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Gastrectomy: Before Your Surgery

What is a gastrectomy?

Gastrectomy is surgery to remove all or part of the stomach. It is often done to remove tumours or areas with ulcers. In some cases, the doctor may also cut the nerves that signal the stomach to make acid. This is called a vagotomy.

The doctor will close the cut (incision) in your belly with stitches or surgical staples. These will be removed 7 to 10 days after surgery.

After surgery, your stomach will be smaller than before. This means that you will get full more quickly when you eat. You may need to change the way you eat so that you get enough nutrition. Drink fluids between meals instead of with meals. You may need to eat 5 or 6 small meals each day instead of 2 or 3 large meals.

Most people go home 4 to 5 days after surgery. You will probably be able to return to work or your normal routine in 4 to 6 weeks.

How do you prepare for surgery?

Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.

Preparing for surgery

Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
If you take a medicine that prevents blood clots, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it before your surgery. Or your doctor may tell you to keep taking it. (These medicines include aspirin and other blood thinners.) Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.
Tell your doctor ALL the medicines and natural health products you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your surgery. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the surgery and how soon to do it.
Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance care plan. If you don't have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It's a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.

What happens on the day of surgery?

Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking. If you don't, your surgery may be cancelled. If your doctor told you to take your medicines on the day of surgery, take them with only a sip of water.
Take a bath or shower before you come in for your surgery. Do not apply lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or nail polish.
Do not shave the surgical site yourself.
Take off all jewellery and piercings. And take out contact lenses, if you wear them.

At the hospital or surgery centre

Bring a picture ID.
The area for surgery is often marked to make sure there are no errors.
You will be kept comfortable and safe by your anesthesia provider. You will be asleep during the surgery.
The surgery will take about 1 to 3 hours.
After surgery, the bowel usually "rests" for a few days before it starts working again. You may have a thin plastic tube in your nose that goes into your stomach. This tube drains stomach juices and prevents nausea. The drainage usually looks green, brown, or even black with flecks of blood. The tube will be removed in a few days, after your bowels start working again. After the tube is removed, you can start drinking and eating again.

When should you call your doctor?

You have questions or concerns.
You don't understand how to prepare for your surgery.
You become ill before the surgery (such as fever, flu, or a cold).
You need to reschedule or have changed your mind about having the surgery.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter I856 in the search box to learn more about "Gastrectomy: Before Your Surgery".

Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.