AIM: The aim of this study is to investigate whether organ preserving gastrectomy (OPG) would yield a greater ability to save more tissue and functions of the stomach and eventually provide better quality of postoperative life (QoPL) for patients with primary gastric gastroinstestinal stromal tumor (PG-GIST). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 23 consecutive patients with PG-GIST who underwent laparoscopic conventional surgery and OPG from June 2008 to December 2016 was performed. Gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI), the area of tumor-free tissue (TFT), body mass index, and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: Both first- and sixth-month GIQLI scores (mean = 105.4 ± 9.5 and 117.0 ± 11.1, respectively) were significantly higher than baseline scores (mean = 100.9 ± 10.2) of the study population (z = –3.32 and –3.86, p = 0.001 and 0.0001, respectively). GIQLI scores were inversely related to TFT area (r = –0.635, p = 0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed 0.130 decrease in GIQLI scores at 6 months each cm2 of removed TFT area. Conclusion: Laparoscopic OPG seems to be useful in terms of oncologic safety, minimizing the excessive resection of TFT and maximizing the gastric remnant, thereby improving the QoPL of the patients.