I am scheduled to be sleeved in 2 weeks. I just read on another forum that the sleeve doubles in size after 1 year? Does anyone know if this is an accurate statement? Although I assume the overall volume would still pale in comparison to my stomach volume right now, doubling in size sounds a little scary in respect to regain. I've not heard this before.

I am drinking a Starbucks venti skinny latte right now. At 160 calories and 16 grams of protein, it's totally a great choice, although an expensive habit.

The way my surgeon explained it to me was.....for the first few weeks after surgery the stomach is about the size of a #2 pencil. When all is said and done the stomach will eventually be about the size of one of the tiny baby bananas that you see at the supermarket.

So many great responses. I guess it's hard to get around the thought of my stomach doubling in size because I compare it to now (pre op) even though I know that's the wrong thing to do. And also coming from a formally successful bandster, if I felt I could eat too much, bam! I would go get a fill. But it also really helps put into perspective that I really need to make this first year count and really get with the program so that I don't have this problem with regain again. Luckily I have pretty much stopped my Starbucks addiction because that easily was 500 calories a day, every day and sometimes twice a day!

Starbucks will get you every single time! Now when I walk into Starbucks I say "I know now all of it cant be but make this drink as sugar free as possible" and the barista is super cool and does. The calories and sugar in the drink are cut by 2/3rds and I drink it. Of course I only get a tall.

Edited October 26, 201312 yr by endless80

I'm three years out. My capacity did just about double around nine months to a year out.

Before people start panicking, what does that mean? It means instead of 4 oz. of food I could fit about 8 oz. That left me room to eat a wider variety of foods, work some healthy, fibrous veggies in and to eat my Protein at every meal without relying so heavily on shakes. I still do a shake a day to up my protein, of course, but I don't have to anymore.

If I stick to dense protein alone I'm lucky to get 3-4 oz. in at one meal. That's still eating like a bird.

Caveat? Unfortunately, restriction (for the long haul) really only applies to good food choices and things like bread, Pasta and rice. Crispy junk foods slide right down, but that's another story.

~Cheri

I love reading these posts, and I will say this , not sure if the sleeve doubles or not but I will say this , if I do go thru with this surgery and everything is pointing that way, I may at some point gain a little back as we are not perfect but you can rest assured I WILL NEVER BE THE WEIGHT I AM NOW, not in this lifetime. I WILL NOT ALLOW MYSELF TO EVEN GET NEAR IT. Good luck to everyone and keep posting.

I am about 10 months out and there are times I can eat more than others. For example, the other day I ate 3/4ths of a slice of pizza where before I could only eat about half of a regular slice (if that). I'm at goal so it don't matter much. I have finally found balance.

I should post plate before and afters since I'm coming up on my 1 year soon.

Great info people thanks!

I don't know if it doubles in size or not, but I know most sleevers (including myself) can eat more after a year than we could the first few months after surgery. But for me, it's still a lot less than I was eating before surgery, which tells me it's still a good bit smaller than it was pre-sleeve. I'll be two years post op in a couple of weeks.

Hi, I'm a pre-op candidate and I hate to jump in here but I need to talk to some post sleeves - I REALLY want to do this op but am extremely scared that my 'life' will end. (I do love food) It's a bad place to be I know but can anyone help with this fear? Does your attitude towards food change over time??? Or will I grieve the loss of a painful but loving 'friend'

I agree that it pretty much doubles in size at a year. But after that, it really doesn't change much, maybe a little bit over the years. The swelling after surgery makes it where you can only eat a tiny bit for the first few months. Then you can eat a little more at about 6 months and sometimes a little more a few months after that. I have a very small sleeve, I think it was just luck of the draw that mine is so small. I either have a naturally small stomach or my surgeon made it that way. The first few months I could only eat maybe an ounce of dense food and a couple of ounces of soft food. Now at almost 2 years post op, I can eat about 2 ounces of dense protein like chicken, steak and I can eat about 4 ounces of soft food like cottage cheese. I have been able to eat the same amount since about 7 or 8 months post op and that is all I can eat STILL one year later. So yeah, it doesn't continue to change much in size if any at all after the first year. By the end of the first year, you should be pretty darn close to being at full capacity. I've seen a few vets on other forums mention their capacity did increase a bit between years 3-5, by maybe an ounce or less depending. I would recommend getting a surgeon who does a good, tight sleeve and takes the fundus out. Don't get a surgeon who believes in leaving a large sleeve UNLESS you have reasons for wanting a larger sleeve. I know some people would prefer that so it's up to you, just think I'd rather have the safest smallest sleeve possible. Don't be freaked out if you can eat very little at first. You will be able to slowly eat more throughout the first year and then you should be done healing most of the way. Good luck and don't be afraid. The sleeve is an excellent choice. Its worked out very well for me.

