Question:
Will our unused bottom portion of stomach and the unused intestine stay healthy?

I have been concerned about the unused bottom portion of our stapled off stomach and the dangling top of our unused intestine. Will these no longer useful body parts still stay healthy and cause no problems later on? It may sound silly but I keep wondering what will happen to them. Thanks so much. Sandy Burns Pre-Op Aug 1 surgery.    — Sandy B. (posted on June 16, 2002)

June 16, 2002
Great question! Hope somebody answers. This is one that I forgot to ask at my first consult.
   — crawford1213

June 16, 2002
DITTO to what Susan said. Same thing my surgeon said. :0)
   — Sassy M.

June 16, 2002
I am lap-rny. My surgeon has assured me that the unused portion of our stomach still receives blood flow and is still a working part of our body. The stomach continues to produce gastric acid which is used to digest our food later down in our intestines. Our surgeons would not leave anything in us that would shrivel up and die for fear of infection. Rest assured you're gonna be fine. :)
   — juliehedges

June 16, 2002
I`m a Endoscopy RN the nurse you see for the procedure EGD, I`ve seen a stomach and the bypassed small intestine of 1988 RNY patient and can tell you that it looks normal healthy and still produces bile just like anybody else, it is not always possible for doc to up bypassed area but sometimes we can.I`m also having surgery.
   — Gayle C.

June 16, 2002
...what they said, and there is no dangling top of intestine. It is still connected, directing the gastric juices still produced in the unused portion of the stomach. And it still all comes out the same place.
   — Cheri M.