Can the Stomach Grow Back After Having Gastric Sleeve Surgery? 

There is a lot of information available about the benefits and challenges of gastric sleeve surgery for weight loss. Some benefits include weight loss, improved overall health, and lifestyle changes for the better. One challenge that you may have heard about is the possibility of the stomach growing back after surgery. Some may wonder: can the stomach grow back after surgery? 

If so, how does that happen and what are the chances that it will? If you have concerns or questions about gastric sleeve surgery, this article will provide some information that you need. 

What Is Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Weight loss is a challenging ongoing journey, and some may consider weight loss surgery as an option. There are a few different types of weight loss surgeries including the duodenal switch, the gastric band, gastric bypass, and the gastric sleeve.  Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as laparoscopic vertical gastrectomy, is a procedure in which a large portion of the stomach is surgically separated and removed from the body. 

After removing a portion of the stomach, the surgeon stitches the remaining stomach together to make a new stomach. The patient cannot consume as much food and the smaller stomach produces less stomach hormone that makes people feel hungry. Some concerns with having weight loss surgery are the risk of the stomach growing back or gaining weight back.  

What Are Some Factors Influencing Post-Surgery Outcomes?

One of the fundamental factors that significantly impact post-surgery outcomes is your commitment to lifestyle changes. While gastric sleeve surgery can reduce the size of your stomach, making it physically harder to overeat, it doesn't guarantee sustained weight loss on its own. 

Your diet plays a pivotal role in the post-surgery period. After a gastric sleeve, your stomach can only hold a smaller amount of food, so the quality of the food you consume becomes even more important. Nutrient-dense, balanced meals are crucial for providing your body with the essential vitamins and minerals it needs while preventing nutritional deficiencies. You'll need to work with a dietitian to develop a meal plan that suits your specific needs, ensuring you get the right nutrients in the right quantities.

Exercise is another integral aspect of post-surgery success. Regular physical activity not only aids in weight loss but also helps in maintaining muscle mass and overall health. Developing an exercise routine that is sustainable and enjoyable for you is key. You don't need to become a fitness enthusiast overnight, but incorporating regular activity into your life will yield long-term benefits.

Support and counseling are often underestimated but play a significant role in your post-surgery journey. Emotional and psychological support is vital for addressing any underlying issues related to food and eating habits. Many individuals struggle with emotional eating, and professional help can assist in overcoming these challenges. Surrounding yourself with a support system, including friends, family, and support groups, can be immensely beneficial as they understand the unique challenges you might face.

Lastly, genetics can also play a role in post-surgery outcomes. While your genetics don't determine your fate, they can influence your metabolic rate and how your body responds to changes in diet and exercise. Recognizing that everyone's body is unique is key to setting realistic goals and expectations.

Can the Stomach Grow Back After Having Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Weight gain can come from the act of overeating. If someone overeats, the stomach can expand to consume the excess food. Patients undergoing gastric sleeve surgery should take this into consideration. Anytime you eat food, your stomach will do its job and expand. However, if you eat past the level of fullness consistently, you risk stretching your stomach past the size that it was right after surgery. 

Stretching the stomach can also confuse the brain about when it’s time to eat or when it’s full. For example, if your stomach is stretched past its normal size, your brain believes that you need more food to be full. Or after eating to fullness and digesting a portion of the food, your brain could believe that the body needs more food because the stomach is not full anymore. 

Stretching of the stomach happens when you eat large meals over and over again. If you overeat during occasional holidays or festivities, this may not be a problem. But if this occurs more often, stomach stretching is more likely to happen. For example, eating a large breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day for a few weeks can cause your stomach to stretch. The actual stretching of the stomach is not what makes you gain weight; It’s the risk of altering the fullness gauge that causes you to overeat past your body’s level of full. 

How to Prevent Stretching?

Some tips to prevent you from stretching your stomach after gastric sleeve surgery include:

• Paying attention to the amount of food you are consuming. Some focus too heavily on the type of food they eat, like sweets and sugar, but eating large healthy meals very often is riskier than consuming a small treat every once in a while. 
• Try not to eat and drink at the same time. Drink an hour or so before consuming food to help reduce stomach stretching.
• If you feel hungry often, eat small meals throughout the day to control your hunger and prevent binge eating which can lead to stomach stretching. 

For more information 

To learn more about gastric sleeve surgery and how it works, call Bass Bariatric Surgery Center today at 925-281-3711. You can request a consultation from a doctor specializing in weight loss.