I've read probably close to everything on these boards about sleeve stretching and I've read as much as I could find out in the inter webs. There are a lot of different opinions and people have a lot of different experiences. So ....

today at my 2 month office visit with my surgeon, I asked him about my sleeve stretching. I wanted a definitive answer to this question that has been driving me nuts. He said that you can "challenge" your sleeve by eating more than you should. You can even challenge your sleeve every day. This means eating way too much (not that it necessarily hurts to do it). Then I asked him if you could permanently stretch your sleeve. He did say that over time as you heal and begin eating more normally, your sleeve will relax, which is good because you do want to be able to eat somewhat normally. I would also guess that if it never did relax you might be in danger of losing too much.

So based on this conversation, my understanding is that the sleeve will eventually relax many months out but it does not stretch and will not stretch permanently. You can, however, challenge it all you want. But that would be cray cray after going through all that vsg entails.

The next time you meet with your surgeon, please ask him or her the same question and post here to share what you found out directly from your surgeon (not your primary care doctor or nut).

My surgeon told me kind of the same thing, but just used different words. I think he said that a few months after surgery that it becomes more "accommodating". He compared it to an old shoe that is not quite as stiff as it was when it was brand new and will eventually be easier to get your "foot" (food) into it.

My surgeon said pretty much the same thing. The stretchy part of the stomach is removed. The stomach may feel bigger upon healing as the swelling slowly goes down, but it won't truly stretch.

I have read some really far out posts in the forums about stomachs stretching back out to their original size or larger, having to redo the surgery, so on and so on. Then I've seen posters flock to tell their story of the same thing happening to someone they knew. So much hearsay can really ramp up the rumors. There may be a unique case or two when something unusual happened to a sleeved stomach, but it is certainly not the norm. Then there are so many new members here that ask questions about their sleeve stretching out that it strikes fear in the minds of readers.

I like facts nice and tidy whenever I can get them that way.

it's like shoving a rat into a sock meant for a toddler

Rat ... sock ... you have a way with imagery. :-)

One must wonder...why would anyone attempt to shove a rat in a sock anyhoo? Where does this type of thought come from LOL