Do you need a referral for stomach removal surgery?

A referral does not itself confirm that surgery will be performed; the surgical team must review the diagnosis, your health, and the available treatment options.

Gastrectomy removes part or all of the stomach and changes how food passes through the digestive system. Planning may involve surgical oncology, gastroenterology, anaesthesia, nutrition, radiology, and other cancer specialists. The referral brings together the diagnosis, endoscopy and imaging information, tissue results, previous treatment, medicines, and relevant health conditions so the team can consider the operation and alternatives.

Ask the referring clinician which records have been sent and whether the hospital needs original images or pathology material. Bring an up-to-date medicine list, allergy details, and a summary of previous operations and major illnesses. Record changes in appetite, swallowing, vomiting, bowel habits, pain, and weight. The team may arrange further assessment and nutritional support before deciding whether surgery is appropriate.

Do not wait for a routine surgical appointment if you vomit blood, pass black tar-like stool, develop severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain, faint, or cannot keep fluids down. Difficulty swallowing that prevents eating or drinking also needs prompt assessment. After an operation, use the surgical team's contact instructions for fever, worsening wound redness, new breathlessness, persistent vomiting, or escalating abdominal pain.

Ask which portion of the stomach might be removed, why this approach is being considered, and what other treatments may be part of the plan. Discuss how eating may change, what nutritional follow-up is provided, how medicines will be managed, what recovery support you may need at home, and whom to contact between appointments.