32 is the smallest bougie that is safe. Some surgeons use a 34, and
ive seen a few that use higher, but the latest research shows that
you lose more weight with a 32 or 34 than you do at higher sizes.

I had a 32, and thats all my surgeon uses. Surgery was on 12/20, and
ive lost 76 pounds so far :-)

Amanda

--- In AstronomicallyStunningVSGer@yahoogroups.com, LisaRN
<ladiesassie2@...> wrote:
>
>
> I dont think I can tell u the exact size of my tummy, altho there
is a simple test to figure that out, I just havent done it. I know
that my surgeon uses a 32F bougie, which is abut the standard used
now I think..I havent seen one use lower, but have seen those that
used higher.
> I am Diabetic as well.. before surgery, I took 2 shots a day plus
took 6 pills a day. Now, I only take 4 pills and thats it. I was sooo
thrilled to get rid of my insulin and syringes...I actually still
have some, just in case.. But Im sure I wont ever need them again.
> Its great that u have already made some excellent changes, that
will help u alot!
> I was self pay as well, so I know about the $$ issues. I went to
Mexico for my surgery, so it wasnt as costly as here in the US, but
it was still alot.
> Heres my OH profile
> http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/lisaweisenbach/
> take care...and remember, we are all here to answer questions and
to help
> big hugs
> Lisa
>
> Cindy Fullerton <auntonion2001@...> wrote:
> Thanks a lot for your info..and honesty.
>
> Do you know how big of a sleeve the surg left? I have read that
some Drs leave them too large.
>
> I have been a diabetic for about 8 months now..so I have already
kicked the sugar habit, so I think that will be a benefit..and I have
not had a carbonated beverage in that time either (I never liked
diet drinks). So My sugar cravings are gone.
>
> I have read so much! I have a close friend that had the RNY. she
had a very high BMI. She has done pretty good. I also have another
friend (old college buddy) that had the Lap Band, and her BMI was in
the 90's! I didn't even think that could be done, but shes done great!
>
> Practically everyone in my Dr's office has had one of the
surgeries, the PA that we saw for the exam has had the sleeve. I am
very confident this is the surg for me...I just want to do it right.
Esp since I will be self pay....I dont want to waste the $$$!!
>
> Whats your ID on OH? I'd like to look at your profile.
>
> Thanks
>
> LisaRN <ladiesassie2@...> wrote:
> I was sposed to go on a 2 wk preop, liquid diet....well i did, to
a certain extent..but I cheated everyday... I did manage to lose 11
lbs during that time which i was really proud of....however, it didnt
help me in the least once I got to surgery. My liver was still really
large and difficult to move out of the way so that the surgeons could
get to my stomach...in the process, my liver was nicked and i bled
alot...it was repaired well and i didnt suffer any further problems
with it. I had to have 2 transfusions, but really, thats nothing new
for me.. Ive always had to get transfusions after surgery,
mostly...im really anemic.
>
> My struggles....well, many say that they arent hungry after the
sleeve...or that they have to make themselves eat, forget to
eat...all bc they dont feel hungry, dont have an appetite...none of
this has been true for me.....so Im still battling the hunger...and i
do eat alot more than everyone else ive talked to..
>
> but what is weird is that everyday is different....one day it
feels like I could eat the house, the next day, i cant eat hardly
anything and im stuffed... Ive found that its ok to eat
something "naughty" once in awhile...bc i dont eat much of it, get
full fast, so theres not much going in... I probly get about 1200
cal/day now...sometimes a tad more probly, sometimes alot less on
those days I cant seem to eat much...
>
> I think to prepare urself.....read everything that u can about
the Sleeve. Talk to people who have had it, ask lots of questions...
If you are apart of ObesityHelp, read the profiles of those of us who
have had it.. Find a local support group and go to a few
meetings...see if there might be anyone whos had the Sleeve. Talk to
ur doctor or nurse..ask to be placed into contact with other
Sleevesters if they can... they cant give out personal info, but they
might be able to pass ur name/number onto someone else....talk to
people in the waiting room at the doc office. Also, really learn
about the post op diet.. what it entails, what u will be eating and
drinking. Get stocked up on the kinds of foods and drinks that u can
have, particularly high protein items, including protein
supplements/shakes..try them out, find out what u like. However,
after surgery, ur tastes will change regarding some foods/drinks...I
swore that wouldnt happen to me..but it did. I was a confirmed
> chocoholic before surgery... i could sit down with a 6 pack of
Hershey bars and eat them all within a nites time! Now, I dont
really like the taste of chocolate so much...its the weirdest thing
ever! I like chocolate milk or the chocolate protein drinks that i
put in milk...but i cant eat a choc bar anymore.. I took a bite of
one just yesterday and snarled my nose up to it.. So Strange!!!
>
> hmmm...i cant think of anything else...right now lol
> but if u have more questions...im always here!
>
> hugs
> Lisa
>
> Cindy Fullerton <auntonion2001@...> wrote:
> I am having the sleeve.
> What have been your struggles? What can I do to prepare?
> Did you go on a pre-op diet?
> I guess thats all the questioning for now...
> Thanks!
>
> LisaRN <ladiesassie2@...> wrote:
> Hi Cindy.. welcome to the group..
>
> I started with a BMI of 73...so I know where ur starting
at...which surgery are u going for?
>
> Lisa
>
> auntonion2001 <auntonion2001@...> wrote:
> My name is Cindy. I have a BMI of 71.7. I will be starting a
preop
> diet soon...so it should be down before my actual surgery.
> I am very excited as I embark on this journey!
> Lauren...your story is very inspiring! I would like to know
more...do
> you have a blog somewhere?
>
>
>
>
>
>
> LisaRN
> My groups:
> Nurses Online
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Cindy
>
>
>
>
>
> LisaRN
> My groups:
> Nurses Online
>
>
>
>
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> Cindy
>
>
>
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> LisaRN
> My groups:
> Nurses Online
>