Surgical Healing Arts Center can treat your GERD and heartburn
Over half of morbidly obese individuals have GERD
This is related to relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter with or without the presence of a hiatal hernia. Obesity is associated with increased intra-abdominal pressure leading to increased pressure at the gastro-esophageal junction and the higher the BMI, the higher the risk of GERD.
Weight loss can lead to a reduction in intra-abdominal pressure which decreases acid production and increases the rate of gastric emptying which improves symptoms of reflux. 1/3 of patient will still have symptoms, another 1/3 note improvement, and the final third can develop reflux. It is important to have an appropriate evaluation by a bariatric surgeon when choosing your bariatric surgery. If you have severe reflux prior to weight loss, the best bariatric procedure is the gastric bypass which creates a small gastric pouch with very few acid producing cells while the acid producing portion of the stomach is now disconnected from the esophagus.