Acid Reflux Surgery in Central New Jersey
What is Acid Reflux Surgery?
Acid reflux surgery is designed to augment the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) or create a barrier to prevent the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. This will decrease the feeling of heartburn that you may have.
You don’t have to live with chronic acid reflux. For patients in central New Jersey, the team at Specialty Surgical Associates is here to help. Call 732-389-1331 today to schedule an appointment in Eatontown, or request an appointment through our secure online form.
Helping with GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition when there is frequent backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus. This can cause heartburn, regurgitation, and chest pain. Often, your physician will recommend lifestyle modifications or medication to help manage this condition. However, if these treatments are unsuccessful, you may be a candidate for acid reflux surgery.
Who May Benefit from an Acid Reflux Surgery?
You may be a candidate for acid reflux surgery if you:
- Have heartburn
- Experience regular chest pain
- Have hoarseness
- Desire to discontinue long-term use of acid-suppressing medications due to side effects or other concerns
- If you have GERD due to an enlarged hole in the diaphragm (hiatal hernia)
Talk to a GERD specialist at Specialty Surgical Associates about your symptoms to see if you are a candidate for this medical device. Most of the time, your physician will recommend other treatments before surgery.
How Does it Work?
Most people notice a significant decrease in acid reflux symptoms after the surgery.
During acid reflux surgery, the surgeon wraps the top of the stomach around the lower esophagus. This reinforces the lower esophageal sphincter, making it less likely that acid will back up in the esophagus. The procedure is called a fundoplication. There are different types of fundoplications named Dor, Toupet, and Nissen fundoplications. They vary in the amount of stomach used for the wrap.
It can be performed with tiny incisions and cameras or larger incisions to allow for greater access for larger instruments.
There are other types of acid reflux surgeries, depending on your condition. Most are out patient procedures, meaning you can go home to recover after surgery. Often, the surgery takes less than two hours. The surgeons at Specialty Surgical Associates tailor the wrap to each patient using a device called the EndoFLIP. It allows the surgeon to get real-time data about the functionality of the wrap. This makes the surgery custom to each patient. The surgeons at Specialty Surgical Associates have tremendous experience with this new technology that has improved patient outcomes.
Your surgeon may ask you to consume only liquids for a week or two after surgery and then gradually introduce soft foods.
Benefits of Acid Reflux Surgery
If you are considering acid reflux surgery, you may benefit from the following:
- Relief from symptoms
- Reduced dependence on medications
- Improved quality of life including improved sleep
- Prevention of inflammation of the esophagus or other related conditions
- Long-lasting relief
- Minimally-invasive options
- Addressing reflux can reduce future respiratory symptoms
By strengthening the lower esophageal sphincter or creating a barrier to prevent acid reflux, surgical interventions can provide long-term relief of symptoms and improve overall quality of life.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
If you’re seeking acid reflux surgery from a specialist in central New Jersey, contact Specialty Surgical Associates today to schedule a consultation in Eatontown. Give us a call at 732-389-1331 to get started, or request an appointment through our secure online form.
