Gastroparesis Specialists In Tampa, FL

Most patients who come to see us for gastroparesis have already seen multiple physicians. They have tried medications like metoclopramide or domperidone, adjusted their diets, eaten smaller meals, and still feel miserable. The problem is not effort. The problem is that gastroparesis is often treated symptomatically without understanding the underlying mechanics or confirming the diagnosis objectively. At Tampa Bay Reflux Institute, we do not guess. We test.

Gastroparesis diagnosis requires gastric emptying studies, which measure how long it takes for food to leave your stomach. Many patients are surprised to learn they have never had this test, despite years of symptoms. Without objective confirmation, you may be treated for the wrong condition entirely. We also evaluate whether other foregut conditions, such as silent reflux or esophageal motility disorders, are contributing to your symptoms. Gastroparesis rarely exists in isolation, and treating only one component often leads to incomplete relief.

Dr. Grandhige completed fellowship training in foregut surgery and minimally invasive surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital, one of the top programs in the country. He is a founding member of the American Foregut Society and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. This level of subspecialty training matters because gastroparesis treatment decisions require deep knowledge of stomach physiology, pyloric function, and how the entire foregut system works together. General surgeons and gastroenterologists who see gastroparesis occasionally cannot offer the same depth of judgment.

Our practice philosophy is simple. Education first, intervention second. We explain what gastroparesis is, why your symptoms are happening, and what can realistically be done. Patients consistently tell us that the consultation itself was transformative because things finally made sense. You are not broken. Your symptoms are not imagined. You deserve a complete explanation and a treatment plan that addresses the root cause, not just the discomfort.

For carefully selected patients, endoscopic pyloromyotomy offers meaningful relief from gastroparesis symptoms. This procedure works by targeting the pylorus, the muscular valve between the stomach and small intestine. In gastroparesis, the pylorus often does not relax properly, which prevents the stomach from emptying efficiently. By performing a controlled division of the pyloric muscle using an endoscope passed through the mouth, we can improve gastric emptying and reduce symptom burden.

Endoscopic pyloromyotomy is performed under general anesthesia in an operating room or fully equipped endoscopy suite. Because the procedure is endoscopic, there are no abdominal incisions. Most patients go home the same day and recover faster than they would from traditional surgery. This does not mean the procedure is minor. It is a real therapeutic intervention that requires careful patient selection, skilled technique, and structured postoperative care.

Not every patient with gastroparesis is a candidate for this procedure. We evaluate anatomy, symptom severity, prior treatments, and whether other conditions are contributing to delayed gastric emptying. Some patients benefit more from continued medical management or dietary modifications. Our goal is not to perform procedures on everyone who walks through the door. Our goal is to recommend endoscopic pyloromyotomy only when it is truly appropriate and likely to improve quality of life.

At Tampa Bay Reflux Institute, all procedures are performed at HCA South Tampa Hospital, where Dr. Grandhige works with the same dedicated operating room team, anesthesiologists, and physician assistant in every case. This consistency matters. When the entire team knows the procedure intimately, efficiency improves, complications decrease, and patients feel more supported. After surgery, you have direct access to our office staff and physician assistant, who are familiar with your specific case and can address concerns promptly.

If you have been told that nothing more can be done for your gastroparesis, or if you have been on medications for years without improvement, it may be time for a second opinion from a Tampa gastroparesis specialist who focuses exclusively on foregut disease and advanced endoscopic treatments.

• You feel full after eating just a few bites of food
• You experience constant nausea that does not respond to medication
• You vomit undigested food hours after eating
• You have bloating and abdominal discomfort that worsens throughout the day
• You have lost weight unintentionally because eating feels impossible
• You have been told you have reflux, but reflux medications do not help
• You have been on prokinetic medications for months or years without improvement
• You wake up at night feeling uncomfortably full or nauseous
• You avoid social situations involving food because symptoms are unpredictable
• You have seen multiple doctors and still do not have a clear explanation

Tampa Bay Reflux Institute is conveniently located at 1315 South Howard Avenue in Tampa, in a yellow brick building next to Sally O’Neill’s Pizza. Parking is available behind the restaurant, making access easy for patients throughout South Tampa, Hyde Park, Palma Ceia, and nearby neighborhoods. We routinely see patients from across the Tampa Bay area, including Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Brandon, and Riverview. Many patients also travel from Orlando, Sarasota, Naples, Fort Myers, Miami, Jacksonville, and beyond because they want a comprehensive evaluation from a foregut specialist rather than symptom based guesswork.

Whether you live near Bayshore Boulevard or are driving in from another city, our team makes scheduling efficient and straightforward. We work with a small number of trusted testing sites to streamline your evaluation and reduce unnecessary delays. Most patients move from consultation to diagnosis within four to eight weeks, depending on whether testing has already been completed. Learn more about our approach on our blog.

You do not have to live with constant nausea, bloating, and the fear of eating. Tampa Bay Reflux Institute offers the specialized expertise, objective testing, and advanced treatment options you need to finally understand what is happening in your body and take control of your symptoms. Dr. Grandhige and his team are ready to provide the clarity and care you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with the leading gastroparesis specialists in Tampa, FL.