You sit down for a meal with friends to enjoy your favorite dishes, and suddenly, that familiar, uncomfortable, burning sensation starts creeping up your chest. You try to ignore it, hoping it will pass, but it doesn’t. Instead, it worsens, leaving you feeling miserable and unable to enjoy the moment. If this sounds all too familiar, you might be experiencing chronic acid reflux or GERD.
While occasional heartburn is common and can often be managed with lifestyle changes and medications, persistent symptoms might indicate a more severe problem. In such cases, surgical intervention could be necessary to provide lasting relief and prevent further complications. Let’s explore three key indicators that you might need acid reflux surgery.
1. Lifestyle changes aren’t effective
The first step in managing acid reflux often involves making lifestyle adjustments. These changes can sometimes be enough to control symptoms and improve your quality of life. You might have tried eating smaller, more frequent meals, avoiding food before bedtime, and steering clear of known trigger foods like alcohol, caffeine, citrus, tomatoes, chocolate, onions, and spicy foods. You may have also kept a food journal to identify and eliminate your triggers.
However, if you’ve implemented these changes and still find yourself struggling with frequent heartburn and discomfort, it could be a sign that lifestyle modifications alone aren’t sufficient to manage your condition. When conservative measures fail to provide relief, it’s time to consider other options, including surgery.
2. Medications aren’t working
For many people, over-the-counter and prescription medications can effectively manage acid reflux symptoms. Antacids neutralize stomach acid, while acid blockers reduce acid production, providing symptom relief. Your doctor might have recommended trying various combinations of these medications to see if they alleviate your discomfort.
Despite these efforts, if you continue to experience persistent heartburn, regurgitation, and other symptoms, it may indicate that medication alone isn’t addressing the underlying issue. Chronic use of acid-reducing medications can also lead to side effects and may not be a viable long-term solution for everyone. In such cases, surgical options like Nissen fundoplication or hiatal hernia repair can provide more definitive and lasting relief.
3. You have a hiatal hernia
GERD can sometimes be a result of a hiatal hernia, a condition where the upper part of your stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. Hiatal hernias often contribute to the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus, exacerbating GERD symptoms. While lifestyle changes and medications might offer temporary relief, they don’t address the root cause of the problem—a structural abnormality that often requires surgical intervention.
Hiatal hernias don’t heal on their own and can lead to worsening symptoms over time. If you’ve been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia and continue to suffer from severe acid reflux, repairing the hernia through surgery can significantly improve your symptoms. During the procedure, the surgeon repositions your stomach and tightens the diaphragm opening, reducing acid backflow and providing lasting relief from GERD.
What to expect with acid reflux surgery
If conservative treatments have proven ineffective and you experience persistent, painful symptoms, it may be time to explore surgical options. At NJ Advanced Surgical Solutions, Dr. Val Prokurat and his team specialize in advanced surgical techniques, including robotic-assisted procedures, to treat GERD and related conditions. Here’s an overview of the two primary surgeries used to address chronic acid reflux:
Nissen fundoplication
Nissen fundoplication is the most common surgical treatment for GERD. This minimally invasive procedure involves wrapping the upper part of the stomach around the lower esophagus to strengthen the esophageal sphincter. This prevents acid from flowing back into the esophagus, reducing heartburn and other symptoms. The surgery is performed using robotic instruments, ensuring precision and a faster recovery time.
Hiatal hernia repair
If a hiatal hernia is contributing to your GERD, surgical repair may be necessary. During this procedure, Dr. Prokurat repositions the stomach back into the abdominal cavity and tightens the diaphragm opening to prevent the hernia from recurring. This repair not only addresses the hernia but also helps reduce acid reflux symptoms by restoring the natural anatomy of the esophagus and stomach.
Final thoughts
Living with chronic acid reflux can be challenging and disruptive to your daily life. While lifestyle changes and medications can help many people manage their symptoms, they might not be enough for everyone. If you find that conservative treatments aren’t providing relief, it may be time to consider surgical options.
At NJ Advanced Surgical Solutions, Dr. Prokurat and our experienced team are dedicated to providing comprehensive care and advanced surgical solutions for patients with GERD. By addressing the root causes of acid reflux through minimally invasive procedures, we aim to help you regain control over your health. If you’re struggling with persistent acid reflux, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice and explore the surgical options available to you. For more information contact us today.