Bougie size 38f ? oppinions please

Im getting sleeved on april 4th and the surgeon is using a 38f bougie, im a big guy 390lbs. Is the bougie the right size for me? Thanks

Don't know...Some guys will respond.  Have you tried the VSG board?
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Im currently 6ft 7in tall and 360 and my Dr and I have talked about this. His standard size is a 36 now but I told him that Im a big guy and want to remain a big guy. So we've agreed on a 40 bougie size for me.

Advantages - people who have the 40 say there is much less chance of reflux and hardly ever vomiting.

Disadvantages - less weight loss.

I got sleeved on 3/7 with a 38 French....6' 300 ish....the numbers can be a lil bit confusing..but the difference between a 36 and 40 would be like a sharpie and regular pen.

What concerns you? Are you worried about not being able to get in enough calories because the differnce is probably about about another small bite.

I asked this question to my surgeon becaus I was concerned about not being able to get enough calories/fat in, the simple solution to that is, if you need to gain weight you can drink your fat/calories.

G

Bougie size doesn't always mean much. Its just a stick they jam down your throat to help move you stomach. Some surgeons will stick "x" size bougie down your throat and then staple tightly against it, leaving your with "x" size stomach capacity, but other surgeons will use a smaller bougie and only use it as a tool, basicly freehanding the staple line based on your individual stomach anatomy. Mr Dr does the later, he uses a size 16 french bougie, but he doesn't wrap the stomach tight around it and then staple. I have a sllightly higher stomach capacity then a lot of the people on the vsg forum, but I can still only eat a small fraction of what I could use to eat. Some people brag about only being able to eat 2 chicken nuggets or a couple spoonfuls of dinner, and I wonder what the hell kinda Dr would do that to a person?  I can eat a whole chicken sandwich, an entire small wendys chili, or even a burger or something. Some people seem to think that is just awful, but, you know, it beats the hell out of the days I would go to McDonalds and get 2 whole meals, or 3 double cheesburgers and a large fry. As long as you are eating a lot less and exercising a lot more you are going to lkose the weight. I started out at 411 on my surgery date 12-29-10 and am down 77lbs to 334 today. My ultimate goal is to get to about 200lbs, but honestly, I'll be happy to make it to 250. I'm not worried about being big, I just got tired of being f-ing huge. I just want to go to the store and buy pants when I need them like every other normal ass overweight american instead of having to order from some fat guy website because thats the only place to get 58's. When I can do that then anything beyond that is just bonus!

Well I know people on here and IRL W/ VSG who had sizes ranging from 28-48.  There does not seem to be a huge difference in success when looking at a small sample group.  I think a 38 is what many docs use and their patients have great results! 
   However! My doc uses a 32f for HIS own specific reasons! A bit of background first...He is the MOST experienced VSG surgeon in the US....He was one of the "pioneers" in VSG  He is involved in several studies regarding WLS (VSG in particular)  He publishes many articles,  papers,  etc. regarding WLS and VSG   He switched to a 32f a few years ago......ya know why?  When he was using a larger size bougie (I think a 46 or 48)  He found after 4 years....there was significant regain....due to "stretching" of the sleeve! He will publish his results of the refined procedure using the 32f soon! ( a 5 year study )  If he sees better results W/ a smaller size.....I'll take one of those!  i also know many of his patient on here and IRL.....most of them are doing quite well.  Many got to goal quick and are still maintaining....or have lost a significant amount of weight (myself for example)
Coincidence?....only time will tell I suppose.  
   Let me finish with this.  There is VERY little difference in size between a 32 and a 38! (see Mikeys post!)  If  you were getting a 48 or 50....I might be concerned....but there are several people here W/ a size 40 that are doing great! I don't think you should be worried about it.  Remember....it is not the size .....it is what you do with it!  Anyone can "eat around" ANY WLS (even the DS!)       

My Dr. used a 38f bougie. He does on all his patients. He does over sew tightly. I can eat a Wendy's small chili as well. I feel that my restriction is appropriate. As you can see from my signature I have done quite well with the size of the bougie. There's not much of a difference between a 32 to a 38. I'll attach a comparison picture so you can see.

The size of bougie alone does not determine the amount of food you can eat. As another poster said it's used to guide the surgeon in creating the sleeve. Some surgeons pull it really tight and over sew some don't. Another important factor is how long the stomach is as everyone is different.

Here's a couple of tips. If you follow you will definitely be on the right track: 

Many of the successful sleevers will tell you that you shouldn't eat to the capacity of your stomach. In other words don't eat until you get the full signal. What you should strive for is to eat until you are satiated. 

Some will measure their food to make sure they are consistent. I don't measure but I don't eat to capacity either. I stop when I'm satisfied and will leave food on my plate.

During the first year you are in what's known as the honeymoon period. That's when the surgery does most of the work for you. You will find that you will loose the weight with ease. It's important during this period that you develop good habits. Eating balanced meals, getting in your water, protein and vitamins as well as exercising. If you can get your self to develop these good habits it will help you during your life long maintenance phase.

***Edit - The Veterans on the sleeve board maintain a Frequently asked questions list. Bougie size is in the FAQ. Here's the link: http://vsgfaq.wordpress.com/