Did you know that it’s not necessary to have a stomach to live a healthy life? This is a daily reality for some people who have survived stomach cancer. You may have numerous questions if your doctor has indicated surgery as a treatment for stomach cancer; this is understandable. It is normal to wonder what happens once your stomach is removed. Here is some advice on maintaining your health after undergoing gastrectomy treatment if you have been told that you have stomach or gastric cancer and require surgery.
Gastrectomy
The removal of all or part of the stomach is gastrectomy. Gastrectomy may be performed in one of three primary ways:
- The removal of a portion of the stomach is a partial gastrectomy. In most cases, the bottom portion is eliminated.
- The removal of the patient’s whole stomach is a complete gastrectomy.
- The removal of the left half of the stomach is a sleeve gastrectomy.
This is often done as part of a surgical procedure for weight reduction. Even after removing your stomach, you can still digest food and drink properly. However, following the treatment, you may need to make a few adjustments to how you live your life.
The Reason to Do Gastrectomy
Gastrectomy is a procedure that the doctors recommend to address stomach issues when previous therapies have not been successful. The physician could suggest a gastrectomy in the following conditions:
- Stomach cancer
- Inflammation
- Bleeding
- Severe peptic or duodenal ulcers
- Holes in the stomach wall
- Polyps or growths within your stomach
Some types of gastrectomy can also be used to treat obesity. When the stomach is reduced in size, food may more rapidly be taken in. This may help you eat less. However, gastrectomy is a suitable therapy for obesity only when other treatments have been tried and shown to be unsuccessful.
What Happens if Your Stomach is Removed?
You can expect some discomfort in the tummy after having a gastrectomy. Following surgery, you may need pain medication for the first week or two after the procedure. The incision (cut) that the doctor made may be painful and tender.
Because the procedure reduces the size of your stomach, you will feel full sooner due to eating the same amount of food. It’s also possible that food moves through to the small intestine too rapidly. This condition is known as dumping syndrome.
It may also cause you to feel weak, unsteady, and queasy, causing diarrhoea. It may also make it difficult for your body to get the appropriate amount of nourishment. Consult with a Gastroenterologist if you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of dumping syndrome.
It is essential to refrain from doing any intense activity or moving heavy objects while you are healing so your tummy can heal properly. Within four to six weeks, you should be able to return to work or your regular schedule. If you want to feel well as soon as possible, follow the instructions given by the doctor.
Consuming Food After Having a Gastrectomy
If you don’t have a stomach, you won’t be able to manage standard quantities of food, and you may not even notice that you’re hungry. It is crucial to keep in mind that proper nutrition is an essential component of your overall health, even if you are not currently feeling hungry.
You will need to eat less food but more times throughout the day, anywhere from six to eight smaller meals. After eating, it is possible that the doctor would advise you to maintain an upright position for a particular period. If you are experiencing trouble eating, the doctor may assist you in adjusting your diet.
Some people may suffer from a disease known as dumping syndrome. After a meal, symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea, perspiration, and flushing might occur when a portion of the stomach or the whole stomach is removed. This causes the ingested food to travel through the digestive tract more rapidly. There are therapies available that may assist in alleviating these symptoms.
Since the stomach is no longer present to handle the grinding and breakdown of food, patients must take tiny pieces and thoroughly chew the food. This will help the patient digest their meal more effectively.
Keeping a Stable Weight
With patience and effort, you will eventually consume enough calories to resume all of your previous activities. Foods that are nutritious, rich in calories, and low in sugar provide the most bang for their calorie buck. The consumption of calories should be your first focus.
You will not be able to consume the same food as before your operation. Therefore, acquiring the calories in smaller quantities of high-calorie meals is crucial.
Dietary Recommendations
Consuming a wide range of foods at each meal, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, foods high in protein, and dairy products, can help you maintain a healthy balance in your diet. You should make it a goal not to go more than two or three hours without eating.
Carry some nutritious snacks with you so that you may grab a meal whenever they want strikes. Calories may be provided via nutrient-dense liquids, which can also be simpler to take than solid meals in certain situations. Consider consuming alternatives such as milk, eggnog, or unsweetened juice rather than water, coffee, or tea.
You may not be able to alter the fact that your digestive system is different, but you can adjust your food and your lifestyle so that you may live a whole and satisfying life following surgery.
Before and after having gastric surgery, you must stick to the dietary regimen that your surgeon provides you. The meals you are permitted to consume are planned to assist your body in the healing process and prepare the way for a lifetime of good eating for the rest of your life. Exercise is also a crucially essential factor. Consulting an expert Gastroenterologist is vital to avoid any other complications. Marham is where you can find the best stomach doctor to discuss any of your concerns.
FAQs
1. What are the disadvantages to having your stomach taken out?
- Leaking from a place where surgery was done.
- Chest infection
- Stricture is when stomach acid gets into the oesophagus and causes scarring.
- Bleeding inside the body
- Wound infections, etc., are some of the common disadvantages of gastrectomy.
2. How long do you stay in the hospital following a gastrectomy?
After a partial gastrectomy, most people stay in the hospital for three to five days. On the other hand, a complete gastrectomy may require a week or more stay.