Reflux Surgery & GERD Treatment in Plano & Dallas
Treatment for Acid Reflux & Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Acid reflux is the name for the occasional backwards flow of stomach acid into the esophagus. This reverse flow of stomach acid typically causes a burning sensation in the chest (heartburn) and sore throat. When a patient experiences chronic acid reflux, the condition is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. It is a troublesome condition which affects approximately 20% of Americans.
How are heartburn and acid reflux treated? Managing stomach acid levels is a traditional method for treating GERD and acid reflux. Treatment can involve medication (such as proton pump inhibitors), changing your diet to eliminate trigger foods, or lifestyle changes such as reducing portion sizes, not lying down within two hours of eating, and sleeping with your head elevated.
Anti-Reflux Surgery Dallas
If medication, diet changes, and lifestyle modifications still do not provide relief, anti-reflux surgery may be the best option to fix the problem. In the Dallas area, surgery is a common treatment for GERD sufferers. This procedure is designed to help the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) as it is supposed to, preventing stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus. The surgery can provide long-term relief from GERD symptoms, including heartburn and acid reflux.
Preeti Malladi is an experienced acid reflux surgeon providing treatment options in Plano and the Dallas area. Call now to schedule a consultation to discuss surgical treatment options with Dr. Malladi.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Animation
Symptoms and Causes of Acid Reflux & GERD
Gastric acid, or stomach acid, aids in food digestion. However, when it flows backwards into the esophagus, this triggers acid reflux symptoms.
Acid reflux is generally characterized by heartburn, regurgitation of stomach acid (“wet burping”), and general discomfort of the stomach (called dyspepsia) among other common symptoms. If these occur frequently, you may have GERD. This condition can cause burning pain, irritation, and the discomfort/burning in the chest known as heartburn.
Those who have GERD often have a weakness in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a ring of muscle situated at the base of the esophagus. The LES is the gateway between the esophagus and the stomach below. When the LES doesn’t fully close or will not stay closed, stomach contents, and stomach acid in particular, can flow backward into the esophagus, causing annoying symptoms like heartburn, throat irritation, difficulty swallowing, and chest pain when lying down. Left untreated, GERD can lead to complications such as inflammation, stricture, and even cancer of the esophagus.
But what causes acid reflux disease? There are a number of factors that put you at higher risk for GERD, including:
- Weakened lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle
- Obesity
- Hiatal hernia, in which the stomach pokes up through the diaphragm
- Smoking
- Certain trigger foods
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Pregnancy
GERD can be diagnosed via the following methods:
- Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
- Biopsy
- Barium swallow radiograph
- monitoring with a pH study
- Esophageal manometry
Depending on the cause of your GERD, you may benefit from the services of an experienced surgeon in Dallas. Acid reflux surgeons are specially trained to recognize your specific issue and take corrective action. Contact Dr. Malladi, for more details on whether surgery for acid reflux disease would be right for you or your loved one.
Reflux Operation Options for GERD
Once diagnosed, surgical options to prevent GERD will take any of a number of forms depending on its root cause. There are several different GERD surgical options that could be the right fit for your specific situation. Dr. Malladi uses the following surgical procedures to treat GERD for her patients in the Plano and Dallas areas:
- Hiatal hernia repair
- Fundoplication surgery, which reinforces the LES by wrapping a bit of the stomach around the esophagus
- LINX procedure, which uses magnets to strengthen a weak LES
- Achalasia surgery
For acid reflux or GERD surgery in Dallas or Plano, visit a skilled surgeon to guide you through treatment options successfully. Call Dr. Malladi, a North Texas GERD surgeon who is experienced in minimally invasive techniques to treat esophageal reflux.
FAQs About Acid Reflux Surgery
When should you have GERD surgery?
You may be a candidate for acid reflux surgery if lifestyle changes haven’t reduced symptoms or if other conditions—such as hiatal hernia or a weak LES—are causing your GERD.
Do you lose weight after reflux surgery?
Hiatal hernia repair can result in a post operative weight loss of 10-15 pounds. Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication has been shown to reduce patients’ BMI (body mass index) significantly.
How long does it take to recover from GERD surgery?
After laparoscopic anti reflux surgery, recovery times range from 2-3 weeks, depending on your individual circumstances. A reflux surgeon like Dr. Malladi can give you more details.
How successful is surgery for GERD?
It depends on many factors, but the majority of patients (56% to 90%) experience positive results from surgery for reflux disease.
When does heartburn require anti-reflux surgery?
Frequent exposure to stomach acid can harm the esophageal lining. If GERD has become difficult to tolerate or is causing complications such as esophageal erosion or Barrett’s esophagus, it may be time for acid reflux surgery. Contact Dr. Malladi and visit either her Dallas or Plano office to see if surgery is right for you.
