October 19, 2020
When discussing gastric sleeve surgery with your weight loss doctors, they’ll probably tell you about the risks of acid reflux after the procedure. As per the recent studies, approximately 15 percent of people who have undergone sleeve gastrectomy surgery witness new or worsened acid reflux. Although your surgeon will emphasize reducing the chances of acid reflux after the surgery, if it happens, they suggest immediate actions and medications which keep you reflux-free and comfortable. Continuing further, let’s discuss how you can treat acid-reflux after sleeve gastrectomy surgery. Read on.
What Causes Reflux Post Sleeve Gastrectomy
The stomach is a balloon that freely inflates and deflates when it’s in its regular form before the sleeve gastrectomy surgery. It connects the lower esophageal sphincter or LES on the upper end that stops the acid from traveling to the esophagus. On the lower end of the stomach, the pyloric valve regulates the easy passage of food and liquid into the small intestine. During the procedure, the stomach is cut and the stomach is pressured, leaving the pyloric valve intact and the stomach significantly smaller. Although the decreased size of the stomach is highly conducive to weight loss, it does induce reflux in some individuals as the esophagus experiences greater pressure due to changes brought by the procedure.
Non-Surgical Treatment
While there is no recognized way to eliminate the chances of reflux after sleeve gastrectomy, your weight loss surgeon may generally recommend the treatment for hiatal hernia that involves the protrusion of the upper stomach through the diaphragm to reduce the risks of acid reflux to 20 percent. If this treatment method is followed, your doctor may also regular oral medication and changes in food habits to reduce any further complications.
What To Do When Reflux Still Persists
For patients who develop acid reflux even after the treatment of hiatal hernia may go for a LINX reflux management system, a minimally invasive, 45-minute procedure that involves a titanium-beaded LINX device. In this procedure, the LINX bracelet is wrapped around the lower esophageal sphincter to add pressure and stop stomach acid from refluxing into the esophagus. Some patients may also go for fundectomy in which weight loss doctors remove the excess stomach that may be present in the fundus area. If these are not good options, conversion to gastric bypass or duodenal switch may be the best option.
Wrap Up
The sleeve gastrectomy procedure, much like any other bariatric procedure, is prone to side effects in some cases. That being said, reaching out to your weight loss doctor and discussing your complications can help them guide you in the right direction. If you or a loved one are looking for minimally invasive weight loss procedures in Dallas, Fort Worth, and nearby locations, look no further than DFW Bariatrics and General Surgery, Dallas. Consult our team of general surgeons and weight loss specialists in Fort Worth. To schedule an appointment, click here or call us at +469-620-0222.