What effects will total gastrectomy have on the body?

There are quite a lot of people suffering from stomach problems in our lives, and stomach problems are quite harmful to physical health. Some people may need total gastrectomy due to severe stomach diseases. In this case, the body is bound to be damaged, but many patients do not know what total gastrectomy means to them. They want to know: What impact will total gastrectomy have on the body? Let’s take a closer look below.

Dietary influence: In the short term after surgery (generally within three months), the amount of food intake is less than before surgery, and mainly soft, easily digestible food. The key is to eat in small quantities (especially one month after surgery). There is no limit on the type of food, but try not to eat or eat less cold and irritating food, which can easily cause gastrointestinal dysfunction. Starting one month after surgery, the type of food can be gradually increased, and semi-liquid food can be eaten, but not liquid food all the time. In clinical practice, it is often the case that family members of patients feed patients porridge after surgery, without giving them nutritious food. The patients lose a lot of weight, which affects their physical recovery and even their postoperative treatment. The key to eating in the early stage after gastrectomy is to chew slowly and eat small mouthfuls. Generally, patients can resume eating three meals a day after three months (partial gastrectomy) or half a year (total gastrectomy).

Iron deficiency anemia: After gastrectomy, patients have little or no stomach acid, which in turn affects the body's absorption of iron. Because the iron in the diet is trivalent iron, while the body's hematopoietic cells need divalent iron, a small number of patients need to take oral iron supplements. Why do we say it is a small part? Because the human body has a very good compensatory function. Even if some patients have their entire stomach removed, their hemoglobin level will be normal when checked after the operation.

Reflux esophagitis: A small number of patients who have undergone total gastrectomy may have reflux esophagitis because after total gastrectomy, the anti-reflux function of the cardia is lost, which can easily cause gastrointestinal contents to reflux into the esophagus. Bile refluxes into the esophagus and damages the esophageal mucosa. The patient may experience a burning sensation behind the sternum. Patients are advised not to lie flat after eating, but to exercise appropriately; take esophageal mucosal protectants, such as aluminum carbonate magnesium preparations, Jieweile, etc.; or swallow water. The condition will gradually improve as the disease recovers. There is no specific medicine for this symptom, and it requires medication, psychological adjustment and long-term improvement.

Dumping syndrome: Because the stomach capacity becomes smaller after surgery, food stays in the stomach for a shorter time and is quickly sent to the intestines. In order to digest and absorb this large amount of food as quickly as possible, the intestines need to secrete a large amount of digestive juice. In particular, carbohydrates as staple foods can be quickly absorbed in the intestines. When a large amount of carbohydrates is absorbed in a short period of time, the body will experience increased blood sugar. This is the mechanism of early dumping syndrome. Patients may experience sweating, palpitations, nausea, numbness, flushing of the face, general fatigue, abdominal pain, etc. within 30 minutes after eating. Other patients experience symptoms such as cold sweat, dizziness, and impaired consciousness 2-3 hours after a meal, which are characteristics of late dumping syndrome. The mechanism is that after blood sugar rises, the body will reactively secrete a large amount of insulin, which in turn causes a sharp drop in blood sugar levels. Preventive measures: Eat small amounts frequently and in small amounts each time. If you experience similar symptoms, reduce your sugar intake.

However, compared with the risk to life caused by gastric cancer, the adverse reactions after gastrectomy are completely acceptable.