GERD is a condition that arises when you have damage to the valve that aids in the process of food transferring to your stomach from your esophagus. It prohibits acid and food from returning back up this tube. Patients who experience GERD often have heartburn and may regurgitate food and stomach acid on a regular basis. Patients who experience nighttime GERD may have disrupted sleep.

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery can alter your stomach and esophagus, so food and stomach acid don’t backtrack through your digestive tract.

The basis of this surgery has been around for over 50 years. During its time, it’s proven to be an effective method for correcting GERD. Time and advancements in technology have made the procedure safer and less invasive. Patients resume their normal daily activities much sooner than if they would have a traditional antireflux surgery.

You’ll have an appointment prior to your surgery. During this time, our surgeon determines if laparoscopic antireflux surgery is safe for you. We educate you on how you should prepare for your procedure. For instance, you’ll need to refrain from eating for 48 hours before your surgery. You’ll only be able to drink clear liquids during that time. Beginning at midnight on the day before your surgery, you won’t be able to eat or drink anything.

On the day of your procedure, we typically provide you with an anesthetic, so you won’t feel any pain. Usually, we administer a medication through your IV to keep you asleep during the surgery. A nurse will clean your abdomen to prevent any contamination. Our surgeon then makes a small incision in your abdomen. He’ll insert a small sterile tube in the incision in order to administer carbon dioxide to “puff up” the area. This helps our surgeon be able to see in your abdominal cavity better.

Next, our surgeon makes four or five small incisions where he places different instruments. Then, he repositions the stomach back into the abdomen. He wraps the upper portion of your stomach around your esophagus. This provides reinforcement for the lower section of your esophagus. It acts as a valve that prevents food and stomach acid from returning up the esophagus.

Once complete, our surgeon places sutures in the area to ensure the stomach and esophagus remain in position. Finally, our surgeon cleanses the areas, removes the tools, and closes all of the incisions.

One of the main benefits of this surgery is that you only have small incisions. Therefore, you heal faster and tend to have less pain than you would if you underwent traditional antireflux surgery. You’re only in the hospital for a short time, typically two nights. If you had a standard surgery for GERD, you may find yourself in the hospital for several nights. You have less scarring after the surgery in addition to less of a risk of infection. For more information about our Gastrointestinal Services, contact us or schedule an appointment. We are conveniently located at 240 East 13th Street Merced, CA 95341.