This is a very controversial topic. After gastric sleeve surgery, several centers observed an increase in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). On the other hand, other reports revealed a reduction in GERD cases. Overall, antacid drugs and lifestyle adjustments may alleviate heartburn following gastric sleeve surgery. In addition, to address reflux, doctors rarely have to convert the gastric sleeve to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (less than 1 percent in most reported series).
In our experience, many of our patients experienced decreased reflux following gastric sleeve surgery. According to the published studies, one of the reasons people suffer reflux following gastric sleeve surgery is a retained fundus (the upper part of the stomach).
Our physicians at Mediranco pay diligent attention to this stage of the treatment to ensure that the whole fundus of the stomach is removed during gastric sleeve surgery.