Dr. Isaac Perry, D.O.

Specialty: Gastroenterology
Subspecialty: Interventional Endoscopy

Office Location:
Gastroenterology Consultants of Savannah
519 Stephenson Avenue
Savannah, GA 31405

Education:
Bachelor’s Degree: University of Toledo
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Internal Medicine Residency: Mercer University School of Medicine/Memorial Health
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Fellowship: Medical College of Georgia (chief fellow)
Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Following advanced fellowship training, Dr. Isaac Perry returns to Savannah to offer the latest minimally-invasive procedural technology in interventional endoscopy

SJ/C: Why did you decide to become a doctor?

I have a calling to help people at their most vulnerable stages. Altering the course of disease when patients are struggling gives people hope. Shouldering with patients and becoming a trusted member of their health team is what it’s all about. This, in combination with science, technology and a deep love for people, is really the heart of good medicine and why I chose to become a physician.

SJ/C: Why did you choose gastroenterology and in particular interventional endoscopy?

The ability to offer highly complex endoscopic procedures is rapidly evolving. Non-incisional procedures with a very short recovery time which would otherwise be a much more involved surgical procedure is of great interest to patients. There is also generally an immediacy in symptom resolution in the field of interventional endoscopy which is very rewarding.

Every day is really fun and enjoyable for me. I partner with an amazing team, not only here at the (Gastroenterology Consultants of Savannah) surgery center and in the clinic, but also at the hospital level where they have expert training in advanced procedures. The staff I work with are not only proficient, but they care about people and always want the best outcome. This is why we do what we do. We would all want that for ourselves, and we spare no degree of excellence in interventional GI.

SJ/C: How would you describe this field and what are some common conditions you treat?

Interventional endoscopy programs have pioneered endoscopic care in the U.S. Included within these programs are those in the realm of what we now call third space endoscopy such as POEM (per oral endoscopic myotomy) and ESD (endoscopic submucosal dissection). These procedures involve tunneling within the layers of the GI tract to treat swallowing disorders such as achalasia, diverticula, gastroparesis and removal of large pre-cancerous and early stage cancerous lesions. Performing a POEM for achalasia for instance, usually results in immediate improvement in their swallowing, which has often been present for years or decades. We have done many now at Candler Hospital all with great success.

I also receive many referrals for pancreaticobiliary and luminal cancers where tissue acquisition and stenting to relieve obstructions is required. I manage pancreatic cysts, biliary strictures and biliary stones. A lot of this involves two more common advanced GI procedures – ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) and EUS (endoscopic ultrasound). ERCP allows me to gain access to the bile or pancreatic ducts using wires and catheters, and EUS allows me to see, in exceptional detail, structures outside of the GI tract, all by way of an endoscope. EUS is generally more sensitive than CT or MRI and is dynamic. Most of these procedures involve monitored anesthesia care using propofol (not requiring a breathing tube). This is the kind of sedation you usually get for a routine colonoscopy. Most of the time these are same day procedures. There are a few procedures where I have patients just stay one night in the hospital and then they go home the next day. The recovery is generally extremely minimal.

SJ/C: Where do you think the future of your particular specialty is going?

There are novel procedures and techniques that come out all the time. I read articles from many sources in the GI literature to stay up-to-date. Many of these are now first-line therapies for what may have otherwise been surgical. Indications for these procedures only continue to expand. I am amazed by the barriers endoscopists continue to break.

SJ/C: What is some common advice you give to patients to follow a healthy lifestyle?

Exercise! I’m a big advocate of resistance-based training using weights. A high-protein, low-sugar diet compliments this well. But everything in moderation. I know Detroit style pizza and mint chocolate chip ice cream isn’t the best, but it’s good for the mind every now and then. You also have to de-stress. So much of GI disease is stress-related. Go on a vacation. Take a trip. Learn a new hobby. Have more dinners with friends. Do these things regularly if you can. I find detaching from technology and silencing notifications when I get home from work allows me to be more present with my family. This leads to a healthy home life and therefore a healthy lifestyle.

Family: I am married to the most amazing wife and blessed with two young girls/princesses and an Irish Doodle named Hudson.
Hobbies/Interests: I really enjoy taking trips with our family. Our girls love “fancy” hotels; even if they aren’t that fancy. They love the ice buckets, ice machines and old-school phones for some reason as well as the complimentary chocolates. I also love listening to and playing music – I play the piano and guitar when I can. I enjoy doing my own yardwork and projects around the house. I am also a huge Detroit sports fan, being from the mitten. I can’t wait for football season! Go Lions!