How can you digest food without a stomach if it is removed by gastrectomy?

Answer 1

The stomach has three main functions in digestion: -Mechanical digestion, the muscles in the stomach further mix and MASH the food you're swallowed -Chemical digestion: the stomach contains Hydrochloric acid which dissolves and dissociates solid structures into free molecules -Enzymatic Digestion: The stomach contains an enzyme called pepsin that breaks large protein molecules into smaller molecules Of those three functions, the first two are not critical in the production of useable molecules from food, they only ease the process. Further along the digestive tract, the pancreas secretes an enzyme called trypsin that performs the the same function as pepsin. As you can see, if a person is wise about what they eat (soft foods that dissolve easily), the stomach is not required for digestion. It does, however, make it significantly easier, which is why we have them.

Answer 2

Yes. People who have had stomach cancers commonly have their stomachs removed.

In general terms, the oesophagus is connected to the duodenum (top / first part of the small inestine, which plays a similar role to the stomach) once the stomach is taken out.

Initially, patients have difficulty eating, but the relevant areas grow to accomodate reasonable amounts of food, and enzyme taht aid digestion still are produced.

Answer 3

People who have had surgery can live without a stomach. They have to however take small meals more frequently as they have no stomach and have to have additional vitamin supplements. The food can also be liquidised for easier digestion.