Which specialist performs stomach removal surgery?

A gastrectomy removes part or all of the stomach, depending on the disease and the area that needs treatment. The surgical oncologist plans the operation, discusses nearby lymph nodes when relevant, and reconnects the digestive tract so food can pass after surgery. An anaesthetist manages anaesthesia and monitoring. Nurses, dietitians, and medical or radiation oncologists may contribute before and after the operation.

Your team may arrange blood tests, scans, nutrition assessment, and instructions about eating, drinking, smoking, and medicines. Tell the surgeon about previous abdominal operations, allergies, blood-thinning treatment, and weight or swallowing changes. Ask how the operation may affect meals, hospital recovery, wound care, and follow-up treatment.

After surgery, contact the team urgently for fever, worsening abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, a swollen abdomen, heavy wound bleeding, chest pain, breathing difficulty, or inability to keep fluids down. These signs can indicate infection, bleeding, a digestive leak, dehydration, or another complication requiring assessment.

Ask whether you need a partial or total gastrectomy, how digestion will be rerouted, how nutrition will be supported, which symptoms require urgent help, and whether other cancer treatments are planned.