Owner and Founder of BMI Surgical Institute, Dr. Aryaie indeed, is one of the very few advanced endoscopic surgeons in the entire United States who preform G-POEM aka POP procedure for gastroparesis.
Gastroparesis Explained:
Gastroparesis is a condition that causes nausea and vomiting. It can also make you feel full too soon after you start eating.
It happens because the stomach takes too long to empty and does not move food along through your body fast enough. Gastroparesis is also called “delayed gastric emptying.” (“Gastric” means “having to do with the stomach.”)
Gastroparesis is a common problem among people with diabetes. It also can happen to people who have had food poisoning (gastroenteritis).
But it can sometimes happen to people who have not been sick and who do not have diabetes.
When gastroparesis starts after someone has had food poisoning, it often gets better in a few days to weeks.
Sometimes it lasts longer or never goes away. In people with diabetes, it usually does not go away, but there are things that can make it better.
What are the symptoms of gastroparesis?
Symptoms of Gastroparesis Include:
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Belly pain
- Feeling full too soon after you start eating
- Bloating (feeling as though your stomach is full of air)
- Weight loss
Is there a test for gastroparesis?
Yes there is. Yes. If your doctor or nurse suspects you have gastroparesis, he or she might do 1 or more of these tests:
1. Endoscopy
2. Barium follow through, CT scan, or MRI
3. Gastric emptying scintigraphy
Will Changing My Diet Help With Gastroparesis?
Yes indeed!
Some patients will feel better if they:
- Eat 4 to 5 small meals during the day instead of 2 or 3 big ones.
- Put food through the blender before eating it.
- Cut down on foods that have a lot of fat, such as cheese and fried foods.
- Cut down on foods that have a lot of “insoluble” fiber, such as some fruits, vegetables, and beans.
- Avoid fizzy drinks, like soda, as they can cause more bloating and gas
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
If you have diabetes, it’s also very important to keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible.
*See your doctor or nurse if you have ongoing nausea or vomiting, belly pain, trouble eating, or weight loss.
Gastroparesis Treatment
Treatments to help you get the food and fluids you need – This might include taking liquid food supplements or – in rare cases – being fed through a tube.
 AMedicines that make the stomach empty faster AND/Or Medicines that help prevent nausea
Electrical stimulation of the stomach – In very rare cases and for certain causes of gastroparesis, doctors use electrical stimulation to make the stomach empty.
Emptying the stomach with a tube – To do this, doctors can put a tube down your throat or directly into your stomach through your skin.
Latest minimally invasive approach which has shown great results to improve gastric emptying is Gastric Per Oral Endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) aka Per Oral Endoscopic Pyloromyotomy (POP) procedure.
This procedure is incisionless and is all done endoscopic.
With G-POEM aka POP Procedure your doctor cuts the pylorus muscle of stomach to improve emptying food into small bowel.
Studies showed 50% to 70% of patients will have normalization of their gastric emptying and 80% will have improvement of their symptoms.