Ok so I am meeting with the surgeon tomorrow and read on this site about Bougie sizes. Do we have to decide with the surgeon what size we want? Any suggestions as to what size is better, Ive read about this, not exactly clear on it though. Anybody else?

I think a surgeon may likely more determine accounting for your height and stature plus true size of pre op stomach which they'd use, not about wether you'll want more or less size with you, but they may simply discuss it and some might.

OMG the bougie size thing again! don't let it worry you, there seems to be this new thing about "my bougie is smaller than your bougie" the difference is so small!! Make sure you go to a surgeon that you feel good with not the size of bougie!!

I think most experienced surgeons will evaluate the entire patient before deciding on a size. It is also very dependent on your anatomy once they get in there too. I guess some surgeons feel that one size fits all, but I know many don't.

did I do something again wrong ?

* certain type of grin *

did I do something again wrong ?

* certain type of grin *

Not this time

I would just ask my surgeon what size he uses. I don't think it matters a whole lot. I would think that there is more of a difference between the smallest(32F) and the largest I think(40F).

Ok so I am meeting with the surgeon tomorrow and read on this site about Bougie sizes. Do we have to decide with the surgeon what size we want? Any suggestions as to what size is better, Ive read about this, not exactly clear on it though. Anybody else?

Mine is a 32. Dr. Davidson apparently makes the decision when he gets in there, but it would either be 32 or 34. His nurse had this surgery by another physician approx. 8 years ago, it has since been perfected, but hers is a 36, she said she thinks the smaller ones are better, in her opinion. She lost weight but not as successful as she is seeing with the patients with the 32's.

BTW. There is a doctor here in Dallas (Dr. Jay I think) he does a 30, but some folks think there are a few problems with that size, which is the smallest that I know of.

This might sound crazy, but what the heck is a bougie?

Mine is a 46- I have GREAT restriction!

I want to know what a bougie is too lol

Surgeons use a tube [bougie] to guide them when stapling the stomach. The tube can vary from as small as 32 French Bougie to as large as 64 French Bougie

Its just a guide that the surgeon uses to butt the stapler up against, when forming your VSG. The closer s/he gets to the guide the 'tighter' /truer to guide the sleeve is. During surgery the bougie is inserted into your mouth down your throat, towards the end of yer stomach where it meets the pylorus via an esophagheal dilator. After the new stomach is formed, the bougie/guide is removed out of your mouth, possibly why some VSGrs complain of a sore throat post op.

My Doctor uses a 40F and I have very good restriction and at almost 8 months out am only 15 lbs away from goal and a normal BMI. I think bougie size has less to do wtih success than what you actually put in your mouth.

Great explanation....

Thank you for the answer. I didn't know that I didn't know. On my count down now. 23 days til v day. 2/27. Yay!