Final answer:
Mary could be at risk for protein malnutrition due to the reduced stomach size affecting protein digestion and absorption, leading to hypoalbuminemia and related complications like edema.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mary had most of her stomach removed to help with obesity, which could lead to several health risks. One of the risks she may encounter is protein malnutrition. The stomach plays a vital role in digestion, especially for proteins, as it produces the enzyme pepsin and the acid required for the initial breakdown of proteins. With a reduced stomach size, Mary may not produce enough of these substances, leading to inadequate protein digestion and absorption.
This can, in turn, lead to a condition called hypoalbuminemia, where there is a low level of albumin in the blood due to poor protein intake or malabsorption. Albumin is essential for maintaining oncotic pressure in the blood vessels, and a deficiency can lead to edema and fluid imbalance. Furthermore, protein is crucial for healing and immune system functions, so deficiency can compromise wound healing and increase susceptibility to infections.
There are other potential complications as a result of the surgical procedure, such as anemia or heart failure. However, these are less directly related to the subtotal gastrectomy than protein malnutrition. The latter is the most likely risk Mary faces because of her surgery's effects on protein digestion and absorption.