Gastroparesis in Brisbane
Diagnosis and management of gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying) by Dr Goutham Sivasuthan, with advanced investigation and surgical options when conservative care is not enough, across Brisbane, Redland, Moreton Bay and Logan.
Understanding gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is a stomach motility disorder in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents into the small intestine — without any physical blockage. Food lingers longer than it should, causing nausea, vomiting, bloating, early fullness and unpredictable digestion.
These symptoms can significantly affect nutrition, blood-sugar control and quality of life. Many patients are first assessed by their GP or gastroenterologist; for persistent or severe cases, referral to an experienced general surgeon such as Dr Goutham ensures access to advanced investigation and, when needed, surgical treatment tailored to improve gastric emptying.
How the stomach normally works
The stomach grinds food and mixes it with digestive juices before releasing it gradually into the small intestine, regulated by coordinated muscle contractions and nerve signals — especially the vagus nerve. In gastroparesis, the stomach-wall muscles or the nerves that control them do not work properly, slowing or even halting emptying.
Common symptoms of gastroparesis
- Nausea, often worse after meals
- Vomiting, sometimes hours after eating (occasionally undigested food)
- Early satiety — feeling full after only a few bites
- Bloating and abdominal distension
- Upper-abdominal pain or discomfort
- Fluctuating blood-sugar levels in people with diabetes
- Unintentional weight loss and, in chronic cases, dehydration or malnutrition
Causes and risk factors
- Diabetes — the most common cause, from nerve damage due to long-term high blood sugar.
- Post-surgical — after certain abdominal or oesophageal operations affecting the vagus nerve.
- Viral infections — some cases follow a viral illness.
- Autoimmune disease — such as scleroderma.
- Neurological disorders — Parkinson disease and multiple sclerosis.
- Medication-related — opioids and some antidepressants slow gut motility.
- Idiopathic — no clear cause is found in a proportion of patients.
Diagnosis — the investigation pathway
Gastroparesis can mimic other digestive disorders, so accurate diagnosis is essential:
- History & examination — symptoms, onset, diet, medications and prior medical or surgical history.
- Blood tests — electrolytes, diabetes control (HbA1c) and nutritional status.
- Gastroscopy — to rule out ulcers, inflammation or a physical blockage. Learn about gastroscopy →
- Gastric-emptying study — scintigraphy is the gold-standard test, tracking how quickly a small, harmless meal leaves the stomach over several hours.
Treatment options in Brisbane
Treatment is highly individualised and usually begins with diet and medication, with surgery reserved for cases that do not respond:
Diet & lifestyle
Small frequent meals, lower-fat and lower-fibre options, pureed or liquid meals in severe cases, and avoiding carbonated drinks and alcohol — often with dietitian support.
Medication
Prokinetics (such as metoclopramide or domperidone) to stimulate contractions, antiemetics for nausea, and short-term erythromycin in some cases.
Pyloroplasty
A procedure to widen the pylorus (stomach outlet) so food passes more easily, considered when conservative measures fail.
Feeding support
For severe nutritional compromise, a jejunostomy feeding tube allows direct small-intestine feeding.
Dr Goutham works closely with gastroenterologists and dietitians to determine the best timing and type of intervention.
Eating with gastroparesis
Diet is the cornerstone of managing gastroparesis. Helpful strategies include eating smaller meals more often, chewing thoroughly, choosing lower-fat and lower-fibre foods that empty more easily, blending or pureeing meals when symptoms flare, staying upright after eating, and keeping well hydrated between meals. A dietitian can build a plan that maintains nutrition while easing symptoms — particularly important for people with diabetes, who may need to adjust their medication timing.
Living well with gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is usually a long-term condition, but most people manage it well with the right support. Keeping a food-and-symptom diary, following a structured eating schedule, attending regular review with a multidisciplinary team (surgeon, gastroenterologist and dietitian), and fine-tuning diabetic medications to match altered digestion all help keep symptoms under control.
Expertise in stomach motility disorders
- ✓Motility-disorder expertise — comprehensive investigation and management.
- ✓Coordinated care — with gastroenterology and dietetics.
- ✓Advanced techniques — including pyloroplasty and minimally invasive approaches.
- ✓Clear communication — patient-focused, tailored plans.
- ✓Care close to home — Brisbane, Redland, Moreton Bay and Logan.
Gastroparesis FAQs
What is the main test for gastroparesis?+
A gastric-emptying study (scintigraphy) is the gold standard — you eat a small, harmless meal and scans track how quickly it leaves the stomach over several hours.
Is gastroparesis always treated with surgery?+
No. Most patients are managed with diet, lifestyle changes and medication. Surgery such as pyloroplasty is reserved for cases that do not respond to conservative care.
Why does diabetes cause gastroparesis?+
Long-term high blood sugar can damage the nerves — particularly the vagus nerve — that control stomach emptying, slowing the passage of food.
What foods should I avoid?+
High-fat and high-fibre foods empty slowly and can worsen symptoms. Smaller, lower-fat, lower-fibre meals — sometimes blended — are usually better tolerated. A dietitian can personalise this.
Can gastroparesis be cured?+
Some cases (for example after a viral illness) improve over time, while others are long-term. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms, maintain nutrition and protect quality of life.
How is gastroparesis different from reflux or dyspepsia?+
Reflux and functional dyspepsia can cause similar symptoms, but gastroparesis specifically involves delayed stomach emptying confirmed on a gastric-emptying study. Careful assessment tells them apart.
Will I need a feeding tube?+
Only a small minority of patients with severe, treatment-resistant disease need feeding support. Most are managed with diet and medication.
Who else will be involved in my care?+
Gastroparesis is best managed by a team — typically your GP, Dr Goutham, a gastroenterologist and a dietitian — working together.
Caring for South-East Queensland
Dr Goutham consults and operates across Brisbane, Redland, Moreton Bay and Logan — care close to home, wherever you are in South-East Queensland.
Trusted resources
Last medically reviewed by Dr Goutham Sivasuthan, specialist surgeon — June 2026.
Struggling with nausea and early fullness?
Book an assessment with Dr Goutham for advanced investigation and a tailored gastroparesis treatment plan.