Medical glossary · Digestive system

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD is the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus. It can cause heartburn, pain or a chronic cough.

Definition

Reflux happens when acid repeatedly flows back from the stomach into the esophagus. It can influence the choice of bariatric procedure, especially when comparing a sleeve gastrectomy with a gastric bypass.

Why it matters

Severe reflux can make some procedures unsuitable for some patients, so it should be assessed before bariatric surgery.

Related pages

Common questions

Is a sleeve gastrectomy suitable for reflux patients?

Not always. Some reflux patients need a careful assessment, and another procedure may be more suitable depending on symptom severity and test results.

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