ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum - View Single Post - 46 Bougie Size

MiladyB · 05-27-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Time4me

I emailed my support group leader with my question. She is actually a RN and has been in to observe several WLS.

this is what she had to say about the sleeve which I had done. She watched my doctor do it so this would be what I had done.

"I'm not sure what size it was that he used. I only know that he had the Anestiagolist advance a tube down into the stomach and he used that as a guide. He stapled up tightly against the tube. With the sleeve and duodenal switch he did the same thing but didn't staple it as tight. He said he makes their sleeves larger because with all the malabsorption a DS has they need to be able to eat a larger amount of food.

If the tube was an NG it would more than likely have been a 16Fr. which is about as big as your little finger."

My sleeve is so little they have talked about dialating it. No thanks! I'd rather eat to little than to much!

Vicki, since I didn't know what size I went to Todd with the question. He states that Dr Foote uses a 34Fr bougie. So ya, his sleeves are really TIGHT! When I saw him do the sleeve for the switch he used the same size but didn't pull it as tight. He explained that he wants switch patients to be able to eat more. They have such significant malabsorption so they need more calories than even the RNY patients. If your sleeve is too tight you will struggle with getting in those calories and could end up malnourished.