Can your stomach stretch after gastric sleeve?

Question Below Submitted By:  

Clairissa Mulloy (a patient from West Palm Beach, Florida)

Hi There Doctor,

Can your stomach naturally stretch after gastric sleeve as a normal process, or does it only stretch as a result of eating too much food?

I’ve had great results from gastric sleeve and two years later I’m down 100 pounds. However, I want to minimize the risk of stomach stretching.

Thanks,
Clarissa Mulloy

Advertisement
Bariatric Surgery Source
01.

Expert Responses to the Question Above

Surgeon Response To: "Can Your Stomach Stretch After Gastric Sleeve?"

by: Dr. John Rabkin, M.D.

Dear Clarissa,

After a Sleeve Gastrectomy (VG/SG) the natural course over time is for the gastric capacity to gradually increase or "stretch." This gradual enlargement will be seen in everyone who has a VG and is inevitable. However, the degree to which it enlarges as well as the speed at which it does so is highly variable from patient to patient.

Consuming only the quantity of food that satisfies your hunger versus continuing to consume more food beyond that point MAY cause the gastric capacity to increase faster/greater although there hasn't been scientific/medical confirmation of the suspicion that it does so. Nevertheless, the prudent (as well as the more comfortable) approach would be to minimize the quantity of food consumed as well as the caloric content of the consumed food to optimize the weight loss and its durability following the VG.

John M. Rabkin, M.D.
Pacific Laparoscopy

(click here for Dr. Rabkin's full bio & contact info)

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the details provided. The above should never replace the advice of your local physicians as they have the ability to evaluate you in person.

Related Pages:

Click here to add your own response

Find a Weight Loss Surgeon

Share Your Comments


This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

[ Last editorial review/modification of this page : 08/22/2018 ]

* Disclaimers: Content: The information contained in this website is provided for general information purposes and your specific results may vary depending on a variety of circumstances. It is not intended as nor should be relied upon as medical advice. Rather, it is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her existing physician(s). Before you use any of the information provided in the site, you should seek the advice of a qualified medical, dietary, fitness or other appropriate professional. Advertising: Bariatric Surgery Source, LLC has entered into referral and advertising arrangements with certain medical practices, original equipment manufacturers, and financial companies under which we receive compensation (in the form of flat fees per qualifying action) when you click on links to our partners and/or submit information. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Read More

Request a Free Insurance Check

Fill out the below form for a free insurance check performed in partnership with your local bariatric surgeon.

Advertisement

Los Angeles/Orange County

logo
mark