Frequently Asked Questions
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Acid Reflux Surgery

What is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD, is the medical term for heartburn, which is a burning sensation in the chest. This condition occurs when acid abnormally backs up from the stomach into the esophagus. Other GERD symptoms include difficult or painful swallowing, a sour taste in the throat or regurgitation of food. Sixty million American adults experience heartburn at least once a month and 25 million adults suffer daily.
 

 
What Causes GERD?

When you eat, food travels from your mouth to your stomach through a tube in your chest called the esophagus. At the lower end of the esophagus is a small ring of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter. Normally, this sphincter allows food to pass into your stomach, while not allowing the stomach's acid to back up into your esophagus. GERD occurs when the sphincter does not function properly, allowing acid to flow up into the esophagus. This can irritate the esophagus and produce heartburn.
 

 
What Contributes To GERD?

Many factors can contribute to the onset of GERD. A weak lower esophageal sphincter may have been present since birth. A hiatal hernia, a condition that interferes with proper sphincter function, may have developed. Eating fatty foods, drinking coffee or alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and taking certain mediations can cause sphincter dysfunction. Obesity can also lead to heartburn.

 

 
Can GERD Damage Your Body?

When the sensitive lining of the esophagus is exposed to stomach acid over time, tissue damage may occur resulting in:

*inflammation and ulceration
*stricture - a narrowing that can make swallowing increasingly difficult
*Barrett's esophagus - a condition that can lead to cancer
 

 
How is GERD Treated?

GERD is generally treated in three progressive steps:

1. Lifestyle Changes: For many people, changing diet and medications, cutting back on cigarettes, coffee and alcohol, losing weight, or altering eating and sleeping patterns will eliminate heartburn.

2. Drug Therapy: If symptoms persist after making lifestyle changes, certain medications, such as antacids or acid blockers, may help.

3. Surgery: For those who do not find relief with lifestyle changes or drug therapy, laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery may be an option. Other people who might consider surgery are those who are concerned about taking medication for the rest of their lives, injuring the lining of their esophagus from years of stomach acid exposure, or developing Barrett's esophagus.
 

 
What Results Can Be Expected Following Surgery?

Studies have shown that over 90% of patients can expect a significant reduction or complete elimination of their GERD symptoms. This means no more medications. A solid food diet can be started after 2 weeks of soft foods. For those with an esophagus that has been damaged by stomach acid, the injury can begin to heal and the risk of developing cancer of the esophagus may be reduced.