By EKalman October 27, 2023 - 1:22am

Many people who have weight loss surgery report that they have considerably more frequent heartburn. Although heartburn is usually not a cause for concern, in the long run, it might be a sign of acid reflux.

Managing acid reflux after bariatric surgery is difficult, especially if it interferes with your ability to eat. This article discusses what causes acid reflux after bariatric surgery and how to treat it.

What Is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux was originally used to define gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The symptoms are produced by stomach acid rising into the esophagus during digestion.

The most common symptom is painful and persistent heartburn, which usually occurs after a meal. However, simply having heartburn does not imply that you have GERD. Heartburn can be produced by just eating a large, fatty meal or by eating very hot or acidic food. People who suffer from GERD, on the other hand, should be much more cautious, as acid reflux into the esophagus can wear down the esophageal lining. This is related to an increased risk of esophageal cancer and may require more serious medical intervention if not managed correctly.

Why Do People Get Acid Reflux After Bariatric Surgery?
GERD symptoms are caused by a weaker lower esophageal sphincter, which can lead to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. Most bariatric surgeries reduce the volume of the stomach, either by removing sections of it or by creating a tiny pouch within the stomach to hold food. When the stomach is made smaller, it takes less food to generate pressure within the stomach. This can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to reflux into the esophagus.

Not everyone experiences GERD symptoms following bariatric surgery. However, it can be a painful and vexing experience for those who do.

How Can I Manage My Acid Reflux After Bariatric Surgery?
GERD has no known cure and can be an extremely uncomfortable condition to live with. Fortunately, you have alternatives for managing your GERD symptoms.

The most important consideration is your nutrition. After bariatric surgery, you must eat a considerably more restricted diet than you did before the surgery. Eating the wrong foods is likely to aggravate your acid reflux.

Avoid greasy, spicy, excessively acidic, and fried foods. If you avoid these foods, your flare-ups will be far less frequent. You should also avoid drinking alcohol and fizzy drinks and limit your intake of caffeinated beverages. These can also cause flare-ups.

When it comes to diet, you'll want to keep note of your acid reflux flare-ups and a food diary. This allows you to determine which foods or combinations trigger your symptoms. You should also understand the significance of post-op bariatric surgery treatment and follow-ups. Tell your doctor if you have GERD symptoms and what you've been consuming.

The second thing to remember is to do everything possible to reduce additional risk factors. Quitting smoking, avoiding tight-fitting clothing, and not eating too soon before going to bed can all help minimize your risk of acid reflux.

If you suffer occasional heartburn due to acid reflux, you will unlikely require daily medication to treat the problem. However, a change in diet or weight loss may still be needed to keep the situation under control. Any health issues should still be discussed with your doctor so that therapy can be monitored and tailored to your specific requirements.

One thing to keep in mind is that GERD symptoms usually improve as you lose weight. If you've already lost most or all of the excess weight predicted to come off following surgery and still suffer GERD symptoms, you should keep losing weight until you reach a normal BMI (20-25).