There's something about saying "they want to take out my stomach" that makes most of the people I say it to start to cry. They think, and I think, everyone thinks, "the stomach is what you eat with." The background thought in my head these days is "Holy shit. My stomach."
But I have a new mantra: "The stomach is just one part of the entire digestive system. It neither digests food nor absorbs nutrients. Its functions can be performed elsewise, and it's possible to live a normal life without it."
This is even true. It's like this:
The stomach:
1. Stores what you eat and releases it slowly to the intestines to be digested.
2. Mashes up what you eat so your intestines can go to work on a semi-liquid goop called "chyme."
3. Kills bacteria in what you eat.
4. Produces something called "intrinsic factor," which allows you to absorb the vitamin b12 that you ingest.
Without it, you:
1. Eat smaller meals throughout the day, rather than a few big meals.
2. Chew like hell, and avoid foods that your body has a hard time digesting.
3. Keep your fingers crossed, because you're SOL on this one, as far as I know.
4. Get monthly B12 shots.
Simple, really. But it's a mantra for a reason; I'll let you know how many times you have to say it before you believe it.
