What surgery is done for acid reflux?

A Nissen fundoplication is a surgery to correct gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The surgery tightens the junction between the esophagus and the stomach to prevent acid reflux. The esophagus is the tube between your mouth and stomach. It is part of your gastrointestinal (GI) system.

How successful is surgery for acid reflux?

Acid reflux surgery has a high success rate. In about 95% of cases, acid reflux surgery relieves symptoms enough that people don't need medications afterwards. Studies following people for more than five years after surgery find that symptom improvement continues long term.

What is the best surgery for acid reflux?

Anti-reflux surgery

The most common surgical treatment to prevent reflux is fundoplication. In this procedure, a portion of the stomach is attached to the bottom of the esophagus. This strengthens the valve between the esophagus and stomach and stops acid from backing up into the esophagus.

How long does it take to recover from GERD surgery?

Expect to stay in the hospital for about 4 to 6 days, and then spend a month to 6 weeks recovering at home with the open surgical procedure. Laparoscopic surgery will shorten your hospital stay to 1 to 3 days, and you'll be back on your feet and at work in just 2 to 3 weeks. Anti-reflux surgery is safe, and it works.

How do you know if you need acid reflux surgery?

Candidates for reflux surgery

You have esophagitis. You have Barrett's esophagus. You want to stop taking medication. You're young and need to avoid long-term PPI use.

Wendy Ryan prepares for surgery to repair acid reflux and the damage it has done

Is acid reflux surgery risky?

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.

Can acid reflux be cured with surgery?

Surgery is very effective in treating GERD. The most common operation for GERD is called a fundoplication. Doctors have done this surgery through an open incision in the belly since the late 1950's, and with a minimally-invasive approach using multiple small incisions since the 1990s.

Can you live a normal life after Nissen fundoplication?

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. This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover.

Can you eat normally after GERD surgery?

THE FIRST 2 TO 3 WEEKS AFTER YOUR SURGERY - SOFT DIET

Until the swelling goes down food must be smooth, soft and sloppy to easily swallow and slip down. The important points to remember: Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly. Eat small meals throughout the day.

Can GERD be fixed without surgery?

There are four approaches for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment, including medication and surgery. Often, patients respond well to a combination of lifestyle changes and a medication regimen. Some patients do not find satisfactory relief from those methods and require surgical intervention.

What happens during acid reflux surgery?

A Nissen fundoplication is a surgery to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). During the procedure, a surgeon creates a sphincter (tightening muscle) at the bottom of the esophagus to prevent acid reflux. Most people notice a significant decrease in acid reflux symptoms after the surgery.

Can you talk after having your esophagus removed?

The biggest difficulty is moving down enough air to be able to produce continuous speech. Most people speak in short sentences. Some people can even go back to jobs that need a lot of talking. Your speech and language therapist can be a great support during this time.

How many years does a Nissen fundoplication last?

Conclusion: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication produces control of symptoms in 80% of patients late (up to 15 years) after surgeries corroborated by endoscopic, histologic examinations, and functional studies.

Can you vomit after reflux surgery?

The most common complications are difficulty swallowing, abdominal bloating, diarrhea, and nausea. Most patients can't belch as well as they could before surgery, although the inability to belch is distinctly uncommon. About 25% of patients can't vomit after surgery.

Does GERD surgery cause weight loss?

Nissen fundoplication, gastric sleeve surgery and Rous en Y gastric bypass all have the gastric fundus in common. Whether the gastric fundus is wrapped, excised or bypassed the end result is the same: weight loss, decreased meal size, early satiety, and lower Ghrelin levels. In addition, there is decreased acid reflux.

How painful is fundoplication surgery?

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. It will disappear on its own.

What are the side effects of fundoplication?

What happens if you can t vomit after fundoplication surgery?

Just as other body parts, the fundoplication wrap created during the GERD surgery will slowly loosen over time. Therefore even some patients that originally could not burp or vomit will be able to do so as the wrap loosens.

Who is not a candidate for Nissen fundoplication surgery?

Patients who are elderly, have other health problems, or have weak peristalsis (digestive motion) are not good candidates for a Nissen Fundoplication. In some cases, this surgery may even worsen their condition.

How do you permanently treat GERD?

What are the side effects after GERD surgery?

Common late postoperative complications include gas-bloat syndrome (up to 85%), dysphagia (10%-50%), diarrhea (18%-33%), and recurrent heartburn (10%-62%). Most of these complications improve during the 3-6 months after surgery. Dietary modifications, pharmacologic therapies, and esophageal dilation may be helpful.

What are the complications of reflux surgery?

Complications specific to antireflux surgery include infection, bleeding, and esophagogastric perforation. Additionally, LARS can result in postoperative functional complications, including dysphagia, gas-bloat syndrome, and diarrhea.

What is the success rate of silent reflux surgery?

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) is a well-established procedure for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with an over 90% success rate in sign and symptom resolution. Current indications for fundoplication are listed in Figure 1.