5 Benefits of GERD Surgery
Have you been considering gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) surgery for a while, but have been unsure if it was time to act? Today, we’re going to share with you the top five benefits of this type of procedure and answer all of your questions. Let’s get started so you can make a well-informed decision for your own health.
What Are the Benefits of GERD Surgery?
#1: Get Immediate Relief
The best benefit for patients is the immediate relief that surgery will give you. There will be some healing your body will need to do, as with any surgery. However, once you’re healed, you’ll be able to tell the difference every time you eat and every time you go to bed.
#2: Toss Your Medication
Perhaps one of the biggest benefits is that you can likely wave goodbye to your reflux medication after surgery. Approximately only 4-5% of patients will still need medication of some kind; in these cases, medication can be severely decreased, leading to lower risk of dietary complications (like malabsorption).
#3: Prevent Complications
Acid reflux isn’t just a pesky symptom of GERD – it’s constant irritation and damage to the esophagus. Left untreated (and no, medications don’t completely solve the problem – stomach enzymes don’t get neutralized by medications), reflux and silent reflux can lead to very serious complications, like Barrett's esophagus, esophageal strictures, and even respiratory issues.
#4: Improve Your Quality of Life
Imagine being able to sleep, bend over, and lift things without getting heartburn. Imagine being able to eat your favorite foods, spicy or not. Since reflux surgery fixes GERD at its source, you’ll be able to do all the things you love again!
#5: Work With Professionals to Get What You Need
Our very own Dr. Donovan Tapper handles our GERD surgeries, and he offers a couple of different options. He specializes in laparoscopic treatments for GERD, leading to smaller scars and quicker recovery times. The Lap Nissen fundoplication and the LINX system are two commonly used procedures that Dr. Tapper is fluent in. When you chat with our team, our surgeons will recommend the procedure that is best for you.
Note: It’s important to keep in mind that your insurance may have hoops for you to jump through in order to get coverage for reflux surgery, so come to your appointment armed with this information.
Is Surgery the Best Option for Acid Reflux for Me?
In order to get a hard-and-fast answer to this question, you’ll want to talk to one of our specialists. However, there are six signs you should look out for:
6 Signs It May Be Time for Acid Reflux Surgery
Is Acid Reflux Surgery Worth It?
If you’re struggling with reflux on a daily basis or are dependent on medication to get through the day, reflux surgeries are absolutely worth it. Even though you may be managing your symptoms, the root problem has not been addressed. The only reason we wouldn’t recommend surgery for you is if you do not tolerate anesthesia well or you are at high risk of complications under anesthesia.
Ready to get your life back? Contact one of our offices today →