any statistics about the risk factors for gastric sleeve complications? Any long term sleevers here notice any trends? Like say, does a super high BMI have more complications, or are there more complications over 50, or do people with diabetes have more (or less) complications. I'm just wondering if anyone has noticed any trends? One thing I've noticed in the short time I've been here (about 1 month) is that the guys seem to have less complications-- both serious and minor.

I read a post here that said that the larger size bougie patients usually have less complications...Do I have a choice or say in the bougie size?

Thanks!

Dana

My dr uses a 40 bougie to reduce complications post op. he only "oversews" if the stomach tissue doesnt look that healthy or in diabetics. Oversewing causes more "holes" which can also cause more leaks.

A 32 vs 40 bougie is only about a 5 lb weight loss difference...if that. My dr also says that most docs that use a 32 bougie will staple further away from the bougie where a surgeon using a 40 will staple closer. It's all based on your doc though

What is a bougie?

The biggest trend I've picked up on is that the people who take pre-surgery weight loss and working out seriously before the required pre-op diet (3-4 months before surgery) have an easier recovery.

If you can't walk a mile without huffing and puffing before surgery, you're definitely gonna feel worse after surgery, especially when you're trying to get into some kind of shape while also recovering from surgery. Separating those phases is important; having some base level fitness before any surgery is important for efficient healing and avoiding complications like blood clots and pneumonia.

The second thing I've noticed is that if you convince yourself you're gonna feel like **** after surgery, you will feel like **** after surgery. If you prepare your body and mind for surgery, you are more likely to be confident in a positive outcome and recovery, both short and long-term.

A note on bougie size: 32-36 French is the broad consensus. You can click here for more info: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/47390-international-sleeve-gastrectomy-expert-panel-consensus-statement-best-practice-guidelines-based-on-experience-of-12000-cases

Good luck.

It's possible that on the forums there are less complications for men because there are just a smaller number of male posters. We have a decent number, but I am pretty sure we have a far larger female population (at least from what I've seen). I know when I was looking up side effects I googled free medical journals and looked through what I could find as far as complications/side effects and found quite a few articles on it, so you might have some luck there too. I'm not sure about actual complication rates. My doctor told me leak is about 1% I know he told me some of the other rates, but I can't remember off the top of my head.