Everything about Acid Reflux Surgery

Acid reflux surgery is often a last option for those with severe acid reflux. To those that have tried all other medicinal, as well as non-medicinal treatments available to control the painful acid reflux symptoms without success, acid reflux surgery might be an option. However, as with any surgery, one must understand the benefits, as well as the risks of the procedure. Surgery invariably comes with risks, and the decision to have surgery must be thoroughly evaluated for one's own sake.

To fully grasp the concept of acid reflux surgery, one must understand acid reflux itself. Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter is weak or "slow." This sphincter is a strong rim of muscles located between the stomach and esophagus. The esophagus is an organ which is a muscular tube that runs from the mouth to the esophagus. It is what brings typically food and drink to the stomach to be digested. The lower esophageal sphincter is intended to push the food from the esophagus into the stomach, and keep the food in the stomach while it is waiting to be digested. When the lower esophageal sphincter malfunctions, acid and food can escape the stomach and either lies in the esophagus, or is propelled up the esophagus into the mouth. This causes pain due to the esophagus's inability to handle the severe acidity of stomach acid.

It is preferable to exhaust all other acid reflux treatments before considering acid reflux surgery. This is usually done through lifestyle changes, as well as medication. Within lifestyle changes, the loss of excess weight, and changing one's diet are incurred. The medications used in treating acid reflux often neutralize or reduce the amount of acid that the stomach creates. If an individual is deemed non-compatible for surgery, these non-medicinal and medicinal treatments will still be utilized.

The Surgical Procedure

However, if an individual has been deemed compatible, and all other options have been attempted without relief, acid reflux surgery is an option. This is done through laparoscopy surgery. Laparoscopy surgery may sound familiar, as one of the common uses of this surgery is to tie the fallopian tubes in females, among other procedures. In acid reflux surgery, it is the stomach and esophagus that are affected. This procedure involves the upper stomach being folded, and wrapped around both sides of the lower esophagus. By adjusting the stomach and esophagus, the lower esophageal sphincter can again function properly by adjusting the pressure. In a successful acid reflux surgery, the patient will no longer feel the painful effects of acid reflux disease.

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