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Reflux is often treated as a simple condition, something managed with medication and lifestyle changes. But for many people, symptoms persist despite this approach. That’s because not all reflux is the same.
At Upper GI Surgery, we focus on understanding why your symptoms are happening before recommending treatment. For patients across Sydney and NSW, this means access to specialist assessment, advanced diagnostic testing and, where appropriate, highly effective reflux surgery.
Many patients come to us after years of ongoing symptoms — heartburn, regurgitation, cough, chest discomfort or difficulty swallowing — often treated as “reflux” without a clear diagnosis.
In reality, these symptoms can be caused by a range of conditions, including:
These conditions can overlap, and treating them without proper investigation can lead to ongoing symptoms or ineffective treatment.
Reflux occurs when pressure within the stomach overcomes the natural barrier at the lower oesophagus, allowing stomach contents to move upward and irritate delicate tissue. Simply reducing acid does not stop this process; it only reduces its intensity.
What sets our Sydney practice apart is our focus on accurate diagnosis before treatment. We have one of the longest-running oesophageal diagnostic laboratories in NSW, with dedicated equipment to assess both reflux and swallowing disorders.
This allows us to perform specialised testing such as:
These tests provide a clear understanding of what is actually happening — whether symptoms are due to reflux, abnormal oesophageal function, or another condition entirely. For many patients, this is the first time they receive a definitive diagnosis.
Reflux surgery is considered when there is clear evidence of reflux and symptoms are not well controlled with medication, or when long-term medication is no longer desirable. Unlike medication, which reduces acid but does not stop reflux events, surgery aims to correct the underlying mechanical problem.
This typically involves repairing a hiatus hernia and reinforcing the valve between the oesophagus and stomach, restoring normal anatomy and preventing reflux from occurring.
When performed in appropriately selected patients, this approach is highly effective and can provide long-term symptom control.
At Upper GI Surgery, reflux surgery is not offered as a default solution; it is offered as the right solution for the right patient.
Our team specialises exclusively in upper gastrointestinal conditions and performs a high volume of reflux and hiatus hernia procedures using minimally invasive techniques.
We also offer a range of treatment options, including:
Because we manage both diagnosis and treatment, care is fully integrated — from initial assessment through to long-term follow-up.
Reflux symptoms can be misleading. It is common for patients with swallowing disorders or oesophageal motility problems to be treated for reflux without improvement. Equally, some patients with significant reflux have minimal findings on initial testing. This is why a comprehensive evaluation is critical.
By combining clinical expertise with specialised diagnostic testing, we are able to:
This ensures that surgery, when performed, is both necessary and effective.
Upper GI Surgery provides specialist reflux treatment and GORD surgery for patients across Sydney and regional NSW. If you have ongoing reflux symptoms, have been told you may need surgery, or feel your condition has not been properly diagnosed, a specialist assessment is the next step.
If reflux is affecting your quality of life, it’s worth understanding exactly what’s causing it and what your options are. Book a consultation with our team to discuss your symptoms and whether further investigation or reflux surgery may be appropriate.
Contact us to discuss symptoms, timing and the best treatment plan for you.
P: 02 9553 1120
F: 02 9553 7526
E: info@uppergisurgery.com.au
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