Not all surgical weight loss procedures are ideal for people with acid reflux disease. In fact, one surgical method could actually make the symptoms worse.

That’s just one of the findings of a comprehensive review by Frank Friedenberg, M.D., and colleagues at Temple University School of Medicine. After reviewing 87 research studies, they were surprised to find that gastric bypass is consistently more effective than laparoscopic banding, when it comes to improving symptoms tied to gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.


“The way the laparoscopic procedure is done, it creates a reservoir of acid at the top of the stomach, which actually can make acid reflux worse in some patients. So, even though they’ll lose weight, their GERD symptoms get worse.”


Friedenberg says people with GERD should consider avoiding the laparoscopic procedure, and look at other surgical methods for weight loss, or try the more traditional lower calorie diet. Data showed that the reduced caloric method reduced GERD symptoms and losing weight is important since obesity is tied to gastrointestinal health concerns.


Extra fat around the belly is much more than a “spare tire,” Friedenberg says. Obesity, especially excess abdominal fat measured by the waist-to-hip ratio, can actually lead to GERD and other serious digestive problems.


“It’s all about the distribution of the fat,” says Friedenberg. “Tummy fat puts pressure on the stomach and forces acid reflux content back into the esophagus.”


Friedenberg’s study also found that people with reflux disease were predisposed to developing Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer. His findings are published in the August issue of The American Journal of Gastroenterology.

To read the full study on GERD and obesity, click on the following link:
www.acg.gi.org/media/releases/AMJGastro-GERDandobesity.pdf.