Enterra Therapy for Gastroparesis

What Is Gastroparesis?

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When the Stomach Empties Too Slowly

Gastroparesis is a medical condition that causes food to digest more slowly than normal. In a healthy digestive system, strong muscular contractions move food through the stomach and digestive tract. With gastroparesis, the stomach muscles work poorly or not at all — preventing the stomach from emptying properly. Causes include type 1 and type 2 diabetes, postsurgical complications, and other factors, but in many cases the cause is never identified (idiopathic gastroparesis).

More Than Missed Meals

Chronic nausea, vomiting, and discomfort can lead to low blood sugar, malnutrition, and lasting damage to daily life.

Often Poorly Controlled

In a survey of 1,423 gastroparesis patients, only 4% were satisfied with the treatment options available to them.⁴

An Advanced Option Exists

When diet and medication aren't enough, gastric electrical stimulation with Enterra Therapy may be worth discussing with your surgeon.

Understanding the Impact

Why it happens, who it affects, and why the toll is more than physical

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Common Causes

Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
Complications following surgery
Other underlying conditions
Idiopathic — no identifiable cause

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The Real Cost

Gastroparesis patients experience higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, and their chronic nausea and vomiting negatively correlate with physical and mental health quality-of-life scores.^1,2,3

How Gastroparesis Is Treated

First-line therapies help many patients, but symptoms often persist

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Diet Modification

Increasing liquid intake, restricting fats and plant fiber, and eating smaller, more frequent meals to maintain nutrition and minimize symptoms.

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Medication

Prokinetic drugs to improve the rate of stomach emptying, and antiemetic drugs to help control nausea and vomiting.

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Enteral Nutrition

For temporary or more severe symptoms, liquid nutrition delivered directly to the stomach through a feeding tube.

Despite these first-line therapies, chronic nausea and vomiting from gastroparesis often persist. If you have gastroparesis of diabetic or idiopathic origin and diet changes and medications haven't worked, gastric electrical stimulation with Enterra Therapy may be an option to discuss with your surgeon.

A New Approach: Enterra Therapy

The first and only device designed specifically to relieve gastroparesis nausea and vomiting

15,000+People have received Enterra Therapy

5Randomized controlled trials over 20+ years of research

2000FDA Humanitarian Device Exemption approval

How It Works

The Enterra System uses gastric electrical stimulation (GES) — a mild, targeted therapy delivered through a small implanted device — to gently stimulate the muscles of the stomach.

Unlike other surgical treatment options, Enterra Therapy is implantable, customizable, and reversible. Your doctor can adjust your stimulation level non-invasively, without surgery, and can turn the system off or remove it if Enterra Therapy isn't right for you.

The Enterra System

Once implanted, the neurostimulator sends mild electrical pulses through the leads to gently stimulate the smooth muscles of the lower stomach — pulses designed to relieve the chronic nausea and vomiting of gastroparesis.

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Neurostimulator

A small device implanted just beneath the skin, usually in the lower abdominal region.

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Leads (Wires)

Two thin wires that connect the neurostimulator to the muscles of the stomach.

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Clinician Programmer

A handheld, external device your doctor uses to adjust your stimulation, non-invasively, in office.

Key Benefits

🩹Minimally invasive placement

🔄Fully reversible therapy

🎚️Customizable, non-invasive adjustments

⏱️Typical implant procedure: 1–2 hours

🔬Backed by 5 randomized controlled trials

How Enterra Is Implanted

Implanting the Enterra System typically takes 1–2 hours under general anesthesia. Your surgeon will choose the approach based on your medical needs and personal preference:

Laparotomy (open approach) — performed through a small abdominal incision, or laparoscopy — special surgical instruments inserted through small incisions.

What to Expect

Click each step to learn more about the process

Consultation & Candidacy

Meet with Dr. Sasse to review your gastroparesis history, prior treatments, and determine whether Enterra Therapy may be right for you.

Comprehensive symptom history and prior treatment review
Confirmation of diabetic or idiopathic gastroparesis diagnosis
Discussion of the probable risks and benefits of the device
Insurance verification and pre-authorization support

Implant Procedure

The Enterra System is implanted under general anesthesia using a minimally invasive laparoscopic or open (laparotomy) technique, based on your needs.

Typically takes 1–2 hours under general anesthesia
Neurostimulator placed just beneath the skin, usually in the lower abdomen
Leads placed and connected to the stomach muscle
Performed at an accredited surgical facility

Recovery

Most people are able to go home within 1–2 days of the procedure, while some are even able to go home the same day.

