Gastrectomy: Types, Procedure and Treatment
Article Context
- Gastrectomy
- Types of Gastrectomy
- Procedure
- Risks and Complications
- Care at Medicover
- Frequently Asked Questions
A gastrectomy is a medical-surgical operation in which all or part of the stomach is surgically removed.
The stomach is a muscular and hollow organ of the digestive tract situated on the left side of the upper abdomen. It is one of the parts of the digestive system and functions as a vital digestive organ.

Gastrectomy indications
- Recurrent ulcer disease.
- Large duodenal perforations
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST),
- Signet ring cell gastric cancer.
- Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer
- Adenocarcinoma
- Bleeding gastric ulcer
- Refractory gastric ulcer disease
- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs)
- Corrosive stricture of the stomach
- Primary gastric melanoma
- Sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric banding
Types of Gastrectomy
The indications of thyroidectomy are -
- A partial gastrectomy takes place when a section of the stomach is excised. Typically, the lowest half is eliminated.
- The entire stomach is excised during a total gastrectomy.
- The left side of the stomach is cut during sleeve gastrectomy surgery. This procedure is done as part of a surgery for loss of weight.
Book an appointment with a gastrointestinal surgeon or general surgeon for a gastrectomy.
How to prepare
Before the surgery, you have to have some tests, such as surgical blood tests and body scans, as suggested by your doctor. This is done to determine your overall general health.
The doctor will review your medical history and check if you have any bleeding problems, allergies, if you are pregnant, any other medical conditions, etc.
You have to stop certain habits like smoking, chewing tobacco, and excess alcohol consumption, which can delay your recovery period.
An enema may be given to you one night before the surgery. You also have to do overnight fasting, and maybe intravenous fluid will be administered to keep you hydrated.

Procedure
Post-operative recovery
- You may remain in the hospital for the duration of your gastrectomy treatment.
- You will be given intravenous fluids and be allowed to take liquids once your bowel sounds return to normal.
- You can slowly consume semi-solid and solid foods as the healing process continues.
Depending on the operation type and your general health, the doctor will decide on your discharge from the hospital.
Gastrectomy surgery risks and complications-
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection of the wound
- Diarrhoea
- Heartburn
- Injury to the nearby organs during the operative procedure
- Post-operative pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Vitamin deficiency
- Weight loss
- Gastric dumping syndrome
- Difficulty breathing
- Pneumonia
Care at Medicover Hospital
Medicover Hospitals has some of the top surgical gastroneterologists who provide gastrectomy surgery to patients with varying medical needs. We are also equipped with world-class infrastructure, latest technologies and medical equipment to offer the finest level of surgical treatments and care at our center.
Get complete guidance and counselling on gastrectomy surgery along with complete pre- and post-operative plan.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Until you're able to eat and drink regularly again, nutrition will be administered intravenously or through a tube put through your tummy into the bowel. Many patients can start eating a light diet after a week of gastrectomy.
A gastrectomy is major surgery and the recovery period can be lengthy. You may be discharged in about 1 to 2 weeks after having a gastrectomy.
- You need to take complete bed rest in the first few days after the surgery.
- Start with liquids and semi-solid foods after a few weeks, as per the doctor's advice.
- Limit physical activities for a few weeks.
- Avoid stomach movements
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol
- Avoid solid foods immediately after the surgery