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Acid Reflux Surgery Side Effects

Acid reflux is a fairly common condition that most people have experienced at least once during their lives. But, for an unfortunate minority, acid reflux is a regularly occurring condition that results in such distress that medical measures need be taken. Where prescription medications fail, surgery is an option--just be aware of the possible side effects.

  1. Acid Reflux

    • According to MedlinePlus, Acid Reflux is a condition which can occur when the contents of the stomach travel partially backwards up the esophagus, irritating its lining and causing discomfort. Symptoms of this condition include heartburn, regurgitation, nausea, and the vomiting of food or blood.

    Acid Reflux Surgery

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, surgery is an option when all other treatments have failed, and the condition is so extreme that it unduly disrupts daily life. Surgery is generally an outpatient procedure, which consists of wrapping the upper portion of the stomach around the lower portion of the esophagus, making it far more difficult for food to travel in the wrong direction.

    Complications

    • There are a number of complications that can occur with surgery to correct acid reflux disease. Beyond the standard risk of developing a reaction to the anesthesia, there is a risk of bleeding during the procedure, a risk of damage to the esophagus, and a general long-term risk of difficulty in swallowing.

    Risk Factor

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, complications during the procedure itself occur at a relatively low level--around 2 percent to 4 percent of all surgeries. There is a risk of death during the procedure, but that occurs in only one out of every 500 cases. The most likely side effect is difficulty swallowing, which occurs 10 percent to 15 percent of the time. Supposedly, however, this difficulty swallowing goes away over time as you become used to the situation.

    Considerations

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, on balance, the risk of side effects is far outweighed by the potential benefit of the procedure. Where symptoms of acid reflux are so severe that surgery seems like the only option, the minimal risk of side effects should not dissuade you from taking an important step to improve your quality of life.

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