Gastroparesis

Did You Know?

Our surgeons are leading experts on the treatment of Gastroparesis in Fort Myers, Florida. As a Founding Member, watch Dr. Siegal host a webinar from the American Foregut Society discussing treatment options for gastroparesis with national experts. Additionally, Dr. Denk has the longest experience of gastroparesis management, including gastric stimulator, in the Fort Myers, Florida area.

What Is Gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis, or delayed gastric emptying, is a syndrome of slow stomach digestion. A normal healthy stomach uses muscular contractions to digest and move food down the GI tract. When these muscles work poorly, patients experience symptoms. This condition affects about 10 in 100,000 men and 40 in 100,000 women.

What Are the Symptoms?

Vomiting,
Early satiety,
Belching,
Bloating, and/or
Upper abdominal pain.

Over the course of worsening symptoms, patients may lose weight and have poor nutrition.

What Causes Gastroparesis?

Causes of gastroparesis include:

diabetes,
post surgical complications, or
unknown causes.

How Is Gastroparesis Diagnosed?

Diagnosis of gastroparesis is commonly done with a Gastric Emptying Study (GES).

What Are Treatment Options?

It is important to seek professional help from a provider experienced with managing this rare condition. Treatment options range from diet changes and medical therapy to non-invasive options (endoscopic pyloromyotomy, POEM) and various surgical procedures (pyloromyotomy, gastric stimulator, partial gastrectomy).

GI Surgical Specialists is Southwest Florida’s premier center for gastroparesis care, offering a patient-centered approach to this challenging problem with the entire toolbox of treatment options.