im wondering if the size of the stomach ever increases with time like it does with the bypass surgery. i know with the bypass surgery, in time, the pouch grows and i have seen many of bypass patients gain weight, not to the size they were before but they gain a nice amount back but can lose it quicker. does this happen with the sleeve?

also can you specify with your surgeon how big or small you want it? there are nutritional concerns. i dont want my stomach to be so small that i can only eat an ounce of food for the rest of my life.

I believe part of the issue with bypass is that they make an artifical opening at the bottom of the pouch and this is what stretches, allowing you to eat more because food passes more quickly to small intestine.

I believe the bougie size is much less important than the surgeon's technique. My surgeon used a 40 bougie and I am happy with my restriction. I can eat a small, normal meal. Probably the same amount a naturally thin person would eat. I am nearly two years out.

I could easily regain weight now by grazing or choosing high-calorie foods, such as potato chips, sweet Desserts, fatty sauces, etc

Lynda

I don't think anyone will only be able to eat an "ounce" of food for the rest of their life. You will be able to eat more but never as much as pre-sleeve. They say you can eat as much as 6-8 ounces in time.

I believe part of the issue with bypass is that they make an artifical opening at the bottom of the pouch and this is what stretches, allowing you to eat more because food passes more quickly to small intestine.

I believe the bougie size is much less important than the surgeon's technique. My surgeon used a 40 bougie and I am happy with my restriction. I can eat a small, normal meal. Probably the same amount a naturally thin person would eat. I am nearly two years out.

I could easily regain weight now by grazing or choosing high-calorie foods, such as potato chips, sweet desserts, fatty sauces, etc

Lynda

im sorry i dont know the lingo yet, what's a bougie?

I don't think anyone will only be able to eat an "ounce" of food for the rest of their life. You will be able to eat more but never as much as pre-sleeve. They say you can eat as much as 6-8 ounces in time.

6-8 onces is normal. if you figure 4 ounce of protein and another 2-4 ounces of veggies, that quite a bit especially because the protein is really dense.

will you ever get back to being able to eat and drink at the same time? im having a hard time grasping that concept because i need to take sips while i eat. i dont like to eat without drinking.

A bougie is an instrument the doctor uses to measure and cut your stomach. It's kinda like a cookie cutter for the stomach.

oh ok thanks.

im sorry i dont know the lingo yet, what's a bougie?

Sorry! Most surgeons use a tool called a bougie to size the stomach. It's basically tube shaped. They pass it down to your stomach then cut and staple around it. Average size is anywhere from 32 to 40.

Lynda