French Bougie (Size)

I was wondering what the sizes mean with the FB. Do you get more restriction with a larger one? My Dr used a 40FB and removed 85% of my stomach.


Cheers,
Marie

The smaller the number the more restriction. With that said, the more restriction, the chance for more complications. Not that it always happens but it can with any size, but more often with smaller ones. My doctor also uses a 40. Its basically the size of the tube they put down to your belly and they mesaure what they are going to leave you with that. Hope this helps.

my doctor used a 38 fb. I have not had any problems now. I did at 2 weeks out I had the flu so I was sick. But that had nothing to do with the surgery. I need to ask my doctor how much he removed and how much I am able to drink.

I have just been quessing when I feel full I stop.

This is what I found online:
 
 What size bougie do most surgeons use to size the stomach?
That decision depends on the patient’s age, health, and BMI.  Normally, most surgeons prefer to use a 32 or 34 French bougie if the Sleeve Gastrectomy is designed to be the only bariatric surgery.  If the Sleeve Gastrectomy is the first stage of a two-part Duodenal Switch or Roux-en-Y, most surgeons use a larger bougie, typically a 40-50 French or larger.

A bougie is simply a thin tube that is sized in a measurement known as French.  One French is 1/3 mm.  So, a 34 French bougie will have a diameter of 11.3 mm or roughly 0.44 inches.  The actual volume of your stomach will depend on the length of your stomach. 

 My surgeon used a 40 also.  That freaks some people out because some people will tell you that is too large to be successful.  My surgeon over-sews when she does it so you actually end up more like a 36.  I truly believe the majority of my long-term success is up to me, not my stomach size.  You can stretch out this stomach or graze all day, gaining a lot of weight back.  At my three month mark, I had lost 60 pounds, so I am extremely pleased with that.  I am learning to make better food choices and the long term success of my surgery ultimately lies with me.

~Heather

 I don't think the difference is THAT big..a few weeks back someone posted the sizes and differences illustrating with pens...I'll look and see if I can find it....

 Here is the picture of pens comparison....I copied it from a post on 8/31/10.....should have written name of poster...but forgot and don't want to search again...but who ever did this...THANK YOU!

Actual Bougie pics posted on my profile if anyone is interested.
THe most common sizes for the VSG are 32,34,36FR.
As I mentioned in another post, the main factor is surgical technique over bougie size.
Hope it helps you get a visual for how FREAKING small our tummies really are!

~jL

My surgeon used a #32 on me. I didn't even ask why, just figured he knew best and let the man be the judge. I think I was afraid of getting one too big and then not having a successful weight loss. I LOVE the pen comparison! Way kewl to whoever did that! Thanks for sharing! HUGS!

I'm a 40.  I was done within the first six months that my Kaiser started doing Sleeves.  I understand that they have now moved to using a 34.