Short hospital stay with post-op monitoring
Guidance on activity, incision care, and diet during healing
Follow-up visit scheduled before you're discharged

Programming & Ongoing Care

After your Enterra System is placed, your doctor uses an external clinician programmer to customize the level of stimulation that's right for you — non-invasively, in the office or hospital.

Non-invasive programming, no surgery required to adjust
Special considerations reviewed if you have another implanted device
Ongoing monitoring and adjustments as needed
Results vary; often used alongside diet and medication for lasting relief

Hear From Enterra Therapy Patients

Real stories from people who have received Enterra Therapy nationwide

Mary's Story

“Enterra Therapy has given us hope — hope and the ability to fulfill the dreams that we wanted before I was diagnosed with gastroparesis.”

Mary is a mother of two and grandmother of one who loves spending time outdoors with her family. Hear how Enterra Therapy helped give Mary and her family hope again.

Cindy's Story

“Without Enterra Therapy, I don't know that I would be sitting here today.”

After researching alternative treatment options herself, Cindy received Enterra Therapy in 2020 and found herself able to spend time with family, travel, and go out to eat with friends again.

Geoff's Story

“Enterra Therapy helped me get my life back on track.”

Gastroparesis caused Geoff to lose his job and suffer constant vomiting and abdominal pain, until he was referred to a physician who implants the Enterra System.

Read Geoff's story →

These stories reflect the experiences of individual Enterra Therapy patients nationwide, shared by Enterra Medical, and are not Nevada Surgical patients. Individual results may vary.

Enterra Therapy FAQs

How large is the Enterra neurostimulator?

The Enterra II Neurostimulator (model 37800) is 2.4 in (60 mm) long, 2.2 in (55 mm) high, and 0.5 in (11.4 mm) thick, and weighs 1.6 oz (45 g).

Will it eliminate my nausea and vomiting?

Enterra Therapy has 5 randomized controlled trials completed over 20 years of clinical research. Among patients who experience relief, results vary — a combination of treatment options is often needed to maintain relief. Talk with your doctor about the clinical data.

Can you feel the stimulation?

Most people report they do not feel the stimulation. Contact your doctor if you notice any long-lasting pulsating or uncomfortable stimulation in your abdominal area.

Is Enterra Therapy reversible?

Yes. Unlike some surgical options, Enterra Therapy is customizable and, if it isn't right for you, your doctor can turn off or remove your system.

More FAQs at enterramedical.com

Is Enterra Therapy Right for You?

Enterra Therapy is intended to reduce symptoms of chronic, drug-resistant nausea and vomiting associated with gastroparesis caused by diabetes or unknown causes, in patients ages 18 to 70. Like any medical procedure, Enterra Therapy comes with risks, so it isn't the right choice for everyone.

You've been diagnosed with gastroparesis of diabetic or idiopathic origin
Your chronic nausea and vomiting has not responded to diet changes and medication
You are between the ages of 18 and 70
You're ready to discuss the probable risks and benefits with a surgeon

Take the Candidate Screener Schedule a Consultation

What Our Patients Say

Real experiences from people we've helped.

"I am literally the 1% of all complications, if it can go wrong it usually does with me! I have trusted my life with Dr. Sasse under the knife more times than I'd like to admit! He is compassionate and caring and he genuinely makes you feel as though he cares about you when you are at your most vulnerable. I have no doubt in my mind that he has saved my life in more ways than one. I am grateful that he listens to concerns and actually hears what the patient is saying to really figure out a good plan of action."

Katie

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"Dr. Sasse is the best surgeon. He has a kind bedside manner."

June Kelly

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"I've had an absolutely amazing experience with Dr. Sasse's office! Highly recommend!!!"

Cheyenne Bernardo

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"Dr. Sasse and his staff are wonderful, making you feel cared for during every step."

Lottie Erickson

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"Dr. Sasse is very professional and knowledgeable. He takes his time to explain the procedure and desired outcome of the surgery. His staff is top notch and polite. Great experience, I can't say enough about him or his staff."

Healthgrades Patient

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"Great staff, great care… extremely happy."

Google Patient

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"All the staff at Nevada Surgical along with Dr. Sasse were easy to talk to and ask questions. They know their business and know how to take care of you."

Google Patient

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"Great work by Dr. Sasse of Nevada Surgical. Thank you so much for your amazing surgical skills and expertise. He never gave me the runaround—just straightforward answers. Thank you, Dr. Sasse."

Google Patient

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Insurance & Coverage

Most major insurance plans and Medicare require prior authorization for Enterra Therapy since it is an FDA Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) device. Our team handles the pre-authorization process and works with the following plans, among others.