Re: if a person had their stomach removed as a weight control procedure would t

ALoha, Kim,
  
     I hope you won't mind if I rewrite your question just a bit, before I 
answer it...and I'll explain why, first.

     If a person has her/his stomach totally removed, it would be only for 
VERY serious, acutely life-threatening reasons (like a large part of the  
stomach being involved in stomach cancer)...rarely done, I think.  
Certainly not for weight control reasons.  In any event, total removal of 
the stomach would dictate very serious life-long treatment.  The person 
would probably have to be fed for the rest of his/her life with 
intravenous solutions, not by food through the mouth, because the stomach 
is so important for digestion of particular types of food, such as protein 
(hydrochloric acid and a protease begin the break-down of protein 
molecules).  In addition, the mechanical/muscular churning action of the 
stomach helps break apart food particles for further digestion in the 
intestine.

     OK, to my rewriting of your question:  What if a person had PART OF 
the stomach removed (or part stapled shut)for weight control?  Usually the 
part that is stapled off is part of the upper stomach to make a pouch 
smaller than would be there with the whole stomach.  The stapled-off 
portion is left in the body. This is according to Smolin/Grosvenor in 4th 
edition of their book (Nutrition:  
Science and Applications), which we use in the introductory nutrition 
course that I coordinate here at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa. 

     That makes it more difficult for the person to eat large meals, 
because he/she either stops or finds that it causes one to throw up, 
spontaneously, because of overeating. However, the staples can be 'popped' 
if the person insists in overeating...and that (the overeating) can cause 
serious, even life-threatening, problems.  People can lose a significant 
amount of weight, usually in about 18-24 months, but some weight gain may 
occur after 2-5 years.  According to Smolin/Grosvenor, nutrient 
deficiencies of vitamin B-12, folate, and iron are a problem.  For 
example, a secretion from the stomach (called 'intrinsic factor') is 
necessary for vitamin B-12 to be properly absorbed down in the small 
intesting.  I'm guessing that the problems with folate and iron are simply 
due to the inability to eat enough foods, especially ones rich in folate 
(vegetables/fruits...they are 'bulky' and fill a person up quickly).  
Also, the hydrochloric acid from the stomach helps in the modification of 
iron in food to a more absorbable form...if there isn't enough, the iron 
can't be as well absorbed in the small intestine.

     My practical advice as a nutrition professional (Ph.D.) is that this 
type of surgical procedure is invasive and dangerous...and should never be 
considered unless one's life is at risk because of extreme obesity and 
there has been ample consultation with both a medical doctor and a 
dietitian/nutritionist.  Also, to be successful, Smolin/Grosvenor rightly 
recommend that the surgery must be accompanied by behavior modification, 
diet programs, and exercise.