Why Gastric Sleeve Surgery might cure your Acid Reflux

Heart burn, or acid reflux is something virtually everyone experiences now and then and is generally no cause for alarm.  However, when you are obese, acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) becomes a chronic condition and is much more serious.  GERD is most commonly treated temporarily with antacids, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors (PPI), and other prescription medications.  However, we know from scientific studies that weight loss often permanently alleviates or permanently cures these types of gastrointestinal problems.

Acid reflux has to do with pressure.  When you are overweight, the weight of the belly pushes or squeezes on the stomach causing acid to travel up to the esophagus.  Sometimes excess belly weight can lead to a hiatal hernia, where part of the stomach bulges up into the upper part of the chest wall.  Hiatal hernias can disrupt the barrier between the stomach and the esophagus allowing stomach contents to flow back up.

We know through scientific data collected over many years and thousands of patients that Gastric Sleeve Surgery often permanently cure conditions such as acid reflux and GERD.  When you have Gastric Sleeve Surgery, your stomach is reduced by approximately 75%.  Research has shown that this type of surgery reduces appetite-inducing hormones that cause hunger.  Subsequently patients are able to lose weight much easier thus reducing excess pressure which stops acid reflux.  The medical benefits of Gastric Sleeve Surgery are known to be cures for acid reflux, sleep apnea, joint pain, high blood pressure, infertility, and the list goes on and on.  Type 2 diabetes can often go into remission with weight loss.  Obesity is often the cause of many chronic health conditions that often disappear completely  or are greatly diminished once patients have the sleeve.  If you have a hiatal hernia, Dr Kuri will repair it at the same time of your Gastric Sleeve Surgery for no additional cost.

For most people the decision to have Gastric Sleeve Surgery comes down to your overall health.  What is your overall health?  Is obesity causing you severe health problems?  Could your health conditions be improved or eliminated completely by having Gastric Sleeve Surgery?  We invite you to discuss these issues further with your patient facilitator, JoAnn Jackson, RN, BSN.  JoAnn herself has undergone both Lap-Band Surgery and Gastric Sleeve Surgery personally with Dr Kuri.  She has years of practical medical experience as an RN, BSN and can help advise and guide you.  

We love nothing more than to see our patients change their lives and thrive from surgery with Dr Kuri.  It is miraculous to see people struggling with such debilitating medical problems that often disappear in a year or less after surgery.  Even more incredible is the effect losing weight has on patients family members.  It is often a major game changer that improves not only the quality of life for the patient but for everyone around that person.  It takes a lot of courage and dedication, but your health and your family around you are worth it.