CompassionateQuality&Care.

Lal S. Nagabhairu, M.D.

Board-Certified in Gastroenterology, Digestive Tract, Liver, and Pancreatic diseases

Dr. Lal Nagabhairu (Dr. Lal) received his medical training at Guntur Medical College in India. He performed his residency training in internal medicine at Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center in New York Medical College and completed his gastroenterology fellowship at the prestigious Henry Ford Medical Hospital in Detroit, Mich.

Dr. Lal is highly skilled in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP,) which assists in the diagnosis of problems of the bile duct and pancreas. He is also an expert at diagnosing motility problems of the esophagus, non-cardiac chest pain, anorectal problems such as incontinence, and other gastrointestinal motility disorders. He has excellent accuracy and safety records in all types of endoscopic procedures.

David Elijah M.D.

Board-Certified in Gastroenterology, Digestive Tract, Liver, and Pancreatic diseases

Dr. David Elijah joined Gastro-Intestinal Consultants in May 2013. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Rice University. He attended medical school at the University of South Florida, which is where he also completed his residency and fellowship. He is board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. He specializes in procedures such as radiofrequency ablation of pre-cancerous lesions in the esophagus. In addition, he performs endoscopic removal of large lesions and superficial cancers in the stomach and colon so patients can avoid surgery.

About Gastro-Intestinal Consultants

Founded in 2002, GastroIntestinal Consultants, LLC provides an array of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic services to treat digestive disorders and liver diseases. We have three convenient locations, including our main office in Tavares and two locations in The Villages.

Physicians skilled in evaluation, treatment and prevention

Our physicians — Dr. Lal S. Nagabhairu and Dr. David F. Elijah — are board-certified in gastroenterology. Their education combined with their vast experience makes GIC one of the most respected gastrointestinal practices in Central Florida. Our physicians have privileges at Florida Hospital Waterman, The Villages Regional Hospital, Leesburg Regional Medical Center, and Premier Surgical Center. The majority of procedures we offer are performed at the Premier Surgical Center, including colon cancer surveillance.

Why Choose Us

GastroIntestinal Consultants provides costeffective treatment tailored to meet each patient’s individual needs. We communicate with the patient’s personal physician to keep the physician up-to-date on the treatment plan and the patient’s progress.

The physicians of GastroIntestinal Consultants remain dedicated to providing quality and compassionate care for a wide array of gastrointestinal, liver, and biliary tract diseases. Physicians have access to the most cutting-edge technology, including esophageal manometry, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and capsule endoscopy.

EsophagealManometry

MEASURES THE PRESSURE INSIDE THE LOWER PART OF THE ESOPHAGUS.

The purpose of esophageal manometry is to see if the esophagus is contracting and relaxing properly. The test helps diagnose any swallowing problems. Your health care provider may request that this test be performed if you have symptoms of acid reflux (heartburn or nausea after eating) or problems swallowing (feeling like food is stuck behind the breast bone) which can be due to motility problems in the esophagus.

Colonoscopy

PROCEDURE USED TO SEE INSIDE THE COLON AND RECTUM.

During colonoscopy, patients lie on their left side on an examination table. In most cases, a light sedative, and possibly pain medication, helps keep patients relaxed.

The doctor inserts a long, flexible, lighted tube called a colonoscope, or scope, into the anus and slowly guides it through the rectum and into the colon. The scope inflates the large intestine with air or carbon dioxide gas to give the doctor a better view. A small camera mounted on the scope transmits a video image from inside the large intestine, allowing the doctor to carefully examine the intestinal lining. The doctor may ask the patient to move periodically so the scope can be adjusted for better viewing.

Once the scope has reached the opening to the small intestine, it is slowly withdrawn and the lining of the large intestine is carefully examined again. Bleeding and puncture of the large intestine are possible but uncommon complications of colonoscopy.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

(EGD) IS A TEST TO EXAMINE THE LINING OF THE ESOPHAGUS, STOMACH, AND FIRST PART OF THE SMALL INTESTINE.

A local anesthetic may be sprayed into your mouth to prevent you from coughing or gagging when the endoscope is inserted. A mouth guard will be inserted to protect your teeth and the endoscope.

An IV may be inserted into a vein in your arm to give you medications during the procedure. You will be instructed to lie on your left side.

After the sedatives have taken effect the endoscope is inserted through the esophagus to the stomach and duodenum. Air is put into the endoscope to make it easier for the doctor to see. The lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum is examined.

“I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Nagabhairu. When he purchased the practice several years ago, he reviewed my medical records and treatment history. He concluded that I did not have Crohn’s disease as had previously been diagnosed. He was going to prescribe a different medication, which should greatly improve my quality of life if his diagnosis was correct. It was! In just one day I was given my life back. Dr. Nagabhairu, not a day goes by that I do not thank you for the life that I now enjoy.”

— Richard Lindgren

Capsule Endoscopy

EXAMINES THE LINING OF THE MIDDLE PART OF YOUR GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT.

Capsule endoscopy helps your doctor evaluate the small intestine. This part of the bowel cannot be reached by traditional upper endoscopy or by colonoscopy. The most common reason for doing capsule endoscopy is to search for a cause of bleeding from the small intestine. It may also be useful for detecting polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, and tumors of the small intestine.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio pancreatography (ERCP)

ERCP IS A PROCEDURE THAT COMBINES UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL (GI) ENDOSCOPY AND X RAYS TO TREAT PROBLEMS OF THE BILE AND PANCREATIC DUCTS.

An endoscope is inserted down the esophagus, through the stomach, and into the duodenum. Video is transmitted from a small camera attached to the endoscope to a computer screen. Air is pumped through the endoscope to inflate the stomach and duodenum, making them easier to examine.

A catheter is slid through the endoscope and guided through the papillary opening so the doctor can inject a dye into the ducts. This allows the ducts to be seen on x rays to identify and treat narrowed areas or blockages. Treatment can include opening blocked ducts, breaking up or removing gallstones, removing tumors in the ducts, or inserting stents.