In order to evaluate quality of life and functional results following surgery for gastric cancer we studied 89 patients with no evidence of disease at a minimum of 12 months postoperatively. Patients were treated with total gastrectomy and jejunal pouch reconstruction according to Hunt-Lawrence-Rodino (n = 59), distal gastric resection (n = 21) or proximal gastric resection (n = 9). No significant differences were found between total gastrectomy or distal gastric resection with respect to dumping or heartburn, while patients with proximal gastric resection suffered from both. The latter group of patients reported both reduced feelings of hunger and appetite, resulting in a reduced nutritional status. Similar differences were observed when patients were assessed for quality of life; feeling well, feeling ill and capacity to work were all reduced in patients with proximal gastric resection, and their scores were lower when scoring systems according to Visick, Karnofsky, Spitzer and Troidl were applied. Psychological-rating scales measuring complaints and distress confirmed the superiority of total gastrectomy with pouch reconstruction or distal gastrectomy compared to proximal gastric resection. We conclude that in terms of postoperative quality of life, distal gastric resection has no advantage over total gastrectomy with pouch reconstruction. Proximal gastric resection incurs bothersome sequelae and should, therefore, be avoided.