Surgery

So you’ve done all the medical therapies and your symptoms are still bothersome. You’ve gone through the appropriate testing. We know that your esophagus clears appropriately, but let’s say your lower esophageal sphincter pressure, that muscle that separates the stomach from the esophagus is kind of weak. Then you are a physician after doing the appropriate tests of the muscles, the menomatries, the Ph studies may refer you to a surgeon for evaluation for what we call a fundoplication. Fancy term. But basically what it means is that they’ll use a laparoscope, make some small incisions in the area, and then surgically reinforce the muscle in the lower part of your esophagus, that sphincter. So now your sphincter has better tone. So when you reflux stomach acid, your sphincter is stronger. The likelihood of an acid bolus injuring your esophagus is reduced, and that can drastically improve your symptoms. Now, naturally, you still have to do some things to help yourself exercise, eat smart, and lose weight when appropriate.