Gastric Stimulator Placement Specialist

What is a gastric stimulator?

A gastric stimulator is an electrical device that sends low-level currents into the smooth muscles of the lower part of your stomach. These mild impulses cause the muscles to contract, which in turn speeds the process of digestion and helps your stomach work more efficiently.

Your gastric stimulator is attached to your stomach by two leads. The battery lasts for about 10 years, at which time it can be replaced. Your surgeon at Lakeland Surgical Clinic, PLLC, adjusts your gastric stimulator settings depending on the severity of your stomach muscle dysfunction.

How does gastric stimulator placement work?

Surgery to place a gastric stimulator is a minimally invasive, laparoscopic procedure. Using a series of small incisions instead of one large one, your surgeon can access your stomach to attach the stimulator.

To get a clear view of your stomach despite the small incisions, your surgeon uses a laparoscope. The laparoscope is a long, thin tube with a high-resolution camera and bright light on the end. The camera projects a real-time image onto a nearby monitor that your surgeon uses to guide their actions with small tools through the other small incisions.

Your surgeon implants the device deep within the tissues and muscles of your abdomen. Only the two leads attach to the stomach itself. The surgery takes 1-3 hours, and a general anesthetic keeps you unconscious and comfortable throughout the surgery.

When should I consider gastric stimulator placement?

Gastric stimulators treat gastroparesis, partial paralysis of the stomach muscles. Usually, the muscles in your stomach help you digest food and keep it moving along your digestive tract. If these muscles don’t work as they should, digestive problems will arise. The resulting symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Acid reflux
• Bloating
• Feeling full early in your meal
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss

Gastroparesis is a common complication of diabetes. It can also be caused by long-term acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). You must keep your physician up-to-date on your symptoms and digestive problems to avoid the complications of gastroparesis, like malnutrition, dehydration, and stomach blockages.

Gastroparesis can cause several stomach symptoms and complications, but gastric stimulator placement surgery is often the first step in successfully treating the condition. To find out if you’re a candidate for gastric stimulator placement, call Lakeland Surgical Clinic, PLLC, today or book a consultation online at your convenience.