In short-term studies of up to 5 years and long-term studies of up to 10 years, most people report they are extremely satisfied with the surgery, their symptoms have reduced, and their quality of life has improved. Most people no longer need reflux medication following GERD surgery.
All of these procedures achieve high success rates, with 85 to 90 percent or more patients happy with their outcome at long-term follow-up, but with the anterior partial fundoplications doing better in terms of minimizing side effects.
Side effects of anti-reflux surgery are related to the creation of a valve at the lower esophageal sphincter where none previously existed. These may include: Difficult, painful swallowing that may last up to three months, but is usually gone in 4 to 6 weeks. It may be associated with pain in the shoulder as well.
With most people, GERD can be controlled with medication, but when symptoms persist despite medication, surgery is the only option.
You may be a good candidate for surgery when: PPIs fail to relieve your acid reflux. You have a hiatal hernia. You have esophagitis.
Meanwhile, certain home remedies and lifestyle changes may help you get rid of GERD for good. You can try avoiding trigger foods and lying down after eating, losing excess weight, exercising, and quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol, if applicable. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to cure GERD.
There is usually minimal pain associated with this operation. The abdomen will be sore as well as the small incision sites, and some patients have shoulder pain for the first day or two. The shoulder pain is caused by gas left in your abdomen during the operation.
GERD Treatment: Lifestyle and Dietary Changes
Dietary and lifestyle changes are the first step in treating GERD. Certain foods make the reflux worse. Suggestions to help alleviate symptoms include: Lose weight if you are overweight — of all of the lifestyle changes you can make, this one is the most effective.
Anti-reflux surgery is safe, and it works. After your surgery, you should have fewer problems with heartburn. But if that burning feeling creeps back up again, you might need to have a repeat surgery. To avoid another procedure, take your heartburn medicine if you need it.
The surgery may take around three hours, after which a patient may take a few more hours to recover from anesthesia. A Nissen fundoplication is a surgical procedure that treats gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), commonly known as acid reflux disease or hiatus hernia.
Researchers have found that certain bariatric surgeries can improve GERD symptoms. However, some forms of bariatric surgery can worsen GERD symptoms or cause them to develop.
Kinds of Metabolic Surgery for Acid Reflux Treatment
Gastric bypass surgery is performed to decrease the size of the stomach and to redirect the flow of food so the patient consumes less calories and loses weight.
During a Nissen fundoplication
You usually have keyhole (minimally invasive or laparoscopic) surgery. The procedure normally takes about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes. The surgeon makes 4 to 5 small cuts in your tummy (abdomen).
Benefits of Acid Reflux Surgery
Prescription and OTC medications can only control the symptoms of reflux, not cure heartburn. Benefits of GERD surgery include: Eliminating heartburn medications: Most people no longer need prescription or OTC medications to treat acid reflux after heartburn surgery.
Untreated GERD can cause permanent damage to the esophagus. You'll probably find that one of the simplest ways to make living with GERD easier is to avoid the things that trigger your symptoms. Some people will have to limit certain foods; others may have to give them up entirely.
No, GERD is a potentially serious condition and it will not go away on its own. Untreated GERD can cause the esophagus to swell and all that stomach acid could potentially wear away the lining. It could even lead to esophageal cancer, which can be fatal.
As a result of changes caused by these operations, most patients will experience some weight loss. The capacity of the stomach is decreased slightly and it doesn't distend as much until healing occurs. On average, our patients lose approximately 10% of their weight.
After laparoscopic surgery, most people can go back to work or their normal routine in about 2 to 3 weeks, depending on their work. After open surgery, you may need 4 to 6 weeks to get back to your normal routine.
You should be able to progress to a soft-normal diet 4 – 6 weeks after surgery. What is a soft-normal diet? A soft-normal diet involves gradually introducing more solid textures to your diet. While you are having a soft-normal diet you should avoid the same foods you were advised to avoid on page 4.
Stage 3 (severe): A person has regular heartburn, a chronic cough, regurgitation, a hoarse voice, and regurgitation of food. Stage 4 (esophageal cancer or precancerous lesions): A person has the same symptoms as stage 3, plus food getting stuck in the back of their throat when eating.
GERD is considered a chronic disease and may not be entirely curable. Working with your doctor on a treatment plan that aligns with your stage of GERD will help manage your symptoms and halt the progression of the condition.
Yes, GERD can be cured. The most common treatment for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is medication, which can help to decrease the amount of acid in your stomach. If lifestyle changes don't help, your doctor may also recommend surgery.
Generally, you will be on a clear liquid diet for the first few meals. Then you will advance to the full liquid diet for a meal or two and eventually to a Nissen soft diet. Please be aware that each patient's tolerance to food is different.