Anti-Reflux Surgery (GERD)
Find lasting relief from acid reflux with proven treatments.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a condition in which the strongly acidic stomach contents are able to flow, or reflux, back up into the esophagus.
Treatment of GERD
GERD is generally treated in a stepwise fashion from less invasive strategies to more invasive strategies.
Initial GERD management focuses on optimizing lifestyle factors contributing to GERD such as avoiding caffeine, nicotine products, alcohol, spicy foods, etc. It also involves avoiding eating late at night and sleeping with the head of your bed elevated to allow gravity to help keep stomach contents down.
The next step is addition of medications which included classes of drugs such as proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers and antacids.
If medications and lifestyle optimization fail to control GERD, or patients are unable to tolerate the medications, or they do not want to be on medications life long, anti-reflux surgery should be considered.
Surgical Treatment for GERD
As the underlying cause of GERD is weakening of the muscular valve between the stomach and esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter) that functions to keep stomach acid down, the primary goal of surgery is to reinforce the valve to prevent acid from refluxing into the esophagus.
This is accomplished through a laparoscopic procedure called a fundoplication, in which the top of the stomach, or fundus, is wrapped around the bottom of the esophagus. If patients have an associated hiatus hernia, where the stomach has herniated through the diaphragm, this will be repaired at the same time. Anti-reflux surgery is highly effective, and over 95% of people are off acid suppressing medications immediately after surgery.
Recovery After Anti-Reflux Surgery
As the surgery is done through 5 mm incisions, patients can expect faster recoveries and significantly less post operative discomfort as compared to traditional open anti-reflux surgery.
Recovery generally entails a single overnight stay in the surgical facility, followed by discharge the following morning. Patients will be required to be on a soft/pureed diet for four weeks after surgery while recovering, at which time, they will be able to return to a fully regular diet.
GERD Surgery Recovery Timeline
One night at the surgical centre
Hospital stay and initial recovery.
Get up to the bathroom the afternoon after surgery. Start with sips and ice chips when awake, then clear fluids in small sips until discharge. Focus on moving around and doing deep breathing exercises.
Discharge – morning of post-op day 1
Transition to full fluids.
Advance to full fluids with no chunks. Aim for 1.5–2L over 24 hours in small sips. It is safe to fly home Post-Op Day 3
Days 3–14
Building strength and mobility.
Continue full fluids with a focus on protein, drinking 1.5–2L daily. Keep up deep breathing exercises and move every few hours. Gradually increase walking, with desk workers returning to work at two weeks.
Days 15–30
Introducing soft solids.
Transition to soft solids such as mashed potatoes, soups, daal, and scrambled eggs, while keeping full fluids. Build strength and increase walking. Avoid lifting more than 10 lbs and using tubs or swimming pools until four weeks post-op.
4 weeks
Follow up appointment with your surgeon & return to normal activities.
You will have a follow up appointment with your surgeon. Most patients (97%) are now back to work with no restrictions. Resume full duties, return gradually to a normal diet, and advance textures. Stay hydrated, stay active.
Let's Get in Touch!
