Patient Story: Mark Bachteler

While watching television one evening, Mark Bachteler of Gambrills, Maryland, suddenly didn’t feel well. He thought he might need to cut back on spicy foods, but the stomach pain and vomiting didn’t go away, even after a few weeks.

At first, being unable to keep food down helped him meet his weight loss goals. He stopped eating out and only ate soft foods at home. But after losing more than 50 pounds, he and his wife agreed it was time to see a doctor.

Mark was referred to Dr. Sanmeet Singh, Medical Director of Endoscopy at Luminis Health. Dr. Singh performed an endoscopy and diagnosed Mark with achalasia, a rare condition that occurs when food and liquid can’t move from the esophagus to the stomach. 

To fix it, Dr. Singh recommended a minimally invasive procedure called peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). The procedure gently cuts the tight muscle at the bottom of the esophagus, opening the passage so food can reach the stomach again.

“Given the severity of Mark’s symptoms, POEM was the right choice for him,” Dr. Singh says. “It’s minimally invasive, allows for a faster recovery than traditional surgery, and delivers relief by cutting the tight muscle without large incisions. We’re proud to be one of the few centers in Maryland equipped to provide this advanced level of care close to home.” 

After just one night in the hospital, Mark went home to his wife and two sons, ages 11 and 8.

“It has been life-changing,” Mark says of the experience. "I am now eating more solids than I have in the last 1.5 years. I no longer have to always worry about being near a bathroom or someplace where I can step away when eating with others. Dr. Singh truly changed my life."

A few weeks later, Mark and his family went on a beach trip to Delaware with his in-laws. Everyone was glad to see him enjoying family meals again after so many missed mealtimes in the past.

Next, Mark is looking forward to a golf trip and enjoying meals out with his golf buddies.

If you or someone you know has a digestive disease, please call 443-569-4855 to make an appointment with our team.