 The short answer to that question is no, your stomach cannot stretch back to its original size. And if we're talking about a vertical sleeve gastrectomy, the portion of the stomach that is removed is the most distensible portion with the hunger hormones and the stretch receptors in them. And once that's removed, it cannot grow back. Many patients assume that their stomach has grown back because they're regaining weight. But again, the weight gain is most likely from a behavioral or a life trigger such as a job loss or a grievance.