Question

Gastric bypass is a procedure used for weight loss or as a treatment for gastric cancers. In extreme cases the stomach is removed entirely, connecting the esophagus directly to the duodenum. Considering a patient who has had their entire stomach removed, describe how this would impact their digestion and absorption of macronutrients. Consider both mechanical and chemical digestion and be specific in your answer. You only need to describe what would be impacted; you do not need to list what wouldn’t be affected.

Answer 1

Stomach provides chemical (enzymatic) and mechanical digestion of food. It also serves as reservoir of food. Stomach secretes gastric acid (HCl), and enzymes like pepsin and pancreatic enzymes are secreted here. All these enzymes and acid act on dietary macromolecules to produce their monomeric units upon hydrolysis followed by their absorption in the intestine.

Removal of 95% or full stomach would reduce digestive process a lot. People can’t digest regular foods properly. They have to modify their eating habits. They have to choose liquid food items and should have small meals frequently instead of large meals thrice a day. This is because digestion wouldn’t occur properly and most of the food would be simply excreted.