Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a common digestive disorder in which stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, chest discomfort, and chronic cough. Obesity is a major risk factor for GERD due to increased intra-abdominal pressure, delayed gastric emptying, and weakened lower esophageal sphincter function.

In obese individuals, excess abdominal fat increases pressure on the stomach, promoting acid reflux into the esophagus. Over time, chronic reflux can damage the esophageal lining, leading to complications such as esophagitis, strictures, Barrett’s esophagus, and increased cancer risk.
While GERD is often managed with lifestyle modification and medications, symptoms in obese patients are frequently persistent or recurrent. Bariatric surgery plays a unique role in managing GERD, but careful procedure selection is essential, as different bariatric surgeries have varying effects on reflux.

Certain procedures, such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, are highly effective in improving or resolving GERD symptoms by reducing acid production and rerouting food away from the acid-producing portion of the stomach. Other procedures may require careful evaluation in patients with significant reflux.
Bariatric surgery reduces abdominal pressure, improves gastric emptying, and leads to sustained weight loss, all of which contribute to long-term reflux control.

Many patients experience reduced dependence on acid-suppressing medications following surgery.
Pre-operative evaluation includes detailed assessment of reflux severity, esophageal function, and anatomical considerations. This ensures that the chosen bariatric procedure provides both weight loss and reflux control. Long-term follow-up focuses on symptom monitoring and nutritional management.
By addressing obesity-related mechanical and metabolic contributors, bariatric surgery offers durable relief from GERD in appropriately selected patients.