Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Chime in if you know yours...

I'm 3 months and a week out. I can eat 4 oz of a sirloin steak - I feel full but its not a "stuffed" feeling - like I could hold more if i ate it, but I cut myself off. My surgeon used a 40fr. bougie (pulled my records for other reasons and saw that). What size was yours? How is your restriction? At first I felt restriction much more so than now, but the swelling went away pretty quick... Im eating 900-1100 calories a day....

curious about everyone else and their experience.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

No bougie my doctor used the scope I have a smallish sleeve. I can put down about 4 oz of steak if I work at it. Normally I only allow about 15 to 20 minutes per meal time and so I only get about 3 in..

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

36fr bougie. Almost nine weeks post op, surgery was 2/04/2013. I cannot eat 4 oz of sirloin steak in one sitting but I could probably eat 2 oz at a time of dense Protein.< /p>

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Bougie size totally depends on age, gender, health issues, etc. My surgeon did not give me a choice on bougie size the first time in late 2008 (he said he used the "standard size" 36 he uses on most of his otherwise healthy patients) and I always thought it was too big because ALL weight loss was VERY slow and difficult, so I went back to him this last December and had him re-sleeve me for a 32 bougie, which is pretty much the norm for a small bougie...some people like larger bougies for more comfortable eating, but I don't really care about food (it interrupts my day), so this was not an issue to me. I think being a still young man, you will do just fine with the size bougie you have.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon used a 34 bougie on me and I have great restriction. I eat about 1200 calories a day. I can eat about 3 ozs of a dense Protein. I am at goal right now. I love my sleeve.... :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

36fr. Plenty of restriction 3 weeks out. Eating and drinking is still an all day event.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Mine was a 32 and I'm 3 weeks out. I can't get much down at all.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Also to those who are preop and concerned about bougie size. There is very little difference on size and the smaller the bougie the higher risk for leaks.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

38 here! My surgeon does the 38 standard. Through his experience this size provides the greatest weight loss with least complications.

I thought it was big when I heard other people's sizes, but when you see pictures between the sizes it is such a small difference.

I have great restriction. I am 10 weeks post op and feel very happy with my size.

Honestly even if I had like a size 60 I still think I would be eating far less than I did before and i probably still would lose weight...maybe just not as quickly.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

32 and the doctor did an oversew of the staple line... Remember also the length of your stomach affects how much you can eat. My stomach is a bit longer than average so I will be able to consume more than many... I am exactly one month out and I've never had much inflammation and was drinking relatively normally even in the hospital. Currently I can eat 1/4 cup of diced chicken and 1/4 cup of beans.. That's a half cup of very heavy food.. I could eat more if I wanted.. but this leaves me satisfied without being "full" At a year out I should be eating 6-8 ounces or a cup to a cup and a half of "fluffier" food.. Less restriction than some, but a far cry from the enormous portions I used to eat.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

can someone explain exactly what a Bougie is? I think I understand the size thing, but not sure how it correlates. I have asked the four coordinators of Drs I have been researching and not one will respond with an answer.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

A Bougie is the tube the surgeon places in the stomache (through the esophagus). They then stretch the stomach around it and it guides the staple line. If you google the sleeve surgery, you can watch it being done and see how the bougie is used.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

can someone explain exactly what a Bougie is? I think I understand the size thing' date=' but not sure how it correlates. I have asked the four coordinators of Drs I have been researching and not one will respond with an answer.[/quote']

It's a guess you call it a guide that the surgeon puts down your throat to help size your stomach to a certain size 36fr or 40fr. Fr stands for French do a google search and you will see examples of Bougies.

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank You!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×