Top 7 Tips to Prevent Hernia Recurrence After Surgery
You’ve already undergone surgery to repair your hernia, and it’s certainly not something you want to go through again. Here are some best practices to help prevent hernia recurrence.
4 Signs It's Time to Consider a Nissen Fundoplication for GERD
Thanks to your gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), life isn’t as pleasant as it could be. Between losing sleep due to heartburn and the ongoing regurgitation and nausea that plagues you, you’d really like to find a workable solution to ease your digestive symptoms.
You’re certainly not alone in this search for a solution for ongoing GERD — the condition affects about one-third of the population.
While many people with GERD can manage it without surgery, some require this intervention, which is where the skilled team at Rockwall Surgical Specialists comes in. More specifically, we often turn to a type of reflux surgery called a Nissen fundoplication. Let’s look at who makes a good candidate for the Nissen fundoplication for GERD treatment.
Nissen fundoplication at a glance
When you have GERD, the connection point between your stomach and esophagus — your lower esophageal sphincter — is malfunctioning. The sphincter isn’t closing all the way, allowing stomach acids to get into your sensitive esophagus and leading to the troubling symptoms you’ve been dealing with.
Very briefly, during a Nissen fundoplication, our surgeons take a piece of the top part of your stomach (your fundus) and wrap it around your lower esophageal sphincter to re-establish a barrier between your stomach and your esophagus.
Here are four signs that you may be a good candidate for the Nissen fundoplication.
1. When medications fail to treat your GERD
One of the frontline treatments for GERD are medications, including:
- Antacids to control the symptoms of acid reflux
- H2 blockers to reduce the amount of acid produced in your stomach
- Proton pump inhibitors to reduce stomach acids and repair esophageal tissues
If you’re reading this, it’s a good bet that you’ve tried these medications but they’re no longer working, or perhaps they never did. At this point, you might need to put reflux surgery on the table.
2. When lifestyle changes can’t manage your GERD
Aside from medications, there are other, effective steps you can take to manage GERD, such as:
- Losing weight — obesity is a leading cause of GERD
- Sleeping with your head and chest elevated
- Avoiding foods that trigger stomach acids
- Rearranging your eating habits and times — grazing instead of diving into large meals and not eating before bed
- Quitting smoking
If you’ve tried all of these but your GERD symptoms still persist, it may be time to explore a surgical solution.
3. You’ve developed ulcers
If you’ve been taking medications for your GERD and you’ve also made some lifestyle changes, yet you’ve still developed ulcers, a Nissen fundoplication might be the next logical step.
4. You’re at risk for Barrett’s esophagus
One of the complications of chronic GERD is Barrett’s esophagus, a condition in which the tissues lining your esophagus change, becoming more like those that line your small intestine. This occurs in response to chronic stomach acid exposure, and the change in tissues leaves you more at risk for esophageal cancer.
When this occurs, it’s important that we limit the stomach acid exposure. A Nissen fundoplication can do just that.
Schedule a GERD consultation
The best way to figure out if surgery is the next step in managing your problematic GERD is to schedule a comprehensive evaluation with one of our team members.
To set that in motion, we invite you to call us at 972-412-7700 or connect with us online to set up an appointment. We have conveniently located offices in Rockwall, Rowlett, Greenville, Terrell, and Forney, Texas.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Understanding the Laparoscopic Colon Surgery Process
Each year in the United States, surgeons perform more than 600,000 colon procedures — and most use laparoscopic techniques whenever available. Here’s a closer look at what happens during minimally invasive colon surgery.
4 Tips to Ease Your Recovery From Hernia Surgery
You waited as long as you could, but it’s time to have us surgically repair a hernia that’s been giving you some problems. To make sure your recovery goes smoothly, focus on these best practices.
No, You Don’t Need a Gallbladder
Each year in the United States, surgeons remove around 300,000 gallbladders, and life goes on for each of these patients. While you can lead a perfectly normal life without a gallbladder, you should make one important health tweak.
Is It Time for Your Colonoscopy?
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, so it’s an excellent opportunity to determine whether you’re due for the best screening option available — a colonoscopy. Let’s take a look at the up-to-date recommendations.
Why Your Weight and BMI Are Important Barometers of Your Overall Health
The weight crisis in the United States is serious — and it’s predicted to get worse in coming years — so it’s important to understand the impact that carrying excess pounds can have on your overall health.