Dr. Gilbert Doummar

Dr. Gilbert Doummar diagnoses and treats a wide range of digestive system disorders, including:

Liver, Gallbladder, Bile Duct & Pancreatic Disorders

• Chronic Viral Hepatitis (Hepatitis B, C, D): Long-term viral infections that cause inflammation and damage to the liver, potentially leading to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer if untreated.
• Gallstone Disease (Cholelithiasis), Cholecystitis & Choledocholithiasis: Formation of hardened deposits (gallstones) in the gallbladder. Cholecystitis is gallbladder inflammation. Choledocholithiasis refers to gallstones in the common bile duct.
• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) & Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH): A spectrum of conditions characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver not caused by alcohol. NASH involves liver inflammation and cell damage and can progress to cirrhosis.

Esophageal, Stomach & Upper GI Disorders

• Hiatal Hernia & Paraesophageal Hernia: Condition where part of the stomach pushes upward through an opening (hiatus) in the diaphragm into the chest, potentially contributing to GERD and other symptoms.
• Dysphagia (Difficulty Swallowing) & Odynophagia (Painful Swallowing): Symptoms requiring investigation to determine underlying causes, which can range from structural abnormalities and motility disorders to inflammatory conditions or tumors.
• Peptic Ulcer Disease (Gastric, Duodenal, H. pylori-related, NSAID-induced): Open sores that develop on the inside lining of the stomach (gastric ulcer) and the upper portion of the small intestine (duodenal ulcer), commonly caused by H. pylori infection or long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Functional Gastrointestinal & Motility Disorders

• Rumination Syndrome: A condition in which people repeatedly and unintentionally spit up (regurgitate) undigested or partially digested food from the stomach, rechew it, and then reswallow it or spit it out.
• Gastroparesis (Delayed Gastric Emptying): A condition that affects the normal spontaneous movement of the muscles (motility) in your stomach, preventing proper and timely emptying of stomach contents, leading to nausea, vomiting, and fullness.
• Functional Dyspepsia & Epigastric Pain Syndrome: Persistent or recurrent pain or discomfort centered in the upper abdomen (dyspepsia) or specifically in the epigastric region, without an identifiable structural cause after investigation.

This list is not exhaustive. For personalized advice regarding your specific digestive condition, please consult with Dr. Gilbert Doummar.

• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy with Biopsy: Examination of the lower part of the colon (sigmoid colon and rectum) using a flexible sigmoidoscope, often for evaluation of rectal bleeding, diarrhea, or as part of some screening protocols.
• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) Testing & Eradication Therapy: Diagnosis of H. pylori infection using breath tests, stool tests, or endoscopic biopsies, and providing appropriate antibiotic regimens for eradication to treat ulcers and gastritis.
• Endoscopic Dilation of Gastrointestinal Strictures (Esophageal, Pyloric, Colonic): Procedure to stretch narrowed areas (strictures) in the esophagus (e.g., due to reflux, EoE), stomach outlet (pylorus), small intestine, or colon using balloons or Savary-Gilliard dilators passed through an endoscope.
• Chromoendoscopy & Advanced Imaging Techniques (e.g., NBI, FICE): Use of special dye sprays (chromoendoscopy) or electronic light filters (Narrow Band Imaging, Fuji Intelligent Chromo Endoscopy) during endoscopy to enhance visualization of mucosal patterns and improve detection of subtle lesions or precancerous changes.
• Management of Common & Chronic Digestive Symptoms: Investigating and treating common but potentially disruptive digestive symptoms such as heartburn, acid reflux, bloating, abdominal pain, cramping, excessive gas, constipation, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and unexplained weight loss.
• ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) - Diagnostic & Therapeutic: Specialized procedure combining upper endoscopy and X-rays to diagnose and treat problems of the bile and pancreatic ducts, such as gallstone removal from bile duct, stent placement for strictures or leaks, and sphincterotomy.
• Screening & Prevention Strategies for Gastrointestinal Cancers: Risk assessment and counseling on screening for colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer (in Barrett's esophagus), gastric cancer, and liver cancer (in cirrhosis), including FIT testing and colonoscopy recommendations.

Note: This list provides a general overview. Specific procedures and treatments are determined after a thorough evaluation. Discuss with Dr. Doummar for care relevant to your specific condition.

All medical and surgical services (if applicable) are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) and relevant gastroenterological care guidelines. Contact the clinic or your referring physician regarding new patient intake and referral processes.

