4 Reasons to Consider

You know that fiery chest pain that shows up uninvited after pizza night? That’s heartburn — and for some people, it’s not just an occasional guest — it’s a full-time resident. Here are the reasons to consider heartburn surgery for lasting relief.

When medications and lifestyle changes aren't enough, your doctor may recommend something a little more hands-on and long-term: heartburn surgery. The goal? To keep stomach acid in your stomach where it belongs.

Heartburn surgery, also known as Nissen fundoplication, is considered the gold standard of heartburn treatments. During the procedure, we wrap the top of your stomach around the lower esophagus, which helps keep acid from splashing back up.

The result? Less heartburn, fewer medications, better sleep, and less regret about eating your favorite late-night foods.

Find out which heartburn treatment is best for you by scheduling a consultation today with David Schumacher, MD, FACS, FASMBS, at Ohio Bariatrics and Laparoscopy in Springboro, Ohio, by phone or online.

Reasons to consider heartburn surgery

About 20% of people in the United States have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can be debilitating and cause complications when left untreated. Here are some reasons to undergo heartburn surgery at Ohio Bariatrics and Laparoscopy:

1. Long-term symptom relief

Heartburn surgery offers long-term symptom relief, including reductions in:

Heartburn
Bitter or sour taste in your mouth
Chest discomfort
Regurgitation of stomach acid
Cough
Sensation of a lump in your throat
Painful or difficult swallowing
Backwash
Nausea
Sore throat

If conservative treatments haven’t eased your symptoms, heartburn surgery may be the solution.

2. Lower risk of complications

In addition to bothersome symptoms you may experience because of GERD, complications could develop over time without treatment.

Examples include esophagitis (long-term esophagus inflammation), ulcers, narrowing of the esophagus, problems swallowing, asthma-like symptoms, and Barrett’s esophagus — a condition characterized by abnormal cells in your esophagus and a higher risk of esophageal cancer.

3. Hiatal hernia

If gastric reflux is caused by a hiatal hernia, Dr. Schumacher might recommend heartburn surgery to correct the problem. A hiatal hernia is a condition that develops when the top part of your stomach bulges above your diaphragm into your chest cavity. GERD surgery can fix this structural irregularity to relieve bothersome reflux symptoms.

4. Failed conservative treatments

If conservative GERD treatments haven’t worked, heartburn surgery may be the best option for long-lasting relief. Dr. Schumacher may first suggest trying lifestyle changes, such as:

Eating smaller meals
Not eating right before bed
Consuming fewer acidic foods
Losing weight
Exercising regularly
Not smoking or drinking alcohol

Other reflux-reducing lifestyle modifications include sleeping on your left side, wearing loose-fitting clothing, and trying over-the-counter or prescription medications.

If these non-surgical methods haven’t eased GERD discomfort, heartburn surgery might be the right next step.

Which GERD treatment is best for me?

Dr. Schumacher determines which GERD treatment is best by discussing your medical history and symptoms, completing a physical exam, reviewing your goals, and completing diagnostic tests.

He may order an esophagram (X-ray exam), upper endoscopy, esophageal manometry (test that measures esophagus muscle activity), pH testing, or other tests.

Have you tried other gastric reflux treatments without success? Consider heartburn surgery at Ohio Bariatrics and Laparoscopy. Contact us by phone or online today to get started.