“Does gastric sleeve make reflux worse?”

Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is a surgical procedure that involves removing a portion of the stomach to create a smaller sleeve-shaped stomach. While gastric sleeve surgery does not typically exacerbate pre-existing reflux, it can still have an impact on symptoms related to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Many individuals with obesity and GERD experience improvement in their reflux symptoms after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery. This can be due to weight loss, as excess weight can contribute to increased pressure on the stomach, leading to reflux.

However, in some cases, gastric sleeve surgery may cause new or worsened reflux symptoms. This could be due to factors such as changes in the shape and function of the stomach or a decrease in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, which normally helps prevent acid from flowing back into the esophagus.

If you have existing GERD or are concerned about potential worsening of reflux symptoms after gastric sleeve surgery, it's important to discuss this with your surgeon before proceeding with the procedure. They will be able to provide you with personalized information and recommendations based on your specific health situation.

No.

Yes it is possible, so sometimes a hiatal hernia repair is done at the same time.