GERD Surgery

If lifestyle changes or medication don’t control your gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ask your doctor about laparoscopic antireflux surgery at Ballad Health.

Treatments such as laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (also called lap Nissen) and transoral incisionless fundoplication surgery, which uses no incision, can bring you long-awaited relief from heartburn and acid reflux.

Because these procedures are minimally invasive, you’ll notice smaller scars, feel less pain and recover faster after surgery.

What Happens in Fundoplication Surgery?

Fundoplication wraps your upper stomach around the lower esophagus (the tube that food passes through on the way to your stomach). This makes it harder for stomach acid to back up into your esophagus and cause GERD.

To begin lap Nissen surgery, your doctor makes a small incision (cut) in the skin over your stomach area.

Then, he or she slides in a laparoscope – a tiny tube with a camera that shows the inside of your body.

The surgeon makes other small incisions for the surgical tools used to perform the procedure, which takes two to four hours.

Recovery After Surgery

After minimally invasive GERD surgery, you’ll likely stay in the hospital for two days. You might be able to go back to work and your everyday life in two or three weeks.