Can you really stretch a sleeve?

[fezik23 240]

I'm trying to imagine the circumstances, as I read posts where people talk about stretching their sleeves. It seems to me that the act of over stuffing oneself would cause the stomach to reject the excess food. Does anyone have factual information on this?

[Chelenka 827]

I can only speak from my own experience. I can definitely eat more now at almost two years post-op. Can I eat as much as I used to? No way! Does this mean that I've stretched my sleeve? I don't know but I guess it's possible since the stomach tissue is very elastic. I am still thrilled with the results of my surgery but at this point it's up to me to maintain my weight loss. I can't eat the same volume that I used to but I can eat too many calories and gain weight.

[blondiebabs 214]

Yes it can, they went over it in my initial seminar. I did a google search and this is the first website that popped up about it, and there are a ton more. Just search "stretched sleeve after vsg" http://obesitycoverage.com/weight-loss-surgeries/gastric-sleeve/gastric-sleeve-will-my-stomach-stretch

Its basically the same way people stretch out their stomachs in the first place. I was reading somewhere, I don't know if it was here or somewhere else, a woman's story that in her surgery the surgeon said that her original stomach was the size of a football. Stretching can happen!

Edited January 9, 2015 by blondiebabs

[Thenewnic 139]

My surgeon says it would be very painful to stretch.

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

I've been told that in about a year's time, my sleeve should hold about 6 ounces, or around 3/4 cup of food. At the most. I think if one is always stuffing it and constantly grazing, it is possible to get to a larger size, but I've been wrong before. It makes sense, though.

[sunflowerchild 146]

My surgeon actually said that a bit of stretching is natural. He said its normal in the 4-7 month range to find you can eat a bit more than in the beginning.

[Rogofulm 2,440]

My understanding is that the remaining portion of the stomach after sleeve surgery is mostly muscle and therefore not very stretchy. As opposed to bypass surgery, where the pouch is made from the stretchy part of the stomach. I figure my sleeve will stretch some, but hopefully not very much. But only time will tell...

[Garifab_VSG 122]

My surgeon told me outright that eventually, it will stretch. But never back to the full size it had been.

[Momma_D 47]

My surgeon and diet doc both said you don't actually stretch it..the swelling goes down and you can eat more...also i was told those who graze all day gain.. 5 small meals and not constantly eating wrong choices