Reasons for having a gastrectomy
A gastrectomy is done when all or part of your stomach needs to be removed.
It's usually done to treat conditions that affect the stomach, including stomach cancer and oesophageal cancer.
This information is about gastrectomy for stomach conditions, not weight loss. There's separate information about weight loss surgery.
What happens during a gastrectomy
A gastrectomy is done in hospital using a general anaesthetic, meaning you'll be asleep during the operation.
The type of gastrectomy you have will depend on whether all of your stomach needs to be removed (total gastrectomy) or only part of it (partial gastrectomy). Some people need to have part of their oesophagus removed as well.
A gastrectomy can take between 3 and 8 hours, depending on the type you have.
During a gastrectomy
The main steps of a gastrectomy are:
- The surgeon makes one or more cuts in your tummy or chest – these may be large cuts (open surgery) or small ones (keyhole surgery).
- The affected parts of your stomach and oesophagus are removed.
- If you're having surgery for cancer, the lymph nodes around your stomach may also be removed.
- The remaining parts of your digestive system are joined back together.
- The surgeon closes the wounds in your tummy or chest using clips, stiches, or glue.
After the operation
When you wake up you may have several tubes in your body, such as a catheter to drain away pee. These will gradually be removed as you recover.
You will not be able to eat or drink when you first wake up from surgery. You'll get fluids and nutrition through a drip or feeding tube instead. You'll usually be able to start having sips of water from 24 to 48 hours after surgery.
You should be able to go home after 1 to 2 weeks in hospital.