Can stomach stretch after gastric sleeve? If so, what does it take to stretch?

Yes, the stomach can stretch after a gastric sleeve, but it usually doesn’t return to its original size. The stomach is designed to expand and contract, and while the sleeve removes about 80% of the stomach, the remaining portion is still elastic.
Stretching occurs gradually over time, mainly due to consistently overeating. Regularly eating beyond fullness, especially high-calorie, soft, or liquid foods like ice cream, can lead to increased stomach capacity. Carbonated drinks may also contribute by putting pressure on the stomach walls. Eating large portions too often can reduce restriction, making it easier to consume more food.
To avoid stretching, it’s important to stick to portion control, eat protein first, chew food thoroughly, and avoid grazing throughout the day. Staying mindful of hunger and fullness cues will help maintain the long-term effectiveness of the sleeve. If stretching does occur, some patients find that a reset diet or revision surgery, like a re-sleeve or conversion to gastric bypass, can help.

Yes, this is possible if you go back to bad eating habits. For example carbonated drinks can stretch the stomach.

You should expect some stretching in the first 6 months to a year after surgery as the staple line relaxes a bit.  But after that, you should experience significant stretching of your pouch.  If your pouch has stretched out too much for you to be able to stay on track with your weight loss or maintenance, and you are still eating per the guidelines given to you by your surgeon (focus on protein rich foods, stay away from carbs) then you may be a candidate for a sleeve rescue surgery (fixing and reducing the size of your sleeve).  If you need help, do not be embarrassed to ask for it, there are options for you!

Hey, Thank you so much for your question. Yes, the stomach can stretches but it is very difficult after the surgery its done. In case that happens the best way to manage it, is by visiting a nutritionist to guide you in a diet. You can also perform a gastric sleeve if is necessary and your doctor consider it as an option.Hope my answer helped you

Right after the surgery, your stomach is very narrow and swollen. Most patients can barely drink liquids for a while. As the swelling resolves and healing takes place, the stomach heals to the size originally created by your surgeon. As time goes by, continued eating, especially to the point of fullness, can contribute to enlargement of the sleeve. In most cases this is moderate, and weight loss does not suffer. There are some circumstances where enlargement of the sleeve is significant enough to cause weight loss failure or weight regain. I have commonly seen this in women who have become pregnant after their surgery. The hormones of pregnancy cause things to stretch out, including the stomach. Many sleeve patients find it difficult to get back to their pre-pregnancy weight after they deliver.

When I see patients with weight regain after sleeve, I will evaluate them with upper GI x-rays and endoscopy, to see if the stomach is large enough to warrant re-sleeve. In some cases this is possible; in other cases the sleeve appears narrow enough that re-sleeve isn't feasible or warranted.