Hi, I'm a new sleeve candidate and I know I shouldn't be on here but I need some help - I REALLY want to do sleeve surgery but I am extremely scared that my 'life' will end. (I do love food) It's a bad place to be I know but can anyone help with this fear? Does your attitude towards food change over time??? Or will I grieve the loss of a painful but loving 'friend'

Absolutely not!! It does not double and the portion of the stomach that is left cannot stretch UNLESS your surgeon messes up on the top cut which is a precarious cut and cuts too wide. If you have an experienced surgeon this will not be an issue. After a while the hunger hormone can start working again as your body adapts. If you use that as an excuse to stuff yourself you will gain weight. You be in charge. Take especially the first year to get tough and change your habits so that when this happens you are in charge and not your hunger!!

Bumping this thread. It's awesome. Thanks to all vets who are posting here.

it is a great thread was really educational I am loving filling in my evenings reading as much as I can while I wait for my surgery date only 3 weeks to go now.

Lol. Me too. It's strange to see the amount of food I can eat now compared to before.

God I hope so. This eating like a bird sucks.

I did a sleeve from a lap band. Yes you will grieve the loss of food at first. I did. When I told my cousin I needed a support group to help me grieve, she laughed. She did not understand. Food was by best friend and I did not even know it. Now I have to find a new friend. However, it has helped me understand a friend of mine who uses the gym as her best friend. I have decided to trade my hoagie for the Elliptical. You will get used to it and actually learn to like the new measure of control, even though achieved secondary to your loss of stomach volume. BTW, your life won't end (I know where you're coming from). You will just develop a different relationship with food, and learn how to use and enjoy it without it becoming a detriment to your health. It's already happening for me and I'm only 4 weeks in.

Blessings and Success on your Journey!

I agree that it pretty much doubles in size at a year. But after that, it really doesn't change much, maybe a little bit over the years. The swelling after surgery makes it where you can only eat a tiny bit for the first few months. Then you can eat a little more at about 6 months and sometimes a little more a few months after that. I have a very small sleeve, I think it was just luck of the draw that mine is so small. I either have a naturally small stomach or my surgeon made it that way. The first few months I could only eat maybe an ounce of dense food and a couple of ounces of soft food. Now at almost 2 years post op, I can eat about 2 ounces of dense Protein like chicken, steak and I can eat about 4 ounces of soft food like cottage cheese. I have been able to eat the same amount since about 7 or 8 months post op and that is all I can eat STILL one year later. So yeah, it doesn't continue to change much in size if any at all after the first year. By the end of the first year, you should be pretty darn close to being at full capacity. I've seen a few vets on other forums mention their capacity did increase a bit between years 3-5, by maybe an ounce or less depending. I would recommend getting a surgeon who does a good, tight sleeve and takes the fundus out. Don't get a surgeon who believes in leaving a large sleeve UNLESS you have reasons for wanting a larger sleeve. I know some people would prefer that so it's up to you, just think I'd rather have the safest smallest sleeve possible. Don't be freaked out if you can eat very little at first. You will be able to slowly eat more throughout the first year and then you should be done healing most of the way. Good luck and don't be afraid. The sleeve is an excellent choice. Its worked out very well for me.

Hi, I'm a new sleeve candidate and I know I shouldn't be on here but I need some help - I REALLY want to do sleeve surgery but I am extremely scared that my 'life' will end. (I do love food) It's a bad place to be I know but can anyone help with this fear? Does your attitude towards food change over time??? Or will I grieve the loss of a painful but loving 'friend'