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Almost all of your stomach has been surgically removed.

The stomach is located in the upper abdomen. The stomach has a curved shape, creating a big curve and a small notch. The stomach is made up of different sections. Food reaches the entrance to the stomach through the gullet (oesophagus). The food is then transported into the body of the stomach. The fundus of the stomach is located at the top of the stomach. Air often collects there. There is a small extension further down in the stomach. This is the section in front of the end of the stomach or pyloric orifice. There is a sphincter muscle, the pylorus, at the end of the stomach. The pylorus transports the food in portions into the small intestine.

The operation removed your pylorus and most of the body of your stomach. A small section of the beginning of your small intestine was also removed. A section of your small intestine lower down was also removed. This piece of intestine was then stitched between the remains of your stomach and the open upper end of your small intestine. So now, post-surgery, food passes through your stomach and the piece of intestine that has been stitched in to your small intestine. The aim of the additional piece of intestine is to prevent digestive juices from your liver or your pancreas from flowing back into your oesophagus.

The operation also involved removing all of the lymph nodes around your stomach and some of those around other organs in your abdomen. The lymph nodes are small bean-shaped objects. They are found throughout the body. Lymph nodes filter the tissue fluid. They are part of the defense system.