Meet Dr. Darido

Dr. Elias Darido – Houston Heartburn and Reflux Specialist

“Proper diagnosis and effective heartburn treatment “ is the vision of Dr. Elias Darido, founder of Houston Heartburn and Reflux Center. In today’s healthcare environment, there is much more to offer to control gastro-esophageal acid reflux disease (GERD). Many physicians have adopted a treatment model based on anti-reflux medications, typically Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) like Nexium, Dexilant and Prevacid. Unfortunately, PPIs don’t cure the problem of acid reflux but rather control the symptoms. Symptom control alone is, however, not enough when managing a chronic and progressive condition like gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). At Houston Heartburn and Reflux Center, Dr. Darido aspires to provide a comprehensive care for GERD patients in Houston and around the world.

Dr. Darido grew up in Lebanon. He attended the prestigious American University of Beirut. After graduating from medical school with honors, he moved to the United States. He trained in general surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital and The University of Cincinnati. Two institutions that are renowned for their surgical tradition. Afterwards, he was accepted as the advanced laparoscopic Foregut surgery fellow at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. There he completed two additional years of subspecialty training in acid reflux management and surgery.

Dr. Darido has been in practice for 15 years and has maintained a strong safety record. He specializes in a wide range of advanced laparoscopic surgeries involving the gastro-esophageal area. Dr. Darido is especially focused on the upper part of the stomach also called gastric fundus. The gastric fundus is used to wrap the esophagus to prevent acid reflux, a procedure called Nissen Fundoplication. Dr. Darido has successfully performed more than 1000 Nissen Fundoplication surgeries in his career. Dr. Darido has been asked to lecture about gastric fundus function and role in different diseases like reflux, delayed gastric emptying and morbid obesity. He has numerous publications, and he is currently actively involved in clinical research related to gastro-esophageal surgery.

In his own words, Dr. Darido chose to specialize in the treatment of heartburn and reflux because, “ gastro-esophageal reflux disease is a challenging condition. A combination of science, experience, intuition and dedication are needed to assure that GERD patients are well taken care of ”.

Dr. Darido holds the following designations:

  • Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
  • Board Certified The American Board of Surgery
  • Member American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS)
  • Member Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
  • Member American College of Surgeons (ACS)
  • Member Texas Medical Association (TMA)
  • Harris County Medical Association (HCMA)
  • Houston society of Bariatric Surgeons
  • Fellowship Trained in Advanced Laparoscopy Surgery
  • Fellowship Trained in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Dr. Elias Darido - Houston Heartburn and Reflux Center

Elias Darido, MD, FACS

Download Dr. Darido’s approach to Heartburn and Acid Reflux Management