What size bougies did everyone doctor use!?

I'm going to opine on this.

WLS will not "fix" you. Your (I'm using "your" as a generalization, not specific to any one individual) hang ups with food are still there. You're not cured, you're being treated.

Focusing on bougie size, of which there is very little size difference, rather than your weight loss journey in its entirety can be an indicator that you're expecting the surgery to do all the work. That the most minuscule sized bougie will make all the difference in your success. That ghrelin reduction wil cure your hunger...

The fact of the matter is, we as individuals make all the difference in our success. Period.

The surgery helps us, a LOT but it is not a the cure. It's a powerful treatment.

Don't focus on bougie size or the ghrelin hormone being reduced. Focus on how you can use your Sleeve to the best of your advantage and have optimal results.

The tiniest of tummies will not guarantee you success. We can still set ourselves up for failure by not working hard and making our own success.

Its also really insulting you assume I think this is a quick fix. No where did I mention that the surgery should do all the work or "cure" me. and you did quote me in your response.

You sound like how many people were about the band years and years ago, so protective and know-it-alls...I did not fail the band. For years I listened to people go on and on about how if the band doesn't work, "its YOU not the band". Now lapbanders and providers are coming around to realize the lapband wasn't what they once thought it was.

Dr Alvarez uses a loose 32 mostly unless he feels you need a larger or smaller one, based on the size of your original stomach. The difference is miniscule, but I wanted to know what size he used for me and others might, too. I also find the lecturing insulting and demeaning. It's one of the reasons I've not come here very often. So many are focused on looking for people to beat down and not on their own journey.

I'm sorry if you ladies thought I was lecturing....

I was just giving information not only to you but others that will read this thread...

I truly hope you find what your looking for and I wish you both luck in your journeys.

Laura

OP asked about what size people had... not if it mattered or not. Clearly some people want to learn more about bougies. Shutting people down from learning about this procedure is no way to show support.

You're awfully defensive and you're being a bit hypocritical.

You are chastising myself and Laura for stating that bougie size has very little, if any, impact on long term weight loss (which I would think would be both informative and encouraging). There are case studies proving this.

You did not chastise NtvTxn for opining that bougie size does impact weight loss success.

But if it makes you feel better, my surgeon didn't use a bougie, he used a thimble. If I recall correctly from another thread Laura-ven's used a garden hose. And yes, I'm being facetious.

Here is the case study regarding bougie size.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/18656834/

Until I read this thread, I didn't even know what a bougie is. I honestly don't think I would have considered this as a factor in choosing the type of surgery I had or the surgeon I went with. Ultimately, I believe it doesn't really matter. What matters most are the choices I make with food and how much activity I get. Whether I had a bougie, or what size it is, isn't going to be the ultimate factor in my success or failure.

In talking to other patients, I'm continually fascinated by the different ways Doctors do things. My surgeon does things that others do not, and I've heard other patients talk about things I never experienced with my surgeon. In the end, I think those little differences in treatment are not important. What is important is how you use the tools you've been given. If you fail, its not because your Dr used the wrong size bougie, its because you didn't change your eating habits.

You're awfully defensive and you're being a bit hypocritical.

You are chastising myself and Laura for stating that bougie size has very little' date=' if any, impact on long term weight loss (which I would think would be both informative and encouraging). There are case studies proving this.

You did not chastise NtvTxn for opining that bougie size does impact weight loss success.

But if it makes you feel better, my surgeon didn't use a bougie, he used a thimble. If I recall correctly from another thread Laura-ven's used a garden hose. And yes, I'm being facetious.[/quote']

NtvTxn said her bougie size.

Defensive? Yes, you said I thought this was a "cure" and work wasn't required. You'd be defensive as well. Assumptions.

No need to drag this out on a forum thats been derailed. Have a great day.

NtvTxn said her bougie size.

Defensive? Yes' date=' you said I thought this was a "cure" and work wasn't required. You'd be defensive as well. Assumptions.

No need to drag this out on a forum thats been derailed. Have a great day.[/quote']

No I did not say that. I very clearly and deliberately stated that I was NOT referring to any one individual. Period. You even quoted my post.

Ok I'm going to highjack the thread now!!

OMG today is my daughters birthday (17) and she wants to join the army and is trying to get me to sign off in her doing it! Now that's a dilemma! That and I ordered the best cake for her and I have to stare at it

So in this episode of "How the Bougie Turns" We have learned:

• What a bougie is:
  
• That the come in different sizes:
  
• That it matters to some people, but to others not so much:
  

Our takeaways today are:

• We are all here to learn as much as we can and that knowledge should know no bounds:
  
• All opinions should be respected regardless if they go counter:
  
• Threads often get side tracked on VST:
  
• In the end we are all glad that what ever bougie was used, it was used to the betterment of ourselves and our well being.
  

Now, back to our regular scheduled programming

Ok I'm going to highjack the thread now!!

OMG today is my daughters birthday (17) and she wants to join the army and is trying to get me to sign off in her doing it! Now that's a dilemma! That and I ordered the best cake for her and I have to stare at it

Hell Laura, sign off on it, but tell here only if she joins the Marines. It give her a big case of the grow ups pretty quick.

My surgeon used a 36 bougie when I was sleeved in October. I don't think the size matters, or at least when it comes to bougie size . I can only eat about 3-3 1/2 oz of food dense protein at a time. Restriction is great! There is barely any difference in size from the 28-38. In the end it's about working your tool. Good Luck

Ok I'm going to highjack the thread now!!

OMG today is my daughters birthday (17) and she wants to join the army and is trying to get me to sign off in her doing it! Now that's a dilemma! That and I ordered the best cake for her and I have to stare at it

Omg that would be a hard decision to make. My husband is in the Army and loves it. I personally would join the Air Force if I had to choose because it's more family friendly and less deployments. I wish her luck

Ok I'm going to highjack the thread now!!

OMG today is my daughters birthday (17) and she wants to join the army and is trying to get me to sign off in her doing it! Now that's a dilemma! That and I ordered the best cake for her and I have to stare at it <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Since we're talking military, would it be more apropos to say you're commandeering the thread?

So back to the bougie - my doc used a 34 and I cried - literally. But he told me to not freak out and that I'd be ok - now I see that the diff isn't that big!!! Thanks ladies. I find these treads informative and funny. Keep it coming :-)