Gastroparesis treatment in Reno — and Enterra Therapy when medications are not enough
If you’ve been told your stomach doesn’t empty properly — or you’ve been dealing with nausea, vomiting, and fullness for months without a clear answer — you are in the right place.
What Gastroparesis Is
Gastroparesis means the stomach empties too slowly without a physical blockage. It is a real, physical condition — and one of the most frequently dismissed conditions in medicine. Food sits longer than it should. The result is nausea, vomiting, feeling full after only a few bites, bloating, and upper abdominal discomfort.
Most patients we see have been told at some point that their symptoms were anxiety, an eating disorder, or nothing at all. We take this seriously and have a defined process for working it up.
Common Causes
Diabetes — years of elevated blood sugar can damage nerves that control emptying.
Idiopathic — no cause found; largest group; some begin after a viral illness.
Medications — opioids, some antidepressants, anticholinergics, and GLP-1 medications can slow emptying.
After surgery or other conditions like Parkinson's or MS.
Symptoms
• Nausea, often constant
• Vomiting, sometimes of food eaten many hours earlier
• Feeling full after a few bites
• Bloating and upper abdominal discomfort
• Unintended weight loss
• Unpredictable blood sugars (diabetes)
• Poor appetite and food avoidance
Enterra Therapy is a Humanitarian Device; effectiveness has not been demonstrated. It does not cure gastroparesis and does not reliably speed emptying.
Watch: Understanding Gastroparesis & Enterra
Click any video to play. From the @SasseSurgical channel.
Gastroparesis: What It Is and How It’s Diagnosed
Causes, symptoms, and the 4-hour gastric emptying study explained.
Enterra Therapy: What It Is and Who Qualifies
HDE designation, candidacy criteria, and honest expectations.
Life with Enterra: Recovery and Results
Patients describe recovery timeline and daily life changes.
Dr. Kent Sasse — Who I Am in 60 Seconds
A brief introduction to Dr. Sasse and the Nevada Surgical team.
Our Approach to Treatment
Most gastroparesis is managed medically first. When diet and medication are not enough, next steps can include pyloric therapy (including G-POEM with a regional colleague), gastric neurostimulation (Enterra), and nutrition support past the stomach.
- Complete evaluation — including a properly performed four-hour gastric emptying study (the most common gap we see).
- Optimize what can be optimized — diet, blood sugar, medications that may be contributing.
- Match the intervention to the problem, if intervention is needed.
- Address nutrition throughout, not as an afterthought.
We would rather spend a visit determining the right path than proceed to something unlikely to help.
Enterra Gastric Neurostimulation
What it is
A small device, similar in size to a pacemaker, is implanted under the skin of the abdomen and connected to two thin electrodes in the muscular wall of the stomach. It delivers mild, high-frequency electrical pulses.
The device does not make the stomach empty faster. Its intended effect is on nausea and vomiting themselves.
Who is eligible (HDE terms)
- Gastroparesis of diabetic or idiopathic origin — not post-surgical or other causes under HDE labeling
- Chronic, intractable nausea and vomiting
- Failed, cannot tolerate, or contraindications to medication therapy
- Ages 18–70
What we will tell you honestly
- Authorization is via a humanitarian pathway; labeling states effectiveness has not been demonstrated.
- Studies generally report reductions in nausea/vomiting frequency; they have not shown reliable improvement in gastric emptying.
- Results vary — some patients improve meaningfully; some experience none.
- Not a cure. Adjustable and reversible.
- Insurance coverage varies; some plans still classify as investigational. We help determine coverage before proceeding.
Procedure & Recovery
- Laparoscopic implant; most go home same day or after one night.
- Device programmed and adjusted over visits.
- Light activity in a few days; normal activity in about two to three weeks.
- Improvement often gradual over weeks to months.
Why Nevada Surgical
Dr. Kent Sasse
Dr. Kent Sasse is a board-certified general and bariatric surgeon with 25 years of practice and more than 20,000 procedures, including gastric surgery and neuromodulation (Enterra for the stomach; sacral neuromodulation for bowel and bladder). He is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Nevada School of Medicine and collaborates with the University of Nevada, Reno gastric motility physiology laboratory.
Nevada Surgical is the only practice in northern Nevada offering surgeon-led evaluation for both gastric and sacral neuromodulation.
We see patients from throughout Northern Nevada, Northern California, and beyond. Many travel to us. Telemedicine consultations available. Bring prior testing — we would rather review what you have than repeat it.
Clinic: 5500 Reno Corporate Drive, Suite 100, Reno, NV
Phone: (775) 299-4302
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Enterra cure gastroparesis?
No. It is intended to reduce nausea and vomiting; it does not reliably speed gastric emptying and is not a cure. Results vary.
Is it reversible?
Yes. It can be turned off or removed if it is not helping; settings can be changed without surgery.
Will insurance cover it?
Coverage varies by plan. Prior authorization is required. Our team handles pre-authorization and will tell you what your plan needs before scheduling.
Do I need a referral?
Not necessarily, though some plans require one. You may contact us directly.
I’m not in Reno — can you help?
Yes. Telemedicine first visits are common; we coordinate records and travel. Reno-Tahoe International Airport is about ten minutes from the office.
What should I bring?
Full gastric emptying study report (prefer four-hour), endoscopy reports, medication list with doses, weight trend, and what you have already tried.
For Referring Physicians
We welcome referrals from gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, and primary care physicians.
- Fax records to 877-701-6082: gastric emptying study, most recent endoscopy, medication history, and recent labs
- We will see referred patients within 2 weeks and report back after every visit
- Clinic: 5500 Reno Corporate Drive, Suite 100, Reno, NV • Phone (775) 299-4302
Ready to Request an Appointment?
Take the first step towards relief today.
Call us at (775) 299-4302