We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a Gastroenterostomy?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Feb 12, 2024

A gastroenterostomy connects the base of the stomach to the middle of the small intestine, known as the jejunum, bypassing the duodenum in the upper portion of the small intestine. There are a number of medical indications for this surgery, which was historically used in the treatment of several gastrointestinal disorders, including severe ulcers. It is also used in some forms of bariatric surgery to promote weight loss in patients who cannot control their weight through more conservative means. This procedure can be performed in a number of ways, depending on the preferences of the surgeon and why it is being performed.

In a simple gastroenterostomy, the stomach is left intact when the connection to the duodenum is severed and the surgeon makes an anastamosis, a new connection, with the jejunum. The stomach will empty directly into the middle of the small intestine, bypassing the duodenum altogether. Other procedures involve removing part of the stomach as well, either because it is necessary for weight loss or as a result of damage to the stomach tissue. Surgeons make the remainder of the stomach into a small pouch which can be attached to the jejunum.

One reason to need a gastroenterostomy is severe damage to the duodenum. Patients may have trouble with gastric emptying, digestion, and recurrent stomach pain as a result of disease in this area of the bowel. A bypass can be used to skip this area of damaged tissue and restore function to the patient’s digestive tract. Before better methods of controlling ulcers, gastroenterostomy was sometimes considered as a treatment to move past damaged bowel.

In bariatric surgery, skipping the duodenum changes the way the patient metabolizes food and can promote weight loss, especially when it is combined with a partial gastrectomy to shrink the stomach. The patient will eat less food and process it differently, losing weight as a result of these changes. This may be irreversible, depending on the type of surgery performed, and patients need to exercise care during recovery. Patients receive specific recommendations on what to eat and what kinds of supplements to take to promote overall health.

Recovery time from a gastroenterostomy can vary, depending on the specifics of the procedure. Patients may need to start by drinking clear fluids, slowly transitioning to small amounts of soft solids before resuming a more normal diet. They can experience cramping and increased food sensitivity after the procedure, which may result in permanent dietary changes. It can help to discuss recovery and what to expect with a surgeon before the procedure so patients are prepared for what will happen after surgery.

WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.