Acid Reflux Surgery: When Medication and Dietary Changes Don't Work

By Seun Sowemimo, MD, FACS, New Jersey board-certified and fellowship-trained GI surgeon

Heartburn (also known as GERD and acid reflux) affects most people during some time in their lives. But if you suffer from this condition frequently, you know just how painful and uncomfortable it can be—keeping you up at night, burning your esophagus, restricting the foods you can enjoy, etc.

Acid reflux takes place when gastrointestinal acid backs up from the stomach into the esophagus and it’s not going to go away without medical intervention, unfortunately.

In fact, many of the patients who have come to see me here in Freehold for GERD treatment did not seek GERD medical care early-on and eventually faced more complex GI issues that required surgery.

GERD Symptoms are Often Underdiagnosed

The most frequent symptom of GERD, heartburn, is so common it may not be seen as part of a chronic disease (but it is).

Symptoms may also include frequent trouble swallowing, sore throat, coughing or hoarseness in the morning.

I recommend you first consult with a gastroenterologist who specializes in acid reflux diagnosis, treatment and disease management.

After performing tests to diagnose your case, your GI physician will prescribe:

· Medications and vitamin D

· Dietary changes

· Stress management techniques

· Portion control changes

· Smoking cessation

Heartburn Treatment Solutions in New Jersey

For some people, these traditional non-surgical treatment options are not successful. At that point, minimally invasive surgery to strengthen the barrier between the stomach and esophagus may be the optimal solution to dramatically improve--and even alleviate—chronic symptoms.

A laparoscopic surgery technique to treat GERD is called a “fundoplication” where the top part of the stomach is wrapped around the bottom of the esophagus to help strengthen the muscle in order to prevent it from allowing food and acid to come back up.

Learn more about how Dr. Seun treats GERD

To do this, I use a laparoscope, a thin tube with a tiny camera which I use to put through tiny incisions in your belly. The procedure usually takes a couple of hours to perform.

The procedure is performed as overnight stay surgery which allows most patients to go home the next morning after the procedure. Regular activities resume in about 10 days but, initially, there will be a soft, bland diet prescribed during the healing process.

Dr. Sowemimo specializes in advanced, minimally invasive surgery

Don’t Treat Chronic Heartburn with Over-the-Counter Medications

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms noted here, see your doctor to confirm the condition and begin medical treatment to relieve symptoms. As with any medical condition, act now, before the pain and discomfort grow into something more serious.

Partner with a GERD Surgeon Who Specializes in GI Surgery

If you have not been successful with treatment for your acid reflux, talk with your doctor about a minimally invasive, laparoscopic surgical solution.

“Dr. Seun” regularly performs GI surgery at top hospitals and surgicenters here in Central New Jersey and offers advanced expertise performing the safest, most advanced laparoscopic and general surgical operations.

For consultations, Dr. Sowemimo can be reached at Prime Surgicare located in Freehold in the Medical Arts Building at CentraState Medical Center by calling (732) 982-2002.