Reflux After Bariatric Surgery

REFLUX AFTER

BARIATRIC SURGERY

We strive to provide our patients with a complete understanding of the benefits, as well as the side effects and complications involved with each of the procedures we offer. Some life-saving bariatric surgeries, such as gastric sleeve surgery, can cause gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

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What is GERD?

In a healthy body, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that allows food to enter and remain in the stomach, prevents food from returning to the esophagus, located just before the stomach in the digestive tract. When someone has GERD, the LES does not close properly after food travels through the esophagus. This allows stomach acid to back up through their digestive tract, causing pain and discomfort. People who have GERD also feel a burning in the chest, also known as "heartburn."


Symptoms of acid reflux:


  • Chest pain
  • Pain in the upper abdomen
  • Bloating
  • Frequent belching
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • If you have had a bariatric procedure and are experiencing these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
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Why can bariatric surgery make GERD worse?

Large, heavy meals are often the culprit for acid reflux. Because bariatric surgery reduces the size of a patient's stomach, the less food a patient's stomach can process at any given time, the more likely acid reflux is to occur. In cases such as these, acid reflux can be prevented by eating more slowly, taking time to chew and portion control. It will take some time to adjust to the decreased sensation of appetite and satiety. In some cases, your doctor may provide medication for acid reflux.

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Preventing GERD

If you have a history of acid reflux, your doctor will recommend weight-loss surgery that will be less likely to worsen the effects of your GERD. Be sure to discuss all of your medical conditions with your doctor during your consultation.


Every bariatric surgery has benefits and risks associated with it - achieving a healthy weight is possible!

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