Hôpital Pierre-Boucher, situated in Longueuil's Vieux-Longueuil (Longueuil West) neighborhood, serves as a major medical facility in the region. The hospital is located within the Major Arterial Road and Longueuil Metro Station Area, providing convenient access via public transit, including the Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL). The facility is wheelchair accessible, ensuring ease of access for all patients. Ample parking options are available, including metered street parking and nearby parking lots, facilitating a smooth visit for patients from Longueuil and surrounding communities.

Are consultations and procedures like endoscopies with Dr. Doummar, a Gastroenterologist, covered by Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in QC?

Medically necessary consultations with a licensed Gastroenterologist like Dr. Doummar, as well as most diagnostic procedures (e.g., endoscopies for investigating symptoms, biopsies for medical reasons) and treatments for provincially insured digestive conditions (e.g., IBD, celiac disease, screening colonoscopies as per provincial guidelines, liver disease management), are generally covered by Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in QC when a referral from a family doctor or another specialist is in place. Procedures considered purely for screening outside of guidelines, or for non-medical reasons, and some advanced technologies or specific drug therapies might have different coverage. It's crucial to discuss coverage specifics for any proposed treatment or procedure with Dr. Doummar's office, the hospital/clinic's financial services, or Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) beforehand.

Do I need a referral from my family doctor to see Dr. Doummar, a Gastroenterologist?

Yes, in nearly all cases, a referral from your family physician or another specialist (such as an internist or surgeon) is required to schedule an appointment with a Gastroenterologist like Dr. Doummar for services covered by the provincial health plan. Gastroenterological issues often require initial assessment and preliminary investigations by your primary care provider. The referral ensures that a specialist consultation is appropriate, helps with prioritizing appointments, and facilitates coordinated care, including the transfer of relevant medical information.

How does Dr. Doummar approach treating functional GI disorders like IBS or functional dyspepsia?

Treating functional GI disorders like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or functional dyspepsia often involves a multi-faceted approach tailored by Dr. Doummar to your specific symptoms and triggers. Since these conditions don't have a structural cause seen on tests, management focuses on symptom relief and improving quality of life. This may include dietary modifications (like identifying trigger foods or trying a low FODMAP diet for IBS), lifestyle adjustments (stress management, regular exercise), fiber supplements, over-the-counter remedies, and prescription medications. Medications can target specific symptoms like pain (antispasmodics), diarrhea (anti-diarrheals), constipation (laxatives), or abnormal gut-brain interaction (neuromodulators in low doses). He will work with you to find the most effective combination of strategies.

What exactly does a Gastroenterologist like Dr. Doummar specialize in?

A Gastroenterologist, often called a GI specialist, is a medical doctor who has undergone extensive specialized training beyond medical school and internal medicine residency to diagnose, treat, and manage diseases of the entire digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) system. This includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon (large intestine), rectum, anus, as well as associated organs like the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas. He is a Gastroenterologist specializing in the comprehensive medical and procedural management of digestive system disorders. Dr. Doummar is skilled in performing endoscopic procedures (like gastroscopy and colonoscopy) for both diagnosis and treatment, interpreting complex diagnostic tests, and developing comprehensive management plans for a wide variety of acute and chronic digestive health issues.

How does a Gastroenterologist like Dr. Doummar approach the management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

The management of IBD (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) by a Gastroenterologist like Dr. Doummar is a highly individualized and long-term process. The primary goals are to induce and then maintain remission (control inflammation), alleviate symptoms, prevent complications, and improve the patient's overall quality of life. Treatment strategies often involve a combination of medications, which can include aminosalicylates (5-ASAs), corticosteroids (for acute flare-ups), immunomodulators (e.g., azathioprine, methotrexate), and increasingly, biologic therapies or small molecule drugs that target specific inflammatory pathways. Regular monitoring through clinical assessment, blood tests, stool tests (like fecal calprotectin), and endoscopic procedures is crucial to track disease activity and adjust treatment as needed. Nutritional counseling and lifestyle advice are also integral parts of comprehensive IBD care.

Hôpital Pierre-Boucher
1333 boul Jacques-Cartier E
Longueuil, QC J4M 2A5

Phone: (450) 468-8111

The facility is wheelchair accessible.

Dr. Doummar is a licensed Gastroenterologist regulated by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) under the Medical Act in QC. A referral from a family physician or appropriate specialist is typically required for consultations with Dr. Doummar for services covered by the provincial health plan.

Verify registration with the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ): https://www.cmq.org/en/directory/physicians?number=88085