expert surgical care for stomach & Digestive health

The stomach plays a vital role in digestion, acting as a muscular reservoir that breaks down food both mechanically and chemically. Its strong muscular walls churn food while gastric acid and digestive enzymes begin the breakdown of proteins. The stomach also produces intrinsic factor, essential for vitamin B12 absorption, which can be disrupted by chronic acid suppression such as in the medical treatment of reflux and heartburn.

A specialized valve, the pyloric sphincter, regulates the controlled release of partially digested food (chyme) into the small intestine for further digestion and nutrient absorption. Proper stomach function relies on a delicate balance of acid production, motility, and protective mechanisms to prevent damage from its own acidic environment. Disruptions in this balance can lead to issues like reflux, ulcers, or delayed gastric emptying.

Symptoms of gastric (stomach) problems can be extremely vague and persistent. Coupled with the fact that the diagnosis of functional stomach problems is difficulty, patients can go years with symptoms and not have a diagnosis, which can often lead to treatments and return to a better quality of life.

Gastroparesis is a condition where the stomach’s ability to empty properly is slowed down due to weakened muscle function and nervous system communication with the stomach. Instead of efficiently pushing food into the small intestine, the stomach retains contents for an extended period, leading to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, early fullness, and abdominal discomfort. Common causes include diabetes, nerve damage, certain medications, and post-surgical complications, though in some cases, the cause remains unknown (idiopathic gastroparesis). Managing gastroparesis often involves dietary modifications, medications to stimulate stomach motility, and, in severe cases, surgery to improve gastric emptying. An individualized treatment approach is essential to restore digestive function and improve quality of life. Dr. Le is the first surgeon in Northern Colorado to offer non-anatomically altering surgical treatment in the form of gastric neurostimulation for properly selected patients.

Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) occurs when the passage of food from the stomach to the small intestine is blocked or severely narrowed, often due to pyloric stenosis or a peptic stricture. Pyloric stenosis typically results from thickening of the pyloric muscle, which can be congenital (in infants) or acquired due to chronic inflammation. Peptic strictures develop as a result of long-term acid exposure, leading to scarring and narrowing of the pylorus or duodenum, often seen in untreated or severe peptic ulcer disease. Symptoms include persistent nausea, vomiting of undigested food, early satiety, bloating, and weight loss. Treatment depends on severity and may involve endoscopic dilation, medications to reduce acid production, or surgical intervention in severe cases to restore normal gastric emptying and relieve obstruction.

Dumping syndrome occurs when food moves too quickly from the stomach into the small intestine, often after surgery that alters the stomach’s structure, such as gastric bypass, fundoplication, or gastric resection. This rapid emptying can cause early symptoms like nausea, cramping, diarrhea, dizziness, and rapid heartbeat shortly after eating. In late dumping, occurring 1-3 hours post-meal, a surge of insulin in response to the rapid sugar absorption can lead to low blood sugar (reactive hypoglycemia), causing weakness, sweating, and confusion. Managing dumping syndrome involves dietary modifications, such as eating smaller, more frequent meals, reducing simple sugars, and increasing protein and fiber intake. In severe cases, medications or surgical adjustments may be necessary to slow gastric emptying and improve symptoms.