Bougie size???

Are there any VSGers out there that have a size 40 bougie and doing good and maintaining and keeping weight off???

I am a 34 which I think is average. I asked my doctor about 32 which I read San Francisco doctor are doing, My doctor said its a little to small and more patients do better at 34. I have never heard of a 40. Are you a 40?

Hey - I had Dr. A as a surgeon.  He uses the 40 - but he stiches over the staple line and does a nice tight sleeve.  So far I have lost 100+ lbs in just under 6 months. 

I love Dr. A!

 Did you just get something In the OR for anxiety before surgery? I noticed you said you had Dr. Aetbach too!

 I didn't get anything for anxiety - wasn't crazy nervous, really more worried about my mom and daughter and the stress it was all putting on them.  

I have to tell you St. Agnes' is now a beautiful facility.  You will be in the new wing and have a private room with a futon in case someone wanted to spend the night.  The staff are awesome - very helpful.  Dr. Averbach is an excellent surgeon.  He really cares about his patients and he and Dr Singh are the two top bariatric surgeons in MD.  You are in very good hands!

Friend me if you like!

Thank you so much for the info..I am feeling a little better knowing that!  Just ready to get it over!!

I have a size 40 and am doing quite well. At 7 1/2 months my sleeve is very tight.

I have a thought on this issue: A tight sleeve is important, but bougie size is only one factor in how tight and well made a sleeve is. Some surgeons make the sleeve tight to the bougie and begin very close to the top and bottom of the stomach, producing a true sleeve shape. Others either staple more loosely or start further from the top and bottom, leaving stretchy tissue that will expand capacity dramatically.

My tight 40 is likely bigger than some tight 32s, though I have yet to bump into someone who at 7 1/2 months eats less than I can. But my tight 40 is MUCH, MUCH tighter than some 32's I see on the board.

My conclusion: Bougie sizes may be important, but surgeon technique is at least AS important, in my mind more so (within a reasonable range of 32f to 42f).

When you're speaking about the size of a bougie, it's measured in a French Catheter Scale.
1 French = .33mm

So a 34 Bougie is 11.3 mm diameter
A 40 Bougie is 13.2 mm diameter

Just thought ya might like to know!

Heidi

 Thanks for replying everyone! Yes my doctor uses a 40 so hopefully I will still be just as successful, I trust him!