Anti-reflux & GERD surgery in Dubai
Surgical Relief for Reflux that Medication Can’t Give
Despite having medication and changes in diet, if you are not getting relief from heartburn or regurgitation, then the issue is not the acid; it usually lies in the valve at the top of your stomach. Dr. Ghosh has 25 years of experience working as a consultant GI surgeon and has performed over 12,000 procedures. His expertise in treating chronic reflux (GERD) with minimally invasive surgery ensures lasting relief. Being a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, he handles each case with professional care from assessment to further follow-up.
Keyhole surgery
Laparoscopic & robotic
One consultant
Diagnosis to follow-up
Insured & self-pay
Pre-authorisation help
25+
Years in GI surgery
12,000+
GI procedures performed
3
Hospitals in Dubai & Sharjah
FACS
American College of Surgeons
The condition
What is Gastric Reflux (GERD)?
Having acidity is normal after a spicy meal or lying down soon afterwards, which is also known as occasional reflux and settles on its own. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is chronic reflux that occurs regularly. It happens more than twice a week and gets worse over time.
There is a ring of muscle at the junction between the food pipe and the stomach, which is called the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES). It helps you let food down and keep stomach acid in the place where it should be. In GERD, the valve does not properly seal, so acid washes back into the oesophagus and irritates its lining. The real problem is not the acid; it’s the valve, so reflux surgery helps to fix it.
Recognise it
Symptoms of Gastric Reflux
Reflux is not just heartburn. Most patients come after getting treatment for chest or throat issues before the actual cause is diagnosed as acid.
- Heartburn, a burning feeling behind the breastbone
- A sour or bitter taste in the mouth
- Regurgitation of food or acid
- Chest discomfort
- Difficulty swallowing
- A chronic or dry cough
- Hoarseness or a changed voice
- Frequent throat clearing
- Persistent bad breath
- Disturbed sleep caused by night-time reflux
Common causes and risk factors
Weight and Diet
If you are overweight, it can increase pressure on the stomach. Consumption of heavy, oily, and spicy meals along with carbonated drinks pushes acid upward and makes the valve loose.
Habits and Timing
Excessive smoking can make the valve weak, and going to bed quickly after eating food can also be harmful. Heavy and late dinners are one of the causes of reflux that usually occurs at night.
Body and Medical Factors
Different medications, pregnancy, and hiatal hernia are common causes of the development of reflux. Hiatal hernia requires special attention when treating the valve.
What Happens if GERD is Left Untreated?
Acid that continuously reaches the oesophagus does all the damage. Therefore, it is crucial to take reflux issues seriously rather than ignoring them.
- Oesophagitis. The lining of the food pipe becomes inflamed and sore, which makes swallowing painful.
- Ulcers. Continuous irritation can break the lining down into open sores that may bleed.
- Stricture. Repeated healing scar tissue that narrows the oesophagus, so food starts to feel as if it sticks.
- Barrett's oesophagus. The cells lining the lower oesophagus change in response to long-term acid exposure, so this condition needs monitoring.
- Increased risk of oesophageal cancer. Barrett's oesophagus carries a higher long-term risk of cancer, which is why early assessment is important.
- Persistent cough and throat problems. Acid reaching the upper airway can cause a lasting cough, hoarseness, and repeated throat irritation.
Red flags
When should you see a specialist?
You do not have to worry about occasional heartburn. However, some symptoms need attention that point towards certain damage. If you notice any of the following signs, then consult a gastrointestinal specialist.
- Reflux symptoms more than twice a week
- Difficulty swallowing or food getting stuck
- Unexplained weight loss
- Vomiting blood, or black, tar-like stools
- Symptoms that continue despite medication
The work-up
Tests you May Need
A clear diagnosis is important before surgery. It helps to confirm that acid reflux is the primary cause, measure how much is happening, and check the anatomy of the valve and food pipe. Depending on your case, the assessment may include:
1
Clinical Evaluation
A detailed review of your symptoms, triggers, medication history, and how reflux is affecting daily life.
2
Upper GI Endoscopy
A thin camera examines the oesophagus and stomach to check for inflammation, a hiatal hernia, stricture, or Barrett's changes. You can read what an upper GI endoscopy involves involves in our patient guide.
3
24-hour pH Monitoring
It helps to measure how much acid reaches the oesophagus and whether it matches your symptoms, often the deciding test before surgery.
4
Oesophageal Manometry
Measures the pressure and muscle activity of the food pipe and the LES, which helps plan the right type of surgery.
5
Barium Swallow
An X-ray study used in selected cases to map a hiatal hernia or a narrowing before treatment.
Get assessed
Reflux still breaking through your medication? A proper assessment tells you whether surgery is the right step.
How reflux (GERD) is Treated
Treatment consists of different steps that include simple measures and surgery according to the patient’s condition. Most people start with lifestyle changes and medication, and it works for a lot of patients. Surgery is reserved for reflux that does not settle, or that is causing damage.
01
Lifestyle Changes
Losing excess weight, avoiding trigger foods, eating smaller meals, not eating late at night, raising the head of the bed, and stopping smoking. These lifestyle adjustments control symptoms for many patients.
