When the pain and inflammation of acid refluxing from your stomach comes up into your oesophagus, it may be time for you to consider anti reflux surgery to alleviate the suffering that you are enduring. Your healthcare provider here in London may try medication in the beginning, but if this doesn’t result in relief, they may suggest the next step which is surgery. If you haven’t responded to medication, you are experiencing side effects, or you just want to be free from taking medication daily, you should ask some of the following questions of your healthcare specialist so that you can give consideration to pursuing surgery.
- The first question that you should ask is exactly what the surgery involves. Ask if your doctor will be using a keyhole technique which is also known as laparoscopic surgery; this type of surgery tends to reduce your recovery time and results in a decreased amount of post-operation pain.
- You may also want to know how long the surgical procedure will last. Normally this type of surgery will range between one to one and a half hours; by knowing this ahead of time you can inform family members who will be waiting in your London-based healthcare facility for results at the end of the procedure.
- You’ll also want to ask about any complications for which you may be at risk. If you are in good physical condition, your chances for complications are minimal, but you should understand that there are always some risks involved with surgical procedures. Some of the general complications that can result from anti reflux surgery include:
- Bruising or bleeding around your incision
- Infection during your recovery period
- Pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis which can prompt immobility for you as a patient
- You should also ask about possible side effects resulting from your anti reflux surgery in London. You will probably have some difficulty with swallowing after your surgery and the area may be a bit swollen for a few days. Your healthcare provider may restrict your diet to foods that have a smooth consistency and that have no lumps so that it can be chewed easily before you try to swallow. Other side effects may include flatulence or abdominal bloating which is caused by air in your stomach. To avoid this type of side effect, you should not drink gassy drinks for at least two months after your surgery; also limit the amount of drinks you consume each day.
- Finally, you’ll want to enquire about the recovery time required for you to get back to normalcy once your surgery is over. Your discomfort will begin to dissipate within forty-eight hours and you’ll begin to feel relief over the next few days. Don’t drive for about a week after your surgery and avoid lifting heavy items for about two weeks so that you can heal properly.
When the pain of acid reflux is impacting your quality of life, ask questions and seek the services of a trained surgeon to alleviate your pain.
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