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Gastric Electrical Stimulation Procedure
What to Expect: Gastric Electrical Stimulation
If gastric electrical stimulation is right for you, here is what to expect:
- We give you general anesthesia, meaning you are asleep and not able to feel any sensation during your procedure.
- Surgeons start by making small incisions above your belly button.
- We fill your abdomen with carbon dioxide gas, which makes it easier for us to move surgical instruments around and gives us a clear view of the surgical area.
- We place thin tubes in your incisions to access your stomach.
- A video camera and specialized instruments attached to the tubes allow us to carry out your procedure.
- We surgically implant the Entrerra® device (neurostimulator) into the right side of your abdomen.
- We then implant two insulated wires (leads) into the muscle wall of your stomach.
- We route the leads under your skin (percutaneously) and connect them to the neurostimulator.
- Your surgeon turns on the device and the wires start transmitting low-energy electrical pulses to your stomach.
- Using a hand-held programmer, we customize the frequency and strength of the pulses to meet your needs.
- You can expect to go home one to five days after your procedure.
- You will need to come back for several follow-up appointments, so we can see if your symptoms are getting better and make adjustments to improve your results.
It is important to know:
- The Enterra® device's battery lasts between five and 7 years. When the battery runs out, we can help you get a new device.
- Gastric electrical stimulation is not a cure for gastroparesis. You may still need to follow a special diet and take medication to control your symptoms.
At the forefront of clinical research for gastrointestinal motility disorders, our doctors participate in research studying the effectiveness of gastric electrical stimulation therapy. This work allows us to know which individuals are most likely to benefit and when implanting the device using a laparoscopic approach is most appropriate.
