When surgery is worth considering
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) causes heartburn and regurgitation when stomach acid moves up into the oesophagus. Many people are well controlled with lifestyle changes and acid-suppressing medication. Surgery offers an effective, lasting solution when:
- Symptoms persist despite regular medication, or return as soon as it is stopped
- Regurgitation of food or fluid is the main problem, which medication does not control
- There is a hiatal hernia, particularly a large one
- You would prefer not to take medication for the rest of your life
- Reflux has caused inflammation or narrowing of the oesophagus
Assessment before surgery
Careful investigation is the foundation of good treatment. Preoperative testing typically includes gastroscopy, and oesophageal pH testing and manometry are arranged when clinically indicated. These tests confirm that reflux is the cause of your symptoms, measure how well the oesophagus moves and help your surgeon choose the right operation.
The operations
- Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (full wrap): the top of the stomach is wrapped around the lower oesophagus to rebuild the valve
- Laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication (partial wrap): a partial wrap, chosen when oesophageal function is weaker
- Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair, including repair of large (massive) hiatal hernias
- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for reflux in patients with obesity (BMI over 35), where it treats both problems
All are performed by keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic at St George's Hospital and Southern Cross Hospital.
Motility and swallowing disorders are also assessed and treated. Achalasia is treated with laparoscopic Heller myotomy, and the practice offers the full range of oesophageal function tests, including high-resolution manometry, catheter pH testing and the 72-hour BRAVO capsule.
Recovery after anti-reflux surgery
Most patients stay one to two nights in hospital and return to work in about two weeks. A soft diet is followed for the first weeks while the wrap settles, and some temporary difficulty swallowing or bloating is common early on and usually resolves. Your surgeon will explain what to expect and review you after surgery.
Where to start
Send a request through this page or call the rooms on 03 375 4949. Bring a list of your medications and any previous gastroscopy reports. No GP referral is required.
