Advantages of Choosing Our Surgical Team for Your Anti-Reflux Procedure

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition where the strong acids in your stomach that are used to digest food make their way back up into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation (heartburn or acid indigestion), a hoarse voice, a sore throat, asthma-like symptoms, and difficulty swallowing.

GERD is usually caused by a problem with the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a muscle that normally remains tightly shut during digestion. However, if the muscle weakens and cannot close tightly, the acid can move into the esophagus, causing uncomfortable symptoms.

Without treatment, GERD damages the esophageal tissue, leading to inflammation and a condition called Barrett's esophagus, where the cells change and become cancerous in up to 7% of patients.

At Advanced Surgical Associates of Northern Minnesota, board-certified general surgeon Dr. John Bollins and his staff perform anti-reflux surgery on patients with GERD whose condition isn't improved by medication and lifestyle changes alone. Here, the team talks about the advantages they bring to the procedure to ensure a successful outcome.

First lines of treatment for GERD

Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications are available to help control the acid flow and prevent it from damaging your tissues. They include:

Antacids that neutralize stomach acid

OTC antacids that contain calcium carbonate, including Mylanta, Rolaids, and Tums, can provide quick relief. However, they can’t heal an inflamed esophagus damaged by stomach acid, and overuse may lead to side effects like diarrhea or sometimes kidney complications.

Medicines to reduce acid production

Known as histamine (H-2) blockers, these medications can be OTC or by prescription and include cimetidine (Tagamet HB), famotidine (Pepcid AC), and nizatidine (Axid). H-2 blockers don't work as quickly as antacids, but they provide longer-lasting relief and may decrease acid production for up to 12 hours.

Medicines that block acid production and heal the esophagus

Called proton pump inhibitors, these medications are stronger acid blockers than H-2 blockers and allow time for damaged esophageal tissue to heal.

In addition to medication, people whose GERD affects them primarily at night are advised to raise the head of their bed. The incline prevents the acid from moving back up the esophagus. Losing weight, if you’re too heavy, can also improve symptoms.

Surgical treatment for GERD

If medications alone can’t control your GERD symptoms, you may be a candidate for surgery. At Advanced Surgical Associates of Northern Minnesota, we use either a minimally invasive technique or a robot-assisted procedure with the da Vinci® Surgical System.

The procedure is called fundoplication. Through very small incisions, the surgeon wraps the top of the stomach around the LES, tightening the muscle and thereby preventing reflux. The wrapping can be either partial or complete, known as Toupet fundoplication and Nissen fundoplication, respectively. The surgeon recommends the type that is best for you.

Advantages of choosing our surgical team

Advanced Surgical Associates of Northern Minnesota is a single-surgeon private practice led by Dr. Bollins, whose team also includes a certified surgical first assistant and a medical assistant—both of whom moved to private practice to provide more patient-centered care.

We’re not beholden to any corporate entity, which means we spend more time with our patients, coming to know them personally as well as medically. We can also follow up on their care even when they’re not in the office.

For surgical procedures like the anti-reflux surgery, we make a concerted effort to pair the patient with the right facility, one that often handles their particular condition and has a proven track record of success. We know this will be a place where they’ll feel comfortable and where all their needs will be addressed.

If you’re dealing with acid reflux or a full-on case of GERD, schedule a consultation with Advanced Surgical Associates of Northern Minnesota to find out how we can help you feel better quickly. Call our office in Hibbing, Duluth, or Ely, Minnesota, or book your appointment online.

We proudly accept Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, HealthPartners, Humana, UCare, Medica, and SecurityHealthPlan.