02
Medication
Antacids for quick relief, H2 blockers to reduce acid, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for stronger, longer control. Here is our guide to managing acid reflux without surgery which covers how far these can take you.
03
Advanced Treatment
For selected patients, endoscopic therapies or anti-reflux surgery (fundoplication) repair the valve itself. Dr Ghosh performs these with minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic techniques through small incisions.
A Practical GERD Diet
There is no single diet that cures reflux, but you need to have healthy meals at the right time to avoid any symptoms. The table mentioned below shows which foods commonly trigger reflux and which ones people can tolerate. To get a full diet plan, see our guide to diet and lifestyle changes for living with GERD.
| Foods to limit or avoid | Foods generally better tolerated |
|---|---|
| Spicy foods | Oatmeal |
| Fried and oily foods | Bananas |
| Citrus fruits | Rice |
| Tomato-based foods | Lean proteins |
| Chocolate | Vegetables |
| Coffee | Non-citrus fruits |
| Carbonated drinks and alcohol | Smaller, regular meals |
The surgical step
When is Reflux Surgery Recommended?
Anti-reflux surgery is a fundoplication that wraps the upper part of the stomach around the lower oesophagus to rebuild the valve. This decision is suited to specific situations rather than every case of heartburn. Dr Ghosh may discuss surgery when:
- Reflux stays severe despite proper medication
- You depend on long-term PPIs and want to come off them
- There is a large hiatal hernia driving the reflux
- Barrett's oesophagus is present, in selected cases
- Reflux is affecting your sleep, eating, and quality of life
The surgery is usually done by keyhole, so patients are encouraged to walk soon afterwards and return to light daily activities within a few days, though healing times depend on the condition of each patient.
Why Patients Choose Dr Arindam Ghosh for Reflux Care
Deep Experience in Reflux Management
With more than 25 years in GI surgery and over 12,000 procedures, anti-reflux surgery remains his core area of practice.
Advanced Endoscopy Expertise
A full diagnostic workup under one consultant, so the decision to operate rests on objective testing rather than guesswork.
Personalised Treatment Plans
Lifestyle, medication, or surgery, matched to your symptoms and test results and what you want from treatment.
Minimally Invasive Options and Long-term follow-up
Laparoscopic and robotic surgery for faster recovery, with the same surgeon caring for you afterwards. He offers consultations at Emirates Hospital Jumeirah, Emirates Speciality Hospital DHCC, and NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah.
Reflux and GERD surgery: common questions
How do I know if my reflux needs surgery rather than medication?
Most reflux is managed well with lifestyle changes and medication. Surgery is considered when symptoms stay severe despite proper treatment, when you do not want to stay on long-term PPIs, or when there is a complication such as a large hiatal hernia. A clinical evaluation, an upper GI endoscopy and usually 24-hour pH monitoring help decide whether surgery is appropriate for you.
What does reflux (GERD) surgery actually involve?
The most common operation is a fundoplication. The surgeon wraps the upper part of the stomach around the lower oesophagus to rebuild the failing valve, so acid can no longer wash back up. Where a hiatal hernia is present, it is repaired at the same time. Dr Ghosh performs this using minimally invasive laparoscopic or robotic techniques through small incisions.
Is GERD surgery minimally invasive, and what is recovery like?
In most first-time cases the surgery is done by keyhole rather than open surgery, which means smaller incisions and less post-operative discomfort. Patients are usually encouraged to walk soon after surgery and to return to light daily activities within a few days, with a modified diet for a short period afterwards. Individual healing times vary, so your own recovery plan is set out at consultation.
Will surgery let me stop taking acid medication?
For many appropriate candidates, anti-reflux surgery reduces or removes the need for daily acid medication by addressing the physical cause of reflux rather than only the acid. Results differ between patients, and your specialist will give you a realistic picture based on your test results before any decision is made.
What tests will I need before reflux surgery?
Typically a clinical evaluation, an upper GI endoscopy to inspect the oesophagus and stomach, 24-hour pH monitoring to measure acid exposure, and oesophageal manometry to check the muscle function of the food pipe. A barium swallow may be added in selected cases. These confirm the diagnosis and guide the type of surgery.
Does insurance cover reflux surgery in Dubai, and what does it cost?
The cost of reflux surgery depends on the procedure required, the hospital facility, and whether diagnostic investigations have already been done. Laparoscopic fundoplication and hiatal hernia repair are covered under many UAE health insurance policies. A personalised cost estimate and insurance pre-authorisation guidance are provided at consultation. Dr Ghosh's practice works with major insurers including DAMAN, BUPA Arabia, AXA Gulf and Oman Insurance.
Can international patients travel to Dubai for reflux surgery?
Yes. Dr Ghosh treats international and medical-tourism patients from across the GCC, South Asia and Europe, with medical-visa and travel support available. Initial questions can be discussed by phone or WhatsApp on +971 58 181 9372 before you travel.
Take the next step on your reflux
If heartburn and regurgitation are running your days, find out whether surgery can give you lasting relief. Book a consultation with Dr Arindam Ghosh across Dubai and Sharjah.
We bring the years, global experience, and stamina to guide our clients through new and often disruptive realities.