Antireflux Procedures

Your body has a special muscle called the diaphragm that helps you breathe, and it separates your chest and your belly. Right where the diaphragm meets your stomach, there’s a small opening, like a little window. This opening lets your food tube (esophagus) go through and connect to your stomach.

Hiatal Hernia & Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Now, sometimes, a part of your stomach can slip up through this opening in the diaphragm and end up in your chest area. When this happens, it is called a “hiatal hernia.”

Hiatal hernias are usually not too serious and can cause things like heartburn or reflux. This would be an indication to have surgery to have it repaired to allow you to get back to your optimal quality of life without having to take daily antacids.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Sometimes GERD can occur without a hiatal hernia. GERD is when your stomach’s digestive juices, which include strong acids, sometimes flow back up into your throat and cause discomfort. This can lead to symptoms like heartburn, chest pain, pain with swallowing (dysphagia), or regurgitation. It’s like when the door between your stomach and throat doesn’t always stay closed properly, and some stomach stuff goes the wrong way. But don’t worry, there are treatments and lifestyle changes to help you feel better.

Hiatal Hernia Repair & Anti-Reflux Surgery

SADI-DS surgery is a two-part procedure. Here’s how it works:

Repositioning the Stomach:
If there is a hiatal hernia present, the surgeon gently moves your stomach back down to where it should be, in your belly.
Fixing the Hole:
The surgeon then closes the small hole in the diaphragm to keep your stomach from sneaking up again.
Fundoplication:
Imagine it’s like making a wrap with the top part of your stomach. This wrap strengthens the area where your stomach and esophagus meet, like adding extra support to a door so it stays closed.