If you’ve been bouncing from doctor to doctor with stomach pain, nausea after meals, or unexplained weight loss, only to hear that everything looks normal, you might want to learn about Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS). This rare condition happens when a band of tissue in the abdomen presses on the celiac artery and nearby nerves, limiting blood flow and causing serious discomfort. 

MALS affects an estimated two out of every 100,000 people, but it's often overlooked or misdiagnosed due to its vague symptoms. 

Read on to learn more about what MALS is, how to get a proper diagnosis, and where to find the best MALS treatment specialist in Beverly Hills. 

What Is MALS (Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome)?

Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS) is a rare condition that happens when a band of tissue called the median arcuate ligament presses down on the celiac artery, a major blood vessel that supplies blood to your stomach, liver, and other organs. This pressure can also affect nearby nerves, which makes the pain even worse. 

When blood flow is reduced in this area, it can cause a variety of symptoms that are hard to ignore. Many people with MALS experience ongoing upper abdominal pain, especially after eating. It’s also common to feel nauseous, vomit, or lose weight without trying; mainly because eating becomes uncomfortable or even painful. 

MALS can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms often look like other stomach problems. Even though it’s most often found in women between the ages of 20 and 40, the truth is, it can affect anyone. If you’ve been living with mysterious stomach pain and haven’t gotten answers, MALS might be a possibility worth exploring.

How Is MALS Diagnosed? 

Diagnosing MALS can be tricky because its symptoms often look like more common digestive problems, such as IBS, GERD, or gastroparesis. That’s why many people with MALS go through multiple tests and doctors before getting the right diagnosis. If your GI tests keep coming back normal but you’re still experiencing pain, consulting the best MALS specialist in Beverly Hills for a more thorough examination is worthwhile. 

To diagnose MALS, GI specialists use special imaging tests that show how blood is flowing to your organs. A Doppler ultrasound can detect changes in blood flow through the celiac artery, especially when you breathe in and out. CT angiography and MRI are also helpful because they create detailed images of your arteries and can reveal if the ligament is pressing on the celiac artery. 

What Are the Best Treatment Options for MALS?

The most effective treatment for MALS is surgery to release the pressure caused by the median arcuate ligament. This is usually done through minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgery. During surgery, the surgeon carefully cuts the ligament to relieve compression on the celiac artery. In some cases, doctors may also perform a celiac ganglionectomy — removing or disrupting certain nerves in the area — to help reduce pain caused by nerve irritation. 

While surgery offers the best chance at long-term relief, not everyone finds instant improvement. That’s why supportive care, including pain management for MALS, nutritional support, and mental health therapy, makes a big difference, especially for patients who are waiting for surgery or recovering from it. Even though these non-surgical options won’t cure MALS, they can help you feel more in control of your body and your life while you work toward healing.

What Is Recovery Like After MALS Surgery?

Recovery after MALS surgery can look different for everyone, but most patients start to feel some relief within a few weeks. However, full healing, especially if nerves were affected, can take several months. 

During recovery, it’s normal to have some lingering pain or stomach sensitivity as your body adjusts, and many people need to take it slow when it comes to eating. You might be asked to follow a soft or restricted diet for a while to avoid irritating your digestive system. 

To help your recovery go more smoothly, doctors often recommend gradually reintroducing foods, working with a physical therapist to rebuild strength, and scheduling follow-up imaging to make sure blood flow through the celiac artery has improved. 

What Happens If MALS Is Left Untreated?

If MALS is left untreated, it can lead to serious long-term problems that affect both your physical and emotional well-being. The constant pain, especially after eating, can make it hard to enjoy meals or get the nutrition your body needs, leading to unintentional weight loss and even malnutrition. Over time, this ongoing struggle can take a toll on your mental health, causing anxiety, depression, and frustration from not having clear answers. 

Finding the Best MALS Doctor in Beverly Hills

Many people with MALS feel misunderstood or dismissed because their symptoms don’t always show up on standard tests, which can be emotionally draining. Seeking a second opinion from a MALS specialist can be the key to finally obtaining the correct diagnosis and finding a path toward relief.

For those facing symptoms of this complex condition, finding a surgeon who not only understands the intricacies of the disease but also has the skill and precision to treat it effectively is of utmost importance. At our Beverly Hills office, Dr. Danny Shouhed combines world-class expertise, cutting-edge robotic technology, and a profound understanding of foregut anatomy to provide patients with a safer and more precise approach to MALS surgery. 

As one of the few surgeons in the country who has published extensively on MALS and performed dozens of successful robotic-assisted MAL releases, Dr. Shouhed is uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat this rare condition with confidence and care. His training at Cedars-Sinai and Mount Sinai, two of the top surgical programs in the country, has shaped his meticulous, patient-centered approach. 

In Beverly Hills, we treat patients from across Los Angeles and beyond. Many come to us after years of unanswered symptoms. 

Ready to finally get answers from the best MALS treatment doctor in Beverly Hills, who’s also a dedicated advocate who will help you navigate every step of your journey toward lasting relief?