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Is metabolic surgery effective for GERD with a high BMI?

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Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am 36 with severe, medication-resistant acid reflux. My gastroenterologist recommended metabolic surgery to help with both my reflux and my weight (BMI 37). How established is this approach for treating GERD? What percentage of patients see full relief? Is there a risk it could actually worsen my reflux? I have not slept well in years. Please help.

Thank you in advance.
Answered by Dr. Madhav Tiwari

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Madhav Tiwari, M.Ch (Urology), MS (General Surgery), MBBS is a board-certified urologist and general surgeon with over 10 years of clinical experience. He earned his M.Ch. in Urology from Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research in 2022, his MS in General Surgery from RD Gardi Medical College, Ujjain in 2018, and completed his MBBS from N.K.P. Salve Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Nagpur in 2013. Dr. Tiwari holds medical registration under IMC ID TN 14488 and has consulted more than 2,500 patients across his career.

I am a Urologist, UroOncologist and Robotic Surgeon with more than 10 years of work experience and a strong academic background (MBBS, MS, MCh - Urology, Gold Medalist, and Post-Doctoral Fellowship in UroOncology and Robotic Surgery).

I have a special interest in urological oncology and specialise in performing complex robotic and minimally invasive surgeries.

Having successfully completed over 500 robotic procedures and treated thousands of patients, I remain committed to delivering personalized, compassionate care and exceptional outcomes.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

It sounds like you are dealing with a really challenging case of acid reflux. With a BMI (body mass index) of 37 and symptoms that have not responded to medication, your gastroenterologist’s (digestive system specialist) suggestion of metabolic (bariatric) surgery (a weight loss surgery) is actually a well-established option and not experimental.

In particular, procedures like Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or RYGB (a type of weight loss surgery that reduces stomach size and reroutes the small intestine) have shown strong results for improving or even resolving GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) symptoms. They can also support significant weight loss, improve sleep, and reduce long-term health risks like diabetes and heart disease.

Before moving forward, it is important to review a few things with your care team:

  1. Have you had recent tests such as an endoscopy (a test that uses a camera to look inside your digestive tract), pH (potential of Hydrogen) monitoring, or esophageal manometry (a test that measures how well the muscles in your esophagus work, especially when you swallow)?

  2. Do you have a hiatal hernia (which happens when part of the stomach pushes up into the chest through the diaphragm), which can worsen reflux?

  3. Are you on any other regular medications?

  4. Do you have any other conditions like diabetes (high blood sugar levels), high blood pressure, or sleep apnea (a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep)?

These answers help guide surgical planning and ensure the best possible outcome.

I strongly recommend seeing a full bariatric surgery team, which includes a surgeon, dietitian, and endocrinologist (a hormone and metabolism specialist) who are experienced in treating both GERD and obesity (excess body fat). They will help you determine if surgery is the right fit and which type will work best for your specific needs.

I hope this helps.

Kindly revert so I can assist you further.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At June 7, 2025
Reviewed At June 7, 2025

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Madhav Tiwari, M.Ch (Urology), MS (General Surgery), MBBS is a board-certified urologist and general surgeon with over 10 years of clinical experience. He earned his M.Ch. in Urology from Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research in 2022, his MS in General Surgery from RD Gardi Medical College, Ujjain in 2018, and completed his MBBS from N.K.P. Salve Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Nagpur in 2013. Dr. Tiwari holds medical registration under IMC ID TN 14488 and has consulted more than 2,500 patients across his career.

I am a Urologist, UroOncologist and Robotic Surgeon with more than 10 years of work experience and a strong academic background (MBBS, MS, MCh - Urology, Gold Medalist, and Post-Doctoral Fellowship in UroOncology and Robotic Surgery).

I have a special interest in urological oncology and specialise in performing complex robotic and minimally invasive surgeries.

Having successfully completed over 500 robotic procedures and treated thousands of patients, I remain committed to delivering personalized, compassionate care and exceptional outcomes.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Madhav Tiwari
Dr. Madhav Tiwari

General Surgery

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Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Madhav Tiwari, M.Ch (Urology), MS (General Surgery), MBBS is a board-certified urologist and general surgeon with over 10 years of clinical experience. He earned his M.Ch. in Urology from Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research in 2022, his MS in General Surgery from RD Gardi Medical College, Ujjain in 2018, and completed his MBBS from N.K.P. Salve Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Nagpur in 2013. Dr. Tiwari holds medical registration under IMC ID TN 14488 and has consulted more than 2,500 patients across his career.

I am a Urologist, UroOncologist and Robotic Surgeon with more than 10 years of work experience and a strong academic background (MBBS, MS, MCh - Urology, Gold Medalist, and Post-Doctoral Fellowship in UroOncology and Robotic Surgery).

I have a special interest in urological oncology and specialise in performing complex robotic and minimally invasive surgeries.

Having successfully completed over 500 robotic procedures and treated thousands of patients, I remain committed to delivering personalized, compassionate care and exceptional outcomes.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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