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Reflux: Non-Surgical Options

BMI Surgical Institute Acid Reflux

LINX Surgery Atlanta

What Are
Non-Surgical Options For Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux, or “gastroesophageal reflux (GER),” is a condition in which your stomach contents come back up into your esophagus.

Stomach acid that touches the lining of your esophagus can cause heartburn, also called acid indigestion. This condition may be referred to many different names such as; RefluxHeartburnAcid RegurgitationAcid Reflux, or Acid Indigestion.

Acid Reflux Treatment Without Surgery

At BMI Surgical Institute a Non-Surgical approach to Acid Reflux (GERD) is possible. Each person varies in their level of GERD. That being said you may be able to control Acid Reflux in the following ways:

Acid Reflux Treatment Options in Atlanta

What if Non-Surgical Option For Reflux Surgery isn’t For Me?

Your Bariatric and General Surgery team at BMI Surgical Institute’s location in Atlanta will provide you with alternatives if non-surgical treatment is not appropriate for you.

There are several avenues in which you may be educated on and those are:

Incisionless Therapy Vs Surgical Procedures (Incision)

Surgical

Procedures For Acid Reflux

An alternative to non-surgical treatment of acid reflux at BMI Surgical Instutite includes Surgical Intervention. 

The goal of these treatment options – as with the Incisionless Therapy – is to strengthen the EGV however here – WITH incisions.

Surgical Therapy For Acid Reflux at BMI Surgical in Atlanta:

 

Incisionless Therapy For Acid Reflux

Therapy For Acid Reflux

An alternative to non-surgical treatment of acid reflux at BMI Surgical Instutite includes Incisionless Therapy. 

It is at this stage that the goal of treatment includes procedures strengthen the EGV without incisions.

These two procedures are:

1. Transoral incisionless fundoplication

2. Stretta

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ACID REFLUX OPTIONS?

Our team of doctor’s dedicated to you at BMI Surgical may recommend surgery if your GERD symptoms fail to improve with lifestyle changes or medicines mentioned above.

It is important to note: patient’s are more likely to develop complications from surgical interventions than from medications.

The Fundoplication is the most common surgery for GERD and in most cases, it leads to long-term acid reflux control.

How are these non-surgical interventions for acid reflux performed?

The surgeon performs fundoplication using a laparoscope, which is a thin tube harnessed to a tiny video camera.

During the fundoplication, a surgeon sews the top of your stomach around your esophagus. This allows additional pressure to the lower end of your esophagus and as a result, reduces reflux.

A Fundoplication performed by the surgeon is done at a hospital with general anesthesia.

The recovery period in the hospital (your hospital stay) is one to three days. Daily activity usually resumes two to three weeks after surgery. 

Endoscopic techniques, such as endoscopic sewing and radiofrequency, help control GERD in a small number of people.

Endoscopic sewing uses small stitches to tighten your sphincter muscle.

Radiofrequency creates heat lesions, or sores, that help tighten your sphincter muscle.

A surgeon performs both operations using an endoscope at a hospital or an outpatient center, and you receive general anesthesia.

The results for endoscopic techniques may not be as good as those for fundoplication. Doctors don’t use endoscopic techniques often.

Ask A Question!

Acid Reflux (GERD) FAQs

Even though not every will experience these risks, it is important to note that medications prescribed for acid reflux have been note to carry several risks such as dementia, stomach cancers, bowel infections etc.

Long term use of these medications is currently not recommended. Furthermore, the FDA now requires these medications to carry black warning label.

Eating healthy and balanced amounts of different types of foods is good for your overall health. 

If you’re overweight or obese, talk with your doctor or a dietitian about dietary changes that can help you lose weight and decrease your GERD symptoms.

You can prevent or relieve your symptoms from gastroesophageal reflux (GER) or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by changing your diet.

You may need to avoid certain foods and drinks that make your symptoms worse. Other dietary changes that can help reduce your symptoms include:

1. Decreasing fatty foods
2. Eating small, frequent meals instead of three large meals

As mentioned above, avoid eating or drinking the following items that may make GER or GERD worse:

1. chocolate
2. coffee
3. peppermint
4. greasy or spicy foods
5. tomatoes and tomato products
6. alcoholic drinks