Preventing Pouch Dilation after Sleeve Gastrectomy
February 12, 2024One common cause of weight regain after sleeve gastrectomy is that of stretching or dilation of the remaining stomach. This leads to an increase in storage capacity and, ultimately, weight gain. With an enlarged stomach, patients require increased amounts of food to feel satisfied. Avoiding this issue is obviously preferable, so the following is a discussion of the common causes for pouch dilation of the stomach after weight loss surgery.
Carbonated Beverages
One frequent offender is that of drinking carbonated beverages. The actual volume of liquid in these drinks is far exceeded by the volume of carbonated gas that they contain. Recall, most remaining stomachs after a sleeve will hold approximately 4 to 6 ounces. Clearly, 4 ounces of a soda would also come with an associated amount of gas as well. This can cause stretching of the stomach and lead to weight gain. Caffeine is acceptable, carbonation should be avoided.
Foods That Swell
Another cause of stretching is that of eating foods that swell when exposed to water. Large volumes of breads, pastas, rice and others will expand in the stomach, which can lead to dilation of the sleeve above this area. These foods should be minimized in order to avoid weight regain.
Pregnancy and Pouch Dilation
Finally, pregnancy can also contribute to stretching of the stomach after surgery. One of the predominant hormones of pregnancy is progesterone. Among many things, progesterone also promotes relaxation of smooth muscles. This allows the uterus to expand to accommodate the baby; it allows the pelvic ligaments to relax in preparation for delivery. This is also the reason that many women will get heartburn or reflux, varicose veins or hemorrhoids. All due to smooth muscle relaxation.
The stomach is also a smooth muscle. For this reason, some women may notice an increase in their storage capacity after pregnancy.
It is always easier to avoid problems than to deal with them later, so it pays to be aware of the above issues. The good news is that these issues can be dealt with fairly easily in most cases. If you suspect you may have stretched your sleeve or pouch after weight loss surgery, schedule a consultation with your bariatric surgeon. You may be pleasantly surprised to hear about your options.
Dr. Nick Nicholson practices out of the Nicholson Clinic for Weight Loss Surgery.
 | ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Nick Nicholson is one of the nation’s leading bariatric surgeons. He’s been performing weight loss surgery since 2001 and has helped patients from ALL 50 states and 11 countries. He leads a team of top surgeons, specializing in Sleeve Gastrectomy, Gastric Bypass, LAP-BAND, Revisions, Gastric Balloon, and abdominal cosmetic surgery after weight loss. He practices out of the Nicholson Clinic for Weight Loss Surgery. Read more articles by Dr. Nick Nicholson! |
