Gastrectomy Surgery (Stomach Surgery) in the East Valley
The stomach is one of the organs in your body’s digestive system. Located between your esophagus (food pipe) and small intestine, it helps to store and digest food. A gastrectomy, or stomach surgery, is a type of abdominal surgery that the team at Surgical Professionals has years of experience performing. From consultation to post-surgical care, we’re confident your procedure can be a safe and successful one. Our post-surgery consultation is designed to address any concerns you have about your symptoms and overall health.
To schedule a consultation with our team for a gastrectomy surgery, contact us online today or call us at 480-887-0047. We operate at most major hospitals throughout Arizona’s East Valley.
Who Needs a Gastrectomy?
A gastrectomy is a surgery typically performed to treat stomach cancer, but it may also be used to treat stomach issues that aren’t helped by other treatments:
- Bleeding
- Inflammation
- Benign (non-cancerous) tumors
- Polyps
- Perforations in the stomach wall
- Severe duodenal or peptic ulcers
Some types of gastrectomy are used to treat obesity, but it is a last-resort treatment after all other options like diet, exercise, counseling, and/or medication have proven unsuccessful.
How is a Gastrectomy Performed?
There are three major types of gastrectomy surgery:
- Partial gastrectomy (lower half of stomach is removed)
- Complete gastrectomy (entire stomach is removed)
- Sleeve gastrectomy (up to three-quarters of stomach is removed)
All types of gastrectomy can be performed in two ways: open surgery or laparoscopic surgery. In an open gastrectomy, the surgeon makes one large incision and pulls back the skin, muscle, and tissue to access your stomach. A laparoscopic gastrectomy involves the surgeon inserting a camera and other surgical tools into several small incisions to accomplish the procedure. A laparoscopic procedure has fewer risks and is less painful, allowing for a quicker recovery time. Not everyone is a candidate for a laparoscopic gastrectomy.
Once the gastrectomy is completed, the surgeon closes the incision(s) with stitches and bandages the wound. You’ll be taken to a hospital room to recover and your vital signs will be monitored there.
The average hospital stay following a gastrectomy is one week, but you may need longer to heal. During your recovery period, your medical team will monitor you closely and promptly treat any complications that might arise. You’ll also likely have a tube inserted that runs from your nose to your stomach, which allows your physician to remove any fluids and helps keep you from feeling nauseated.
By the time you leave the hospital, your incision(s) will have already begun to heal. Most people can resume driving around three weeks post-surgery, as long as they aren’t taking any pain medication that may make them drowsy. You may have to adjust your eating habits to include smaller meals, but eventually your stomach and small intestine will stretch, and you’ll be able to consume larger meals and more fiber.
Risks of Gastrectomies
As with all surgeries, the potential complications of a gastrectomy depend on your overall health and the surgery method your surgeon uses. The most common gastrectomy risks include acid reflux, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. Other more serious risks are:
- Gastric dumping syndrome, a severe form of maldigestion
- Infection of the incision or in the chest
- Internal bleeding
- Stomach acid leaking into your esophagus
- Blockage of the small bowel
- Damage to adjacent structures
Schedule a Gastrectomy in the East Valley
The general surgeons at Surgical Professionals have decades of combined experience in performing stomach surgeries for patients in Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek, and the surrounding areas.
To schedule a gastrectomy consultation, contact us online today or call us at 480-887-0047. We typically can schedule a consultation for you within three days.
