Am I a candidate for a gastrectomy?
Gastrectomies can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including stomach cancer. We recommend you to refer to one of our surgical oncologists for an evaluation to determine if you are a candidate for surgery.
How do I prepare for gastrectomy?
Your doctor will ask you to stop smoking immediately and to refrain from doing it after the procedure. In addition, you will not be allowed to eat or drink anything between 4 or 6 hours before the procedure.
Which kind of surgery will I get?
After performing an examination, the surgeon will inform you which procedure will lead to the best results; open surgery is preferred for more advanced forms of cancer, while minimally invasive surgery is the main technique used to partially remove the stomach.
How much of my stomach needs to be removed?
This depends on the extent of cancer, most patients only need a partial removal to eliminate cancer from the affected area, the results are similar to some bariatric surgeries. A total gastrectomy is performed when cancer has spread through the entire stomach, on this surgery the esophagus and the small intestine are directly connected to maintain as much of the digestive process as possible.
How will my diet change after surgery?
Both surgeries have the same dietary precautions, these include avoiding sugary drinks and avoiding high-fiber foods, and taking vitamin and mineral supplements to maintain your health.