Reflux Surgery & GERD Treatment in Plano & Dallas Fort Worth
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive disease that occurs when your stomach acid backflows up into your esophagus. Gastric acid can damage the inner lining of the esophagus and lead to pain as well as possible complications later on such as inflammation, stricture, and even esophageal cancer.
How are heartburn and acid reflux treated? Treating GERD and acid reflux is usually a matter of taking medication or changing your diet to eliminate trigger foods and making some other lifestyle changes. However, in some cases, you may need a reflux operation to fix the problem. Preeti Malladi is an experienced acid reflux surgeon who provides various treatment options for acid reflux patients in Plano or the Dallas Fort Worth area.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Animation
Symptoms and Causes of Acid Reflux
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, it may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease. This reflux disease can cause burning pain, irritation, discomfort in the chest, and in some cases, frequent heartburn or burning sensation.
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, which keeps the bottom of the esophagus closed
- 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
- pH monitoring
- Esophageal manometry
Depending on the cause of your GERD, you may benefit from the services of a reflux surgeon. Acid reflux surgeons are specially trained to recognize your specific reflux 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 reflux 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 reflux disease. Dr. Malladi uses the following surgical procedures to help many patients in the Plano and Dallas Fort Worth area:
- Hiatal hernia repair
- Fundoplication surgery 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
When seeking acid reflux surgery or a GERD surgical procedure in the Plano or Dallas Fort Worth area, it’s important to see a DFW doctor who has the right set of skills and knowledge to guide you through the available treatment options and see you through the reflux operation process successfully. For the help you need to overcome GERD, call today for general inquiries or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Malladi, an experienced reflux surgeon serving Dallas, Plano, Fort Worth, and others in North Texas.
FAQs About Acid Reflux Surgery
When should you have reflux 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 cause patients to lose 10-15 pounds post-op, while laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication has been shown to reduce patients’ BMI (body mass index) significantly.
How long does it take to recover from acid reflux surgery?
After laparoscopic surgery, recovery times range from 2-3 weeks, depending. A reflux surgeon like Dr. Malladi can give you more details.
How successful is surgery for acid reflux?
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 surgery?
If it’s harming your esophagus (Barrett’s esophagus) or simply won’t go away, it may be time for acid reflux surgery. Contact Dr. Malladi and visit either her Dallas or Plano office to see if a reflux operation is right for you.
