Anyone Size 48 Bougie?

http://www.ssat.com/video/2008/SSAT%2049th%20Annual%20Meeting(3)-Cirangle.htm

The other issue with larger bougie size -- as it was exmplained to me -- is that the larger the initial size of the new stomach, the more "stretchy" tissue the new stoma*****ludes.  The greater curve portion of the stomach stretches far more than the Lesser curve.  So with the larger bougie size, more of that stretchy tissue remains, so that down the road, there is the greater potential for the sleeve to seriously stretch out, and the loss of a great deal of restriction. 
My doctor uses a 34...he then sews over the staple line, creating even more restriction.  He is a very very VERY firm believer that getting the stomach as small as safely possible gives the best chance of success long term.

I think you really do need to come to terms with the fact that WSL is not a miracle.  With restriction-only procedures you CAN NEVER AGAIN EAT THE WAY YOU DO NOW.  Eating a certain way is what got us into this mess in the first place.  You can either choose to CHANGE THAT, or you can choose to have your intestines removed with the DS.  What you choose to do is up to you, but those are the ONLY two paths to success.  Eat less or incorporate malabsorption into your plan.  Only. Two. Options.

MM

Hi, MM.

Interesting thread. Just wanted to point out that NO part of a DSer's intestines are "removed." We have ALL of our intestines. Like with the VSG, just part of our stomach is removed.

Thanks!

Nicolle

So Dr. A must have changed his bougie size after you because when I went in July it's a standard 32 fr bougie....least that's what I was told.

Denise

HA!  I didnt see that repost from Phil on there.  You got a 32 with Dr. A right?  I was told that was his size to use :o)

Denise

I never really asked but based on my restriction I just assumed he gave me a 32.

I won't talk numbers, but I will mention that some folks here feel that their sleeve ended up being too big for them, that they could accommodate "too much" food for their liking. I never hear people say "darn, my sleeve is too small". Things will stretch out at least a little, you can eat more after 8 weeks out than you can prior to that. Just a thought. You want good enough restriction to "fill up" on less food, and less calories.

Meg

Marshall,

The differences in the capacities that people can eat on here staggers me.  I have a 36 bougie, my doctor says he thinks 32 is too small and that there can be more issues with the 32, he says he thinks about 40 is too large and that 36 is ideal.  Mind you he does not stitch over the staple line as he says that it is really not recommended, and if you stitch the staple line the size of the stomach becomes smaller again. 

Now because of my height, I am 5'10" my stomach is longer and this means with my 36 I can eat more than someone with a 36 that is 5'2".  When I had my surgery, my doctor said my stomach was huge and he had to use 8 cartridges of staples to staple the stomach, 5-6 is normal and I use that word with a touch of caution.  Also, remember the larger the bougie, the more of the stretchy part of the stomach is left, so over time you can eat more and also the more Grehlin producing area you will have, thus the more hunger messages you will receive.

With my, what I would call a 36 long stomach as opposed to a 36 short, I can eat quite a bit in comparison to others, but it does vary from day to day and with the density of the food.  I can eat the following quantaties of things 6-8 ounces of grilled fish, 4-6 ounces of steak, six chicken nuggets from KFC (I know this because that is what I did yesterday),  one of those microwaveable soups in a bowl,  6-8 ounces of cooked scallops or prawns, for breakfast I can eat 1 scrambled egg, half a piece of wholemeal toast and some bacon, I could eat a small ceasar salad, I can eat six water crackers with cheese and if I let myself more slider carbs than you could imagine.  I can go out to dinner, I can enjoy myself at parties and functions, but I can't over do it and that is what is important.  Now I am 7 months out today, so I can eat more than at 3 months and I will probably be able to eat more at 12 months.  I think it is likely that I will end up eating like a normal small adult at the end of this.

I think that the longer time is the important issue.  I would caution making your bougie too large not because of the size it is in the beginning, but what it can become.  What you want to avoid is long term weight gain.  I am more than happy with my 36, knowing my current and potential capacities, if I had gotten a 48 I know I would be big again in the longer term.  I have seen many who are happy with 40's.

For most of us weightloss is what we have struggled with our whole life, the change in our lives because of the sleeve is incredible, the thought of going back to humungus is horrid, but also the fact that mentally I am a food addict it is very possible for me to imagine I could, if I did not have a reasonable restriction.

I guess I would recommend you go for a 40 maximum.

Anne

Thank you very much. This is a lot of great advise.

I hope it helped you make your decision.  All the technical knowledge in the world is great, but the reality is practical application and experience is still the best advice you can get.  Good luck with your decision and if I can ever help you in any way feel free to ask.

Anne