What are the side effects of minimally invasive antireflux surgery?
After the surgery, patients can expect some pain in their abdomen where small incisions were made, but this is usually tolerable and goes away in several days. Trouble swallowing is also a potential side effect and can vary from no problems at all to the ability to swallow only liquids. This can persist from several days up to several months, but usually gets better with time. Patients are able to begin a liquid diet when they are awake and alert, but should avoid cold liquids or ice, which may cause some esophageal spasms. If patients have no trouble swallowing the day after surgery, they will advance to a soft-food diet and be allowed to leave the hospital. Patients should avoid foods such as breads, bagels, meat, and raw vegetables for a couple of weeks. Patients may then resume a normal diet if there is no problem with swallowing.
