Fundoplication

Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) is a condition where the acidic contents of your stomach leak back into your oesophagus. This irritates the lining and produces symptoms such as heartburn - which can be very painful. This is often worse when you are lying down.

Fundoplication is a surgical procedure used to treat severe gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). There are several variations in surgical procedures, but typically it involves wrapping the upper part of the stomach around the lower part of the oesophagus, creating a form of ‘valve’ that helps prevent stomach contents from flowing back into the oesophagus.

Benefits of the procedure

Having this procedure done by keyhole surgery reduces recovery time and length of hospital stay. The procedure aims to:

• Relieve symptoms of reflux (such as heart burn, regurgitation or vomiting) 
• Reduce the risk of strictures resulting from continued scarring by the acid 
• Stop the need for long-term acid suppression treatment (such as Omeprazole or Ranitidine)

How long will you be in the hospital?

This procedure is normally carried out as a day case or with an overnight stay.

When can you resume normal activities, including work?

It normally takes 7 to 14 days to recover at home and most people can return to their normal activities within 3 weeks.

Diet after the surgery

After the operation there will be some swelling around the entrance to your stomach. This will make the entrance more narrow than usual. Until the swelling goes down, the entrance to your stomach will be very small. It is important, therefore, not to eat foods that might get stuck.

You will need to eat more slowly and take longer to chew your food. Some patients experience difficulty in swallowing, stomach bloating (called gas bloat), increased passage of wind (flatulence), feeling full quickly (early satiety) and weight loss.

Most of these side effects are temporary and normally last up to 3 months.

You may also find that you are not able to burp or vomit easily after this operation. Long term side effects are uncommon. Occasionally, there can be a recurrence of reflux symptoms after a few years, though this is not common.

Eventually you should be able to go back to a normal healthy balanced diet once the swelling has gone down and you have seen your Consultant for a follow up appointment in clinic. After this time you can usually re-introduce solid foods gradually.

Here is a link to our post surgery dietary recommendations.