Hi everyone,

I had the gastric sleeve and I am regretful of it. I want my stomach to stretch or to have hope that one day it might. I was honestly so much happier before. I’m wondering if anyone knows if the sleeve can stretch and how much? Is it possible to have a surgeon do this? I realize this is an odd request but I miss dinners with my boyfriend and family. If someone has information please let me know.

you got it for a reason... When did you get it done? You want to stretch it so you can go out and have dinners? you can still have dinners if you have healed up. you just simply wont eat as much.

So I was diagnosed with PCOS and could not get pregnant. I became very symptomatic and desperate. I was told bariatric surgery could resolve infertility issues related to PCOS. After I had the sleeve I became very regretful. I know it seems ridiculous. I was so sick of dealing with PCOS. My periods were not coming and I was on a pill to create an artificial period so the lining of my uterus would not thicken (causes cancer) but the thought of only eating a 4 ounce meal for the rest of my life makes me regret the sleeve. I know how it sounds…I just wanted to know if there’s anyone out there that has stretched it. I’m still in the early stages…

26 minutes ago, cancan1 said:

So I was diagnosed with PCOS and could not get pregnant. I became very symptomatic and desperate. I was told bariatric surgery could resolve infertility issues related to PCOS. After I had the sleeve I became very regretful. I know it seems ridiculous. I was so sick of dealing with PCOS. My periods were not coming and I was on a pill to create an artificial period so the lining of my uterus would not thicken (causes cancer) but the thought of only eating a 4 ounce meal for the rest of my life makes me regret the sleeve. I know how it sounds…I just wanted to know if there’s anyone out there that has stretched it. I’m still in the early stages…

you won't be eating 4 oz meals for the rest of your life - that's only early out.

I had bypass (not sleeve, but it's the same for sleeve patients) and although I eat much less than I used to, I can go out to dinner and eat enough that no one would ever expect that I had bariatric surgery. I'll usually order an appetizer - or I'll order an entree and eat half of it, and take the rest home with me. Honestly, that's about as much as many of my never-been-obese women friends eat. As I said, no one would ever guess at this point that I've had surgery.

Edited February 7, 20224 yr by catwoman7

Maybe you will feel better about your decision after your have some time to adjust. My husband and I used to love going out to eat big meals and buffets. He got esophageal cancer so he can only eat really small amounts. We very rarely go out to eat now. Maybe you and your friends can find other non meal activities to enjoy. Your stomach will hold more as time goes on, but I don’t think it will stretch very much.

58 minutes ago, cancan1 said:

So I was diagnosed with PCOS and could not get pregnant. I became very symptomatic and desperate. I was told bariatric surgery could resolve infertility issues related to PCOS. After I had the sleeve I became very regretful. I know it seems ridiculous. I was so sick of dealing with PCOS. My periods were not coming and I was on a pill to create an artificial period so the lining of my uterus would not thicken (causes cancer) but the thought of only eating a 4 ounce meal for the rest of my life makes me regret the sleeve. I know how it sounds…I just wanted to know if there’s anyone out there that has stretched it. I’m still in the early stages…

When did you get the sleeve surgery?

First of all, no you cannot have your sleeve reversed or stretched surgically. This is a permanent, irreversible surgery. So you need to come to terms with that because there is no "out" at this point. Holding out for your "old" life is going to cause some serious trauma, so take a moment and let yourself begin processing the fact that this is your life now. Second of all, if the attraction to food is stronger than your desire to live a long, healthy life, then its probably time to have a conversation with a therapist. You can and will one day eat relatively normally again, though maybe not the portions you had before surgery, so you need to give it time. And the period of restriction is minimal compared to the rest of your life. But it sounds like there is some underlying mental/emotional things that need to be dealt with. If you truly feel that being able to eat "normally" right NOW is worth more to you than your life, or that the strain of post-op life is more than you can handle, please consider getting some qualified support. You CAN do this and it IS worth it. We want to see you succeed and be healthy and well, but you're going to need to get some help.

I'm not sure why you can't go out to eat. I go out to eat, and I'm not even five months out from surgery. I just order what I want and ask the server to bring a to-go box at the same time as the plate. I portion out what I think I'm going to eat and put the rest in the box. Or I just order an appetizer if there's one that looks good to me.

I definitely am eating more than 4 oz. of food at a time, and I'm still losing 2-3 lbs. a week.

I agree with others that it's probably time for you to look for someone to talk to about your pining for the old days. Because what's done is done. "Stomach stretching" takes years if it happens at all—and there are plenty of WLS veterans on this very board who, three or five or even ten years later, have reduced appetite.

I am sorry you are feeling so regretful about your surgery. I wonder how much of your despair comes from your medical team not fully informing you of what to expect as you progress through the process coupled with dealing with your inability to turn to the food that used to offer you comfort & working through the issues you are dealing with in regards your health.

@sleevemealone suggested, a therapist may be very helpful. Ask your medical team for a referral to one who specialises in eating disorders & bariatric patients. There are many people on this forum who have benefitted from the support of a therapist.

