BOUGIE
I've done a tiny bit of research about bougie size - apparently the 'typical sizes' used are either 30 or 64 (mm? I'm not sure what measurement that is). The weight loss is greater with 30 - the diameter of it translates to roughly 10.19mm across - which is just about the width of my thumb.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Bougies are the plastic tubes they stick down your throat and into your stomach during surgery to guide the surgeon in making the sleeve. Bougie size is only part of the equation because it depends on how close to the bougie the surgeon staples. It also depends on whether or not the surgeon oversews after the staples.
That being said, the smallest bougie is a 30 (or thereabouts). Most VSGs are not any larger than a 40 (or thereabouts).
Smaller bougies can result in smaller stomachs, but may also lead to more complications, depending on the skill of the surgeon. Heartburn, leaks, strictures, etc. Larger bougies could allow for more fundus to be left, so the stretchy part of the stomach. Potential for future stretching increases if fundus is leftover.
Lastly, some stomachs are longer than others (could be related to your height and/or your torso length). The longer it is, the more it will hold, even with the same bougie size between patients.
It's a tricky thing and is only part of how the final size of your stomach will end up. Hope this helps.
That being said, the smallest bougie is a 30 (or thereabouts). Most VSGs are not any larger than a 40 (or thereabouts).
Smaller bougies can result in smaller stomachs, but may also lead to more complications, depending on the skill of the surgeon. Heartburn, leaks, strictures, etc. Larger bougies could allow for more fundus to be left, so the stretchy part of the stomach. Potential for future stretching increases if fundus is leftover.
Lastly, some stomachs are longer than others (could be related to your height and/or your torso length). The longer it is, the more it will hold, even with the same bougie size between patients.
It's a tricky thing and is only part of how the final size of your stomach will end up. Hope this helps.
5'5" Goal reached, but fighting regain. Back to Basics.
Start Weight 246 Goal Weight 160 Current Weight 183
Starting size: 22, 2x
Current size: 12, L
There are a lot of different opinions about bougie sizes. The smallest are generally 32f. The largest you see nowadays are about 48f (they used to do 64f but I haven't seen anyone on the boards who has had one that big since I've been here, maybe a vet here or there but not that I know of).
The problem is that variations in sleeve size can be attributable to a lot of factors. A 32f will yield a tighter sleeve than a 40f IF the surgical technique is the same. However surgical technique can be an even bigger factor in final sleeve capacity than bougie size.
Let's say I have a 40f sleeve, tightly stapled to the bougie and consistent in size from top to bottom (which I do) and Joe Othersleever has a 32f but the surgeon stapled loosely (which we see) or started several centimeters from the esophagus and pyloric valve at the top and bottom (which we also see). Joe will have more stretchy tissue than me and his 32f stomach will have a larger capacity than my 40f stomach.
I know some on here will tell you anything bigger than a 32f is too big. My response: I just made goal weight and have been trying to up my calories to 800-900 a day and I'm having a tough time with my well-made 40f - I can only eat 2 oz of dense protein or 3 1/2 oz of something like yogurt or my protein pudding. It depends on the surgeon.
I don't recommend asking your surgeon to do a smaller sleeve than he's used to. If you don't like the size of the sleeves he makes, consider seeking another surgeon - tight sleeves without complications aren't easy to do.
The problem is that variations in sleeve size can be attributable to a lot of factors. A 32f will yield a tighter sleeve than a 40f IF the surgical technique is the same. However surgical technique can be an even bigger factor in final sleeve capacity than bougie size.
Let's say I have a 40f sleeve, tightly stapled to the bougie and consistent in size from top to bottom (which I do) and Joe Othersleever has a 32f but the surgeon stapled loosely (which we see) or started several centimeters from the esophagus and pyloric valve at the top and bottom (which we also see). Joe will have more stretchy tissue than me and his 32f stomach will have a larger capacity than my 40f stomach.
I know some on here will tell you anything bigger than a 32f is too big. My response: I just made goal weight and have been trying to up my calories to 800-900 a day and I'm having a tough time with my well-made 40f - I can only eat 2 oz of dense protein or 3 1/2 oz of something like yogurt or my protein pudding. It depends on the surgeon.
I don't recommend asking your surgeon to do a smaller sleeve than he's used to. If you don't like the size of the sleeves he makes, consider seeking another surgeon - tight sleeves without complications aren't easy to do.
Highest weight: 335 lbs, BMI 50.9
Pre-op weight: 319 lbs, BMI 48.5
Current range: 140-144, BMI 21.3 - 22
175+ lbs lost, maintaining since February 2012
Research points to better long term weight loss with a 32". That is LONG TERM which means that patients were able to keep off the weight loss permanently. There are several studies on this subject but Dr. Cirangle has a 10 year history of performing this surgery and I believe that he has said that his first 100 patients had a larger bougie size and the weight loss was not sustained as well.
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us"
Lisa
Lisa
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