Acid reflux is a common condition that may occur when the stomach acid flows back into the esophagus and causes a feeling of ‘heartburn’. Scientific evidence increasingly points towards a complex relationship between obesity and acid reflux. Bariatric surgery to achieve weight loss can prove to be an effective solution to conditions such as acid reflux.
The Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery, led by Dr. Wiljon Beltre, provides state of the art surgical techniques to help patients lose weight and at the same time correct the body’s hormonal and metabolic imbalance in order to resolve conditions such as acid reflux. Dr. Beltre is a well-known bariatric surgeon providing cutting edge metabolic and weight loss procedures to patients in Orlando, Tampa, Maitland, Central Florida, and surrounding communities.
Obesity and Acid Reflux Linkage
While the precise causes of the occurrence of acid reflux are not fully determined till now, the link between acid reflux and obesity is become increasingly evident. When an individual has excess fat deposits around the abdominal area, it can put extra pressure on the stomach, which may cause or aggravate the condition of acid reflux.
Intragastric pressure is increased in overweight or obese patients, which can force open the lower esophageal sphincter and allow the escape of stomach acids. Hormonal changes resulting from obesity may have a role to play in the development of GERD as well. Bariatric surgery can enable a patient to get rid of excess weight or obesity, and regularize hormonal balance and metabolism, which can resolve acid reflux.
Challenges of Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is commonly marked by pain and discomfort in the stomach and throat, nausea, indigestion, and a bad taste in the mouth. Sleep disturbances may also be caused due to acid reflux. If left untreated, it can lead to more serious long-term consequences, including swallowing difficulties due to inflammation, development of sores and ulcers, and pre-cancerous changes to the esophagus.
How Weight Loss Surgery Can Help?
Temporary acid reflux conditions can be addressed with dietary changes and medications. But in case of obese people, particularly the ones who have a high amount of stomach fat, metabolic surgery is a permanent solution to acid reflux. This surgery will remove the excess belly fat, reduce pressure on the stomach, and resolve the symptoms of acid reflux over time in combination with a healthier diet program.
As an experienced bariatric surgeon, Dr. Beltre receives patients from Orlando, Tampa, Maitland, Central Florida, and nearby areas for weight loss and acid reflux treatment. Dr. Beltre also offers metabolic surgeries such as sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, which will alter the ways in which the body processes food. These changes can potentially support the reduction of acid reflux.
The smaller stomach pouch and the reduction in the volume of stomach acids in the pouch can help to reduce the severity of acid reflux following these surgeries. The reduction in digestive hormones and the anatomical changes that alter the passage of food through the digestive tract may also help to reduce acid reflux.
To find out more about the procedures & treatments performed by Orlando Bariatric Surgeon, Dr. Wiljon Beltre, at The Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery Call 321-499-6505 or Click Here to Schedule a Consultation.
Please note: If the weight is regained conditions could return.
