A Quick Look at Gastrectomy

A gastrectomy is a surgery that removes part or all of the stomach. A gastrectomy treats various conditions of the stomach and small intestine. Some types of bariatric surgery (weight-loss surgery) include a gastrectomy.

There are three types of gastrectomy. A partial gastrectomy removes part of the stomach and connects the small intestine to the remaining stomach. A total gastrectomy removes the whole stomach and connects the small intestine to the esophagus. A sleeve gastrectomy is also called stomach stapling, a type of weight-loss surgery. It removes a large part of the stomach and uses staples to make a smaller stomach. The small intestine is connected to the new, smaller stomach.

A gastrectomy treats certain conditions of the stomach and small intestine. These include gastric cancer and benign stomach tumors. A gastrectomy can prevent stomach cancer in high-risk people. Gastrectomy treats ulcers in the stomach and small intestine that cause serious bleeding. Gastrectomy is also a type of weight-loss (bariatric) surgery. It can help obese people reduce their health risks by losing weight.

A surgeon will perform your surgery in a hospital. Several types of surgeons perform gastrectomies. Surgical oncologists treat cancer with surgery. General surgeons perform various surgeries, including stomach surgery. If you’re having a gastrectomy as part of a weight-loss plan, you want a bariatric surgeon. Bariatric surgeons focus on weight-loss surgery, such as gastric banding and gastric bypass, including vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Let Healthgrades help you find a surgeon in your area.

You will need some tests to get ready for surgery. They often include blood tests, a chest X-ray, an abdominal CT scan, and other tests. Tell your surgeon about your allergies, medications, and full medical history. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions about when to stop all food and drink before surgery. You will most likely stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and blood thinners before surgery.

You can expect to sign a surgical consent, remove all clothing and jewelry, and dress in a hospital gown. You will talk with the surgical team about your medical history. Your surgery team will start an IV. They will also attach wires to your body and possibly some tubes that control and monitor your vital signs and body functions. You will not feel the tubes, wires, or the surgery. You can expect your care team to keep you comfortable during this process.

You will have general anesthesia so you do not feel pain during surgery. Open surgery removes the stomach through a large incision in the belly. Laparoscopic surgery uses smaller incisions and tiny tools. It generally has a faster recovery than open surgery. There is also less pain. The type of surgery depends on your age, medical history, general health, and reason for the surgery.

Talk to your surgeon about your pain control plan. Gastrectomy involves some discomfort, but your care team will keep you comfortable. You will have anesthesia so you do not feel any pain during surgery. Contact your doctor if you are following your pain control plan but you are still experiencing pain. You should also call if your pain gets worse or changes, because it can be a sign of a complication.

As will all surgeries, there are some risks involved with a gastrectomy. Risks include bleeding, a blood clot, infection, anesthesia reaction, delayed healing of incisions, and dumping syndrome (post-gastrectomy syndrome). Dumping syndrome is a rapid emptying of stomach contents into the small intestine. This can cause nausea, vomiting, cramping, and abdominal pain. You can also have weight loss, heartburn, and problems swallowing.

You will rest briefly in the recovery room after surgery and stay in the hospital three to ten days. You will have a tube that clears your remaining stomach of all matter for a few days. It is taken out when your stomach and intestines are moving normally again. Your diet will slowly advance from liquid to solid foods. Full recovery is a gradual process and may take a few months. Times vary depending on your age, general health, type of gastrectomy, and other factors.

After a gastrectomy, you will most likely return to many of your usual activities once your body heals. However, you can expect changes in your diet and how much food you can consume at one time. You may have to avoid certain types of food, and eat smaller, more frequent meals. A registered dietician will help you adapt to a new diet. You might need to take vitamin supplements depending on how much of your stomach is removed. A gastrectomy for stomach cancer will most likely include radiation and chemotherapy, both of which improve your prognosis compared to surgery alone.