Anti-Reflux Surgery (GERD)

Find lasting relief from acid reflux with proven treatments.

GERD causes frequent heartburn and discomfort, but effective lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery can restore comfort and protect long-term health.
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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.

The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn, which can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. If left untreated, this can lead to more significant problems such as erosive esophagitis, esophageal strictures, tooth decay, hoarseness of voice, aspiration, and even esophageal cancers.
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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.

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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.

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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

Please note: Recovery timelines vary from patient to patient. The information provided represents general guidelines based on typical cases. Your individual recovery may differ based on your specific health status, the complexity of your procedure, and how well you follow post-operative care instructions. Always consult with your surgeon regarding your personal recovery expectations.
1

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.

2

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

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.

4

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.

5

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.

Patient Testimonials

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Earl P profile picture
Earl P
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Had my Double knee replacement in April of this year. Can't say enough good things about this clinic and the treatment and post care i received. The only thing i could suggest is that the clinic should set up its own transportation from the clinic to the hotel as waiting for a taxi and trying to get in and out of it was very difficult. If they would have had their own transportation IE a shuttle bus this would have made it so much easier even if there was a charge it would have been worth it.
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Doug D profile picture
Doug D
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I was a fit athletic senior, crippled by arthritis and ruptured meniscus. Best money I ever spent. Quality of life at 69 years is everything. Wait 3 years in Alberta health care or fly to Montreal next month for a knee replacement. NO brainer.
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Randy H profile picture
Randy H
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I had a full knee replacement in Montreal on June 12/25. Everything went very well from a very short wait for the procedure to the excellent team that was in place. The facilities in Montreal were top notch, they were very thorough pre-op and took very good care of you post surgery. I am very happy with the results and highly recommend Dr Henderson and his team at Vital Surgical Specialists.
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K. B profile picture
K. B
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I contacted Vital Surgical Specialists in July 2024 to inquire about getting my right hip replaced. I had been on the wait list in Red Deer for over 2 years with no idea how much longer it would take. My hip joint was bone on bone and extremely painful, limiting every aspect of my life. After a thorough vetting process with the Vital Surgical Specialists team, I was scheduled for hip surgery on September 12/2024 in Montreal at their clinic. I received all the necessary information and had tests done here as well as conversations with Dr. Henderson, Nicki, and the anesthesiologist in Montreal before flying to Montreal with my husband. Special thanks to Nicki, the wonderful Nurse Practitioner on the team who answered all my calls and questions immediately, and even visited with me in the clinic. Thanks also to Sarah, who was my contact for anything else I needed. Thanks also, of course, to Dr. Henderson, who made the surgery so painless. We stayed in the recommended hotel, which provided everything I needed for the first few days of my recovery. On September 12/2024 I checked into the Vital Surgical Solutions clinic, and had the surgery that afternoon. I had requested the “Anterior Approach” which is less invasive and has a shorter recovery time. Everything went very well, and I was checking out of the clinic by September 14/2024. The clinic was very efficient, and well run. Even the food was good. As recommended, we stayed 2 more nights at the hotel in Montreal before flying home. Dr. Henderson and the team kept providing me with quality care after I returned home. I accessed physio therapy here in Red Deer and had a good experience. Within a few weeks I was walking without even a cane, and without pain. It was such a wonderful experience, and so worth it for my quality of life. My other hip has deteriorated unfortunately, and I have been on the list here in Red Deer for over a year with no idea when I might get surgery. There is no guarantee that I could get the Anterior Approach here either as only Dr. Henderson offers it, so I am considering another trip to Montreal to have Vital Surgical Solutions and Dr. Henderson who practices in both Red Deer and Montreal provide the same service as before. It is expensive, but I have to consider what my quality of life is worth. I highly recommend Vital Surgical Specialists if you need a hip replacement. All of the other patients in the clinic when I was there were from Central Alberta. They all had a good experience.
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Marnie P profile picture
Marnie P
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I was well treated and cared for from my first phone call of inquiry, through the surgery period and home again. Thank-you so much to the Alberta team, the Montreal team and to Dr. Henderson.
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Scott s profile picture
Scott s
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Nursing staff and surgeon were professional and preformed roles perfectly in addressing my hip replacement during and after surgery. No regrets
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Rick W profile picture
Rick W
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Vital Surgical Specialists were a super group of professionals! I needed a new hip and was in a great deal of pain and having trouble walking!! My quality of life was extremely poor. I contacted Sarah and from then on was expertly cared for by the entire Vital Surgical team. Dr. Henderson replaced my right hip and I immediately knew that my quality of life had improved! With the aid of physical therapy I was soon walking without pain. Thanks to the Vital Surgical Specialists team I was able to regain my quality of life. The after surgical care and expertise has also been extremely helpful. I would recommend Vital Surgical Specialists to any and all that need a hip replacement and I understand they do knees and other surgeries too. R.A. (Rick) Wigmore
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Denise T profile picture
Denise T
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I had a wonderful experience with Vital Care. I had my surgery in January 2025. Unfortunately I slipped the night before my surgery. The doctor took care of my ankle an also my knee. The staff were so kind, thoughtful as well as very good at there jobs. I would highly recommend them to anyone who does not have time to wait 2 or 3 years. I am so glad to be back among the moving and and painless.
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Ewan B profile picture
Ewan B
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Excellent service, doing great in my recovery Highly recommend Vital Surgical Specialists.
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Tracy W profile picture
Tracy W
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I had my left hip replaced 9 months ago by Dr. Henderson. I was incredibly impressed with the whole process! All of the staff, both at Vital Surgical Specialists and the clinic in Montreal, were extremely kind and helpful. I can't believe how good my hip feels now! Back to being able to teach Physical Education again!!! I would definitely recommend!

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