GERD
For many patients, lifestyle changes and medications don't provide effective treatment for this condition.
Find out how surgical treatment of GERD at our Plano, TX, practice can reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life...
Why Undergo
Surgical Treatment for GERD?
Heartburn Relief
If you experience a burning pain in the chest that is often worse after eating or laying down twice a week or more, and non-surgical treatment has failed, you may benefit from surgical intervention at Texas Center for Bariatrics & Advanced Surgery in Plano.
More Effective Relief for All GERD Symptoms
Many patients find that changes to their diet and the use of medications don't completely relieve their GERD symptoms. Surgical treatment can effectively prevent the full range of symptoms, including regurgitated stomach contents, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, bad breath, and dental damage.
Reduced Need for Medications
The long-term use of heartburn and acid reflux medications isn't ideal, especially if they don't completely address your symptoms or improve your condition. By undergoing surgery for gastroesophageal reflux, you can experience long-lasting relief without the use of medications.
Improved Sleep
By relieving symptoms such as acid reflux, cough, sore throat, and heartburn, patients can enjoy deep uninterrupted sleep. A better night's sleep offers health benefits, can make you more productive during the day, and can improve your mood.
Reduced Risk of Related Health Problems
The presence of GERD can increase the risk of other health problems such as esophageal cancer. By performing surgery to prevent stomach acids from irritating or changing the esophagus or esophageal lining, we can reduce the risk of esophageal cancer, pulmonary, sinus, and oral issues.
Getting Rid of Heartburn With Hiatal Hernia Surgery
Our Plano, TX, surgeons can treat heartburn and other potential effects of a hiatal hernia through laparoscopic surgery either performed on its own or at the same time as a bariatric procedure. Solutions include reflux repair and gallbladder removal. Let’s get to work on a custom plan.
Contact Us for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Treatment
Dr. Joseph Cribbins is an experienced surgeons certified by the American Board of Surgery. Dr. Cribbins has been in practice since 2001. He performs surgery for reflux patients using advanced Da Vinci robotic assisted techniques, which offer excellent results and an easier recovery than traditional surgical techniques.
If you suffer from chronic reflux, schedule an appointment at Texas Center for Bariatrics & Advanced Surgery. Contact us online or call us at:
(214) 501-1333
Read Reviews
from Our Patients
Sabrina S.
October 2019
Dr. Cribbins and his staff are amazing. They truly care about their patients and take amazing care of us. Highly recommended!
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Chanade B.
October 2019
Excellent doctor. His staff is very professional and always available. Very pleased with my surgery, I’m six days post op and have not had any complications. My scars are also healing up nicely. I would definitely recommend this office.
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What Is
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease?
Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter opens to allow foods and liquids to move to the stomach, and then it closes. In patients with reflux, the esophageal sphincter weakens or opens abnormally, allowing stomach acids or contents to move into the esophagus and irritate its lining.
Patients who suffer from acid reflux and heartburn twice a week or more may have gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Non-surgical
Treatment
Before proceeding with surgery, patients should try making changes to their lifestyle and medications to see if these improve their reflux symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes
Some of the risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux include obesity and certain foods and drinks. As a more conservative initial approach to treatment, patients should try weight counseling to reach a healthier weight.
In addition, patients should eat smaller meals, and avoid consuming foods and beverages such as alcohol, carbonated beverages, citrus fruits, and spicy foods. These lifestyle changes can reduce acid reflux and prevent irritation to the esophagus.
Medications
Medications for GERD include H2-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors to reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach:
- H2-receptor antagonists inhibit stomach acid production and include drugs such as Zantac®, Tagamet®, and Pepcid®.
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most potent inhibitors of acid secretion, and include Nexium®, Protonix®, and Prilosec®.
Surgical
Treatment
At Texas Center for Bariatrics & Advanced Surgery, we can improve your esophageal health with minimally invasive surgical treatment using laparoscopic and robotic techniques.
Nissen Fundoplication
This surgery has been successfully used to treat GERD for decades. During fundoplication surgery, we can restore the function of the esophageal sphincter. This is accomplished by wrapping the upper portion of the stomach (the fundus) around the lower area of the esophagus. This prevents stomach acids and foods from refluxing back into the esophagus.
This surgery is performed using the laparoscopic approach, which results in less pain and scarring, a quicker recovery, and a reduced risk of infection.
Traditional fundoplication can also be used to treat hiatal hernia, a condition that is common among GERD patients.
Does Insurance Cover Reflux Surgery?
Health care insurance covers this procedure for patients that suffer from GERD. The individual patient's out-of-pocket costs will depend on the type of coverage and deductible.
During your consultation at Texas Center for Bariatrics & Advanced Surgery in Plano, a member of our team will check your insurance plan and let you know if you will be responsible for any out-of-pocket costs.
Check Out Our Patient Reviews
Mandy Culpepper
2021
Dr. Cribbins is very professional and takes his time explaining everything! His office staff is AMAZING always willing to go out of their way to help! I recommend this office to everyone I know!!
View on GoogleJenna Nix
2021
I had the best experience one can have while having to undergo an operation. Dr Cribbins and all of his staff were incredibly warm, friendly, supportive, and helpful throughout my entire process. I felt like each person I talked with at Dr Cribbins office truly cared about my well being and worked to make my experience pleasant and smooth. Dr Cribbins is wonderful, he's kind, caring, patient (I asked a million questions and he never made me feel rushed) and he is an excellent surgeon. I experience severe nausea with anesthesia but because of Dr Cribbins caring personality, he responded to my nausea concerns with genuine concern and worked with the anesthesiologist and I had absolutely zero side effects from the anesthesia. It was incredible. I had an open hernia repair, my incision looks amazing, I had hardly any post operative pain and the recovery was easier than I expected. I cannot recommend Dr Cribbins enough.
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