Gathering stats resets the statistics...
create table t as select * from all_objects;
insert into t select * from t where owner ='SCOTT';
commit;
update t set created = sysdate
where owner ='SCOTT';
commit;
delete from t where owner ='DEMO';
commit;
select table_name,inserts,updates,deletes,truncated
from user_tab_modifications
where table_name ='T';
TABLE_NAME INSERTS UPDATES DELETES TRUNCATED
T 4 8 0 NO
exec dbms_stats.gather_table_stats ( user, 'T' ) ;
select table_name,inserts,updates,deletes,truncated
from user_tab_modifications
where table_name ='T';
no rows selected
So there's no guarantee this will help.