Can a person live without a stomach? Not only can people live without a stomach, many people after total gastrectomy surgery are thriving without a stomach.
Despite the success many people have living without a stomach, asking whether someone can live without a stomach is a very common question. Frankly, it’s a great question. Most people probably assume the stomach is a vital organ. Plus, many people have a very strong emotional connection to food and, therefore, wonder what it would be like to live without the organ they most closely associate with food and eating.
Honestly, I never even thought to ask myself the question until after I heard of people living without a stomach. Living without a stomach, however, sounds like the bare minimum to me. I have been thrilled to see many examples of stomachless individuals not only living, but living life to the fullest.
The CDH1 community is very informed and members are willing to help one another. Join the Facebook group for CDH1 mutation carriers. Members ask and answer questions about all things related to CDH1. Plus, you can browse or search the conversation history to read about issues already discussed. It is a really helpful resource.
You can also search YouTube for CDH1 or total gastrectomy. You will find videos about the science and also patients telling their stories. Similarly, on Instagram, search by #cdh1 , #nostomach, #totalgastrectomy, and similar terms. You will find CDH1 mutation carriers posting about their lives.
Finally, to help inspire you, I have assorted a small collection of articles and videos about CDH1 mutation carriers thriving after total gastrectomy. Check out below. They are doing really, really well and inspiring others in the process!
Inspiring examples below of people living without a stomach!
Aaron Rosenberg
Laura Willis
MyJournalCourier: “Woman lives life without a stomach” (February 2018)
David Fogel
Dylan Davison
Fox News, “South Carolina dad competing in Ironman a year after having stomach removed” (April 2019)
Memorial Sloan Kettering: “I Had My Stomach Removed and Then Did an Ironman: Dylan’s Story”
Jemma Caprioli
Chesney Monroe Berzins
CBS DFW: “Mrs. Texas Chesney Monroe Berzins Shares Journey Since Stomach Removal” (March 2019)
Chron: “Woman survives rare stomach cancer, crowned Mrs. Texas” (February 2019)
Stan Walker
Who: “EXCLUSIVE: Stan Walker opens up about his cancer battle” (May 2018)
Can a person live without a stomach? Click here to learn more about life after total gastrectomy.
Jim Yao
Looking for ways to stay hydrated? Read this article.
