Mia from Houston sent us this question: “I just had my gallbladder removed a few days ago. I went to the ER for what turned out to be acid reflux and ended in my gallbladder removed. My question is what do I eat and how long will the acid reflux last? I am open to whatever. I haven’t really eaten in forever. Thank you”
Dear Mia,
Acid reflux is a chronic and progressive disease. Acid reflux lasts all your life, and it tends to worsen as you age. Acid reflux symptoms like heartburn, cough and food regurgitation increase in both severity and frequency over time.
A reflux friendly diet helps alleviates some of the symptoms of acid reflux disease especially in early stages of GERD. However, stomach always secretes acid independent of what you eat. Indeed, acid production is normal part of normal physiology. Consequently, patients with a weak anti-reflux barrier experience acid reflux whether they eat or not. The root cause for acid reflux disease is not what you eat. It is a weak anti-reflux barrier. The weaker your anti-reflux barrier is, the more symptoms you have.
The most reliable solution to restore the anti-reflux barrier is hiatal hernia repair and Nissen fundoplication. A properly performed fundoplication surgery and hiatal hernia repair are 100% effective in stopping acid reflux. Gallbladder disease may co-exist with GERD. Removing the gallbladder eliminates gallbladder related symptoms only. Your acid reflux will continue, and it may even get worse after gallbladder surgery.
I recommend you get evaluated by a competent reflux specialist. We are accepting new patients for 2023 at our Houston Heartburn and Reflux Center. Please give us a call at 832-945-8717.