Can a person live without a small intestine?

If you’ve stumbled upon this article, you must be wondering what would happen if your small intestine failed or had to be removed. While it’s not exactly something we like to think about, sometimes medical emergencies occur that can result in serious interventions such as intestinal surgery.

But can you really live without your small intestine?

What is the Small Intestine and what does it do?

Before diving into whether someone can survive without their small intestines, let’s first gain an understanding of its function.

The small intestine is part of the digestive system and is located between the stomach and large intestines. It plays a critical role in breaking down food so that key nutrients, minerals, and vitamins are properly absorbed by the body.

In fact, roughly 90% of nutrient absorption occurs within the small intestine with help from various enzymes made within both itself and other organs.

This process allows our bodies to maintain proper energy levels while supporting vital organs including muscles & tissues (we need vitamins for healthy skin too ya know).

The short answer – Yes (but mostly no)

Alright alright…I know why y’all came here. Simply put:

Without your entire small intestines—it would be incredibly likely for malnutrition-related diseases to take over resulting in severe illness leading up-to—death.1

While there have been cases where partial removal could allow for successful adaptation via diet extensions/supplements—or surgically bringing out portions through ostomy liquid formulas; living entirely sans-such-organ opens-up-huge-pandora-boxes-mixed-with-stomach-troubles-and-repetitive-water-drinking to sustain some semblance-of-standard-life

How much “is” needed?

So how much needs left behind inside one’s abdomen? Statistics show on average around 80% 2, which gives at-least-some hope!

According to health experts, one-half of the small intestine can be removed if necessary without negatively impacting absorption too severely. What does this mean?

Short answer: with proper medical attention and diet changes it is possible for people sub-part-of-the-whole to-live—though its certainly not a recommended lifestyle choice!

The Short Bowel Syndrome

When an individual loses more than half of their small intestine, medical professionals almost always diagnose them with short bowel syndrome amongst other incapacities.

This diagnosis occurs when someone’s digestive organs are unable to properly absorb adequate nutrients from standard consumption.

It’s instances such as these that remind us how utterly miraculous our bodies are in terms of constructing internal systems which allow us to live “normally” whilst being incapable of doing so at times as well…

Coping without a Small Intestine

So now you’re probably wondering what options are available for those dealing with short bowel syndrome or having lost their entire small intestinal tract?

While living entirely sans your small intestines isn’t compatible with life (as we know it), there has been some success via experimental approaches:

Parenteral Nutrition

This technique bypasses the gut using supplementary tubes providing nutritious elements directly into veins while largely ignoring all things digestion 3. Basically—feeding outside-man…doctor-style. Does require like-all-medical-junk-frequent-monitoring though slight-sarcasm

Intestinal Transplants / Grafts

Less common but still viable—one may receive part-or-a-new-intestinal-transplant—which involves placing-in healthy new pieces in replace-of-cancerous/ravaged sectiousness. This however comes packed-with-its-own-share-of-risks-and-complications!4

Adaptation through Diet Changes

Admittedly, not all types fit this mold—and admittedly I’m obviously somewhat biased given conducting interviews suggests making-diet-changes-is—a-smarter-healthier-choice

To adapt after a considerable piece of the small intestine has been surgically removed, it’s vital to work with a team that includes experts in nutrition and digestive health.

One potential option is switching to liquid diets which allows for your body to absorb nutrients more easily. When bloating or gas become problems, one could experiment-with more frequent weighted meals throughout-the-day- feeding-smaller-portions-more-often—rather than loading-up in less-frequent large sittings.5

Conclusion

So can you live without your small intestines? Well technically yes but practically , nope! Except when its only partial-missing (less than 50%). Even then,you’ll likely need some form of modification either via diet changes or medical interventions due-to-short-bowel-syndrome related functionalities. I hope this article presented enough insights into—at-least—the-potential-consequences-of-such-major-health-risks-called-for critical thinking before heading towards their direction!
Stay healthy folks!


  1. “What happens if you lose your small intestine?” Medical News Today. 

  2. “How much of my small intestine can be removed?” Mayo Clinic. 

  3. “Parenteral Nutrition.” Johns Hopkins Medicine. 

  4. “Intestinal Transplant.” Cedars Sinai Organs Transplants Program 

  5. “Living Without a Small Intestine: A Patient Perspective” New Life Outlook. 

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