As you progress, you will be able to eat more food (portion size will increase until by maintenance you are eating about recommended serving sizes) & a broader range of foods. Many still eat some of their old favourite foods - just not as often & in smaller portions.

Having a sleeve does not limit your social life at all. I went to a 60th birthday party two weeks after surgery. Sure I didn’t eat or drink any of what was provided (I took my own drink) but I still had a great time being with friends. I go out to dinner often. I socialise with friends & family often & did from pretty early out. I just make better food choices than I used to before my surgery. I have weekends away with girlfriends & family. My sleeve doesn’t stop me living my life. It helps me live it better because I’m fitter, physically & emotionally healthier & happier.

I wish you all the best.

Edited February 8, 20224 yr by Arabesque

Did you talk to a counselor before having the surgery to understand the severity, permanency, and restrictions for what you'd be doing? How long ago did you have the surgery? If it was just recent, maybe your hormones are still messing with you from the operation. If it is longer than that, why aren't you eating more than 4 oz? You can.

No, you can't stretch your own stomach and no you can't have surgery to stretch it back out.

I would highly suggest you talk to a therapist about your situation.

I agree with everyone above who recommended seeing a bariatric therapist. And I think you need to remind yourself the reason you had this surgery to begin with. You have a desire to become a parent, and this is a tool that you chose to help you get to that goal. If you get on board with your surgeons program and follow it, and seek therapy, hopefully the PCOS will be reversed and you can have a child. Visualize your goals. You can do this!

I think you may be in the intial period of the surgery and it takes time to get adjusted to a new lifestyle.

Yes you won't be able to binge or have big portion of food like you used to but post-Op your portion sizes do increase.

I also have PCOS and have dealt with and even now dealing with it's horrendous side effects. Hirutism, acne, no periods, weight gain, dark patches, skin tags, metabolic syndrome, high BP and HR (but never took meds for it) anxiety, depression you name it and I have/had it.

I'll anyday take this surgery over having to deal with plethora of PCOS related symptoms.

My acne has gotten better, blood pressure and HR have normalized so far. No periods still. But I am sure as I continue to lose, some of these side effects will minimize. There's no guarantee, but I am sure I am on a better boat post-Op. My cravings and binge eating have also gotten better, which was never the case post tons of diet plans.

This surgery is definitely a boon for many. But it takes time, patience,work and sacrificing of certain elements.

Like many suggested, try therapist and see that may help or give it couple of months of adjustment. Good luck.

Edited February 8, 20224 yr by DaisyAndSunshine

I am really sorry to hear you so full of regret. It's very common after any life-changing event, and perhaps it's worse with bariatric surgery because we chose it and made happen (and some of us even paid for it). You're grieving for your old best friend - food. Probably unhealthy food at that. I certainly did and I think lots of us hit a point post-op where we think 'what have I done??'

Everyone here is giving good advice - especially about seeking professional help from a therapist. I will just say be kind to yourself, give yourself time to recover properly, and then reassess your feelings. Once you start losing significant amounts of weight you may feel way better. I really hope you do. ?

Edited February 8, 20224 yr by Spinoza
spelling

I had a lot of regret for the first few months after surgery. I hated eating; it hurt and nothing tasted right. I'm not sure where in this process you are, but at almost 5 months out, I'm now more comfortable.

Since the first month I've eaten out frequently - I travel for work and eat out able half my meals. You won't be able to finish a ginormous restaurant portion, but you can still enjoy the food (once you are able to eat "regular" foods). You can have your partner finish your food or take it to go and enjoy it the next day! I order full meals because appetizers sometimes aren't that healthy, but I don't have any shame in not finishing.

I agree with everyone that you might try to connect with a bariatric therapist, but that can be hard to find.

Can you figure out what, besides large portions, are missing from your life? Is it the comfort of being able to overeat? Is it being to turn to food when you have big emotions? There are solutions to these.

As others have said, no, you can’t reverse this. What’s done is done, and you’ll have to start looking forward to the future, not what you liked in the past. If you’re in the first few months post op, this is not the rest of your life. In the future you’re most likely going to be able to eat a lot of the foods you loved, go out to eat, have an active social life, etc.

I’m almost 1.5 years out and maintaining a 175 lb loss while enjoying a lot of my favorite foods, going out to eat, and yes, having the occasional drink. I balance it all out with small portion sizes, elimination of some trigger foods, and exercise.

Look toward a brighter future. You’ll be able to eat the foods you love, without the fear of binging. Having a family is an amazing experience, and I would give up every favorite meal and “normal” eating experience for what I’ve gained with having my kids. You’ve got a lot to look forward to, keep your focus on the future!

Has no one taken the time to read what she said ?? She only did this because she was told it would help her with the possibility of becoming pregnant. Maybe she wasn’t severely obese. Obviously no one has shared with her that it is normal to have regrets. Maybe she does need a therapist or maybe we as a Bariatric community can be mindful of the tone that comes across in a post.
I pray you come to a healthy place.