Reflux Surgery by Specialists – Surgery & Endoscopy Centre 1160
Expertise
Reflux surgery can be an effective solution when heartburn, acid reflux and a feeling of pressure in the chest significantly impact daily life. Especially when conservative measures such as medication or dietary changes are no longer sufficient, surgery offers a long-term treatment option.
At the Surgery & Endoscopy Centre 1160, I, as an experienced reflux specialist in Vienna, offer the most advanced surgical procedures for the long-term treatment of reflux disease. Through minimally invasive reflux surgery techniques, I enable you to achieve a swift recovery and lasting relief from your symptoms.
Dr Bernd Weiner is your experienced doctor for reflux treatments and offers you individual care with no long waiting times, as well as comprehensive aftercare for the best possible treatment outcomes at the Surgery & Endoscopy Centre 1160.
What Is Reflux?
Reflux refers to the backflow of stomach acid into the oesophagus. This occurs when the oesophageal sphincter no longer functions properly, allowing stomach acid to rise unhindered. The most common symptoms are:
- Heartburn
- Acid regurgitation
- A feeling of pressure and tightness in the chest
- Chronic cough or hoarseness
If left untreated, reflux can lead to chronic inflammation of the oesophagus. In some cases, changes in the mucous membrane such as Barrett’s oesophagus can develop, which is considered a precursor to cancer. Timely diagnosis and treatment are therefore essential.
When Should You Consider Reflux Surgery?
Not every patient with reflux needs surgery. However, reflux surgery makes sense when:
- Medication does not provide sufficient relief
- Symptoms persist despite dietary changes
- Chronic inflammation or damage to the oesophagus is present
- A Barrett’s oesophagus diagnosis has been made
- Persistent heartburn is affecting your quality of life
As an experienced reflux specialist in Vienna, I assess individually whether reflux surgery is the best solution for you.
Why Choose Treatment with Dr Weiner at the Surgery & Endoscopy Centre 1160?
Reflux surgery requires precise diagnostics and an experienced specialist team. At the Surgery & Endoscopy Centre 1160, you benefit from:
- Reliable and individual care – with sufficient time for your concerns and clear explanations of every step of treatment.
- State-of-the-art diagnostics – A comprehensive examination using gastroscopy (stomach endoscopy) enables precise treatment planning.
- Minimally invasive surgical techniques – Laparoscopic reflux surgery makes the procedure particularly gentle.
- Individual aftercare – I accompany you from the first consultation through to complete recovery.
Most reflux operations are performed as inpatient procedures in hospital. Smaller diagnostic procedures or preparatory examinations, however, can be carried out on an outpatient basis in my practice.
Diagnosis: Why Is a Gastroscopy Important for Reflux?
Many patients with reflux symptoms delay having a gastroscopy. Yet a gastroscopy can detect dangerous changes at an early stage and enable targeted treatment.
- Reflux can cause long-term damage – Chronic acid exposure leads to inflammation of the oesophagus.
- Early detection of Barrett’s oesophagus – This change in the mucous membrane is considered a possible precursor to cancer and requires close monitoring.
- Early detection of oesophageal cancer – A gastroscopy can detect malignant changes at an early stage, when they can still be treated effectively.
- Individual treatment decisions – Whether medication or reflux surgery is the best approach depends on the classification of the condition.
- Gentle gastroscopy under sedation – Thanks to modern sedation, the examination is relaxed and pain-free.
Have your symptoms checked at an early stage – a timely diagnosis can prevent serious consequences!
How does reflux surgery work?
The most common form of reflux surgery is laparoscopic fundoplication. In this procedure, the fundus of the stomach is wrapped around the oesophagus to strengthen the closing mechanism. The procedure is carried out minimally invasively through small incisions.
How long does recovery take after reflux surgery?
Most patients can leave hospital after a few days. Mild difficulty swallowing is normal but subsides within a few weeks.
Are there alternatives to surgery?
Yes, depending on the severity of the condition, medication, dietary changes and certain lifestyle adjustments can help. Surgery is only recommended for severe or chronic cases.
Is reflux surgery painful?
As the procedure is carried out minimally invasively, pain is generally mild. Pain medication helps to relieve discomfort in the first few days.
Is reflux surgery covered by statutory health insurance?
In many cases, statutory health insurers cover the costs of reflux surgery where there is a medical necessity. As a private practice/private consultant, I offer you individual advice on billing and reimbursement options.
Consultant Dr Bernd Weiner, MBA
Specialist in General and Visceral Surgery
Dr Bernd Weiner studied medicine at the Medical University of Vienna and completed his specialist training at the Surgical Department of the Göttlicher Heiland Hospital in Vienna under Head of Department Dr Viktor Grablowitz. Further stages of his career took him to the University Clinics for Surgery in Heidelberg and at the AKH Vienna, before he spent many years as a Senior Consultant at Krankenhaus Göttlicher Heiland Wien, where he headed the hernia and reflux surgery department. Today, he is the founder and director of the Surgery & Endoscopy Centre 1160 Vienna, specialising in hernia, reflux, visceral, and endoscopic surgery.
Member of the Austrian Society of Surgery (ÖGCH), the Austrian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (ÖGGH), the German Hernia Society (DHG), and the German Hernia Care Society (DHCH).
