- How is the surgery done
- When surgery is indicated
- How is recovery
- What to eat after surgery
- Possible complications
- Warning signs to go to the doctor
Surgery for gastroesophageal reflux is indicated when treatment with medication and dietary care does not bring results, and complications such as ulcers or the development of Barrett's esophagus, for example, begin to appear. Therefore, it is only indicated after trying other types of treatment.
This surgery is done under general anesthesia and through small cuts in the abdomen, and the total recovery takes about 2 months, being necessary in the first weeks to feed only with liquids, which can lead to a light weight loss.
Check out the treatment options for reflux before surgery.
How is the surgery done
Reflux surgery usually serves to correct hiatal hernia, which is the main cause of esophageal reflux and, therefore, the doctor needs to make small cuts in the region between the stomach and esophagus to make the hernia correction.
Usually, the technique used is laparoscopy with general anesthesia, in which thin tubes are inserted through small cuts in the skin. The doctor is able to observe the inside of the body and perform the surgery through a camera placed on the end of one of the tubes.
When surgery is indicated
Reflux surgery is indicated when treatment with medication and diet does not bring results, but it can also depend on the time the patient has reflux, the intensity and frequency of symptoms, and the patient's willingness to be operated to solve the problem..
How is recovery
Recovery from reflux surgery is quick, with little pain and little risk of infection, and in general the patient is discharged 1 day after surgery and can return to work after 1 or 2 weeks.
However, for faster recovery, it is recommended:
- Avoid driving for at least 10 days; Avoid having intimate contact in the first 2 weeks; Do not lift weights and resume physical exercise only after 1 month or after the doctor's release; Take short walks at home throughout the day, avoiding sitting or lying down for a long time.
In addition, it is recommended to return to the hospital or go to the health clinic to treat the wounds from the surgery. In the first 2 days it is important to bathe only with a sponge to avoid wetting the dressings, as it increases the risk of infection.
During recovery, the doctor may also recommend the use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories or pain relievers, to reduce discomfort.
What to eat after surgery
Due to pain and difficulty swallowing, it is advisable to follow this type of scheme:
- Feed only with liquids during the 1st week, and may extend until the 2nd week, according to the patient's tolerance; Switch to a pasty diet from the 2nd or 3rd week, with the intake of well-cooked foods, purees, ground beef, fish and shredded chicken; Gradually start a normal diet, according to the doctor's tolerance and release; Avoid carbonated drinks during the first months, such as soft drinks and carbonated water; Avoid foods that produce gas in the intestine, such as beans, cabbage, egg, peas, corn, broccoli, onion, cucumber, turnip, melon, watermelon and avocado; Eat and drink slowly, to avoid bloating and stomach pain.
The feeling of pain and a full stomach can lead to weight loss due to the reduced amount of food eaten. In addition, it is also common to experience hiccups and excessive gas, and it may be necessary to take medicines like Luftal, to reduce these symptoms.
Check out how to eat a liquid or pasty diet to help your stomach recover.
Possible complications
Reflux surgery is very safe, especially when performed by laparoscopy, however, there is always a risk of complications such as bleeding, thrombosis in the lower limbs, infection at the cut site or trauma to the organs near the stomach. In addition, as anesthesia is required, complications related to anesthesia may also arise.
Depending on the severity, these complications may lead to the need for the person to be operated on again through conventional surgery, performed with a large cut in the abdomen, instead of the laparoscopic procedure.
Warning signs to go to the doctor
In addition to the return visit, you should see a doctor if there is:
- Fever above 38ºC; Severe pain, redness, blood or pus in the wounds; Frequent nausea and vomiting; Frequent tiredness and shortness of breath; Abdominal pain and persistent swelling.
These symptoms may indicate complications from surgery, and you should go to the emergency room to treat and prevent further complications.
To avoid the need for surgery, see what food should be like to treat reflux and the main home remedies used for this disease.
