Just Found Out My Surgeon Used A 50 Bougie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Fantastic visual, Mike!! Puts everything into perspective better than dry figures.
I didn't have a big problem with gas (that didn't have anywhere to go, anyway), have been able to get my water down easily since the second week when I overcame my fear of drinking normally, and don't feel a lot of restriction, even though I am eating solids.  That said, I eat when i am hungry and measure out my portion of food so I don't rely on a full signal. I don't get full signals. The hungry/empty feeling goes away and I am losing weight. Slowly but surely. I don't feel a need to snack all the time like I used to and no matter what size my bougie is, I will be able to lose weight.
The way you were treated sucks royally but I don't think you will have trouble dropping weight even with a larger sized bougie.
Just my humble opinion...

Thanks for the motivational help.  I usually stay within my calorie limit and I'm doing ok right now (other than an overnight 4lb 'gain' - thinks it's time for flo) but I've overeaten a few times and was shocked at how much I could eat.  I'm just going to have to try harder...story of my life. 

Sorry to be a downer, but this was NOT good news.  I really wish I didn't know.

Mike...I forgot to mention...fantastic visual.  Is there a study or some info that went along with it?

I also did not know what size bougie I had for approximately one month after surgery. I found out that I had a size 44 and was very upset. My surgeon explained to me that he no longer does the smaller sizes because of the percentage of complications and leaks that had occurred when he used the smaller ones.

He did reassure me when he explained that the difference between for example a size 34 and a size 44 food/liquid wise is approx a half ounce. He says that there is no huge difference but alot less risk of complications with the larger size.

So basically you have a 50 and I have a 44 so you can probably eat about a half ounce more than I can when it comes to food. Not that big of a difference when you think about it.

It sounds like you are doing great. Don't get discouraged!!

Thank you!!  Your post reassured me a little.  So...it seems that right now I can eat about an ounce more than a '34'.  K...that doesn't seem so bad.  Maybe that's why I've been fast tracked to eat anything I want and do exercise, even weights and yoga...?

I had surgery with Dr. Jawad also on 9/29 and he does use a 44 but he also oversews.  I am very happy with my results.  I was 231 and change at my pre-op and today I am at 201.4.  I also have my period and think that is stopping me from hitting Onederland.  I can eat very little though.  Drinking is fine but once I eat I feel a lot of restriction.  At my first post-op which was 9 days out, I had lost all of the IV weight and another 14lbs.  He was very happy with that!  I can't wait to go to my next appointment!  This was one of the best things I ever did for myself!  How much can you eat?

Hi...you're doing so well, especially for a 'lightweight'....good for you!!!

I have no idea if my surgeon oversews.  I don't want to know though.  I would have been better off never knowing what my bougie size was, lol.  Just kidding...now that I've been educated by the awesome OH peeps, I feel much better!

Honestly, how much I can eat depends on the day.  2 days ago I could only finish half an egg beaters omelette with some goat cheese and chicken - 200 cals in total.  Another day I had one and a half cups of thick, homemade chili before I felt any restriction.

I've been going about this the wrong way.  Just making sure I don't go over my calorie allotment isn't good enough.  Today I start measuring and no more than 3oz at a time.

 The reason I started measuring is because I was out one day and my husband wanted Burger King. It was time for me to eat so I got a burger and and fork and tossed the bread. I got home and plugged it into my tracker and found out the patty was 4 ounces. I had the cheese, tomato slices, lettuce and pickles, too. And I was five weeks out. I eat at the same rate I used to before surgery but I was never a fast eater. Point is, I felt no restriction, no overfull symptoms, nothing. My report says my surgeon used a 36 but I feel like he used a turkey baster!

LOL @ turkey baster.

I'm sorry to hear that, it must be tough.  You're doing extremely well though!

Wow!!! Thanks for the info!!

I am having my surgery next Tuesday and I had no idea about bougie. Now that u mentioned I will ask him before surgery.

I still can’t believe u had the courage to schedule your surgery on email. WOW!   

I am sure u will do just fine, don’t worry too much.