Expert: John Pilcher, MD - 12/17/2011

Question
Dr. Pilcher, i am in the very early stages of pursuing bariatric surgery as I live in Ontario and my doctor has just recently sent in the forms my approval.  I have a BMI of 55 and mobility issues due to arthritis and the weight on my joints so I am hopeful that i will be able to have it because it was a big decision to make and i really want to be able to get healthy so i can be a good mom to my two kids.

My biggest concern with the gastric bypass (that was bothersome enough that i almost didn't go through with the approval process)
is that your stomach is left inside you yet it doesn't function or serve any purpose.  I worry if there are risks for cancer or other problems by leaving an organ inside the body not being used as it was intended?

Thank you SO much!

Answer
Vee,
This is a smart question that you are asking.

First, the main reason that we leave the lower stomach in place at the time of surgery, even though it is not really needed, is that removal of that stomach section is a significant operation all by itself. One of the ways that surgeons keep complications as low as possible is to avoid any 'extra' parts of the surgery and focus just on the essentials. Second, although it is rare, sometimes it is useful years later to have that section of stomach in place - it is even possible to reverse the gastric bypass later if necessary, although reversal is never part of the plan at the outset.

Now, in answer to your actual question, I'm happy to report that the chance of complications or any problems from that lower bypassed section of stomach is very close to zero. The chance of a cancer seems to be lower than the chance for the rest of the population (people who never had surgery), probably because that stomach is no longer being exposed to the toxins in the usual food that we eat. The chance of ulcers is very low as well.

I hope this helps to put your mind at ease - best of luck!

Dr JP