Anti-reflux surgery in NJ at Nusbaum Medical Centers treats chronic acid reflux (GERD) and hiatal hernia with laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication — strengthening the valve at the base of the esophagus.
At Nusbaum Medical Centers in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey, anti-reflux surgery is performed by Dr. Michael Nusbaum, a board-certified surgeon (FACS, FASMBS) with more than 25 years of experience. Nissen fundoplication with hiatal hernia repair is a surgical procedure to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and to repair a hiatal hernia. GERD is a treatable disease, but serious complications can occur if it is left untreated.
Understanding GERD & Hiatal Hernia
GERD occurs when stomach contents reflux into the lower end of the esophagus because a weakened or relaxed sphincter allows acid to flow backward. A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach slides through the diaphragm — the muscular sheet separating the chest from the abdomen — and protrudes into the chest cavity. A hiatal hernia may cause no symptoms, or it may produce chest pain, heartburn, belching and hiccups, and it can contribute to severe reflux. General information about acid reflux and GERD is available from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
How Nissen Fundoplication Is Performed
Nissen fundoplication is typically performed as day surgery in a hospital or outpatient surgery center, usually under general anesthesia. Dr. Nusbaum injects a harmless gas near the navel to expand the abdomen for a clear view, then places a laparoscope through a small incision called a trocar, with additional small incisions for surgical instruments. The hiatal hernia is repaired first by bringing the stomach down into the abdominal cavity, sometimes reinforced with mesh. The upper part of the stomach (the fundus) is then wrapped around the lower esophagus and sutured to create a valve. This strengthens the sphincter and helps prevent stomach acid and food from flowing back into the esophagus.
Why Laparoscopic Matters
The laparoscopic approach is far less traumatic to muscles and soft tissue than traditional open surgery, which requires long incisions. Smaller incisions generally mean less discomfort and a more comfortable recovery. Because Nusbaum Medical Centers is a physician-led surgical and metabolic practice, anti-reflux surgery can be coordinated with broader digestive and weight health — reflux and hiatal hernia frequently improve alongside bariatric surgery and procedures such as the gastric sleeve when clinically appropriate.
Recovery and What to Expect
Because Nissen fundoplication is performed through several small incisions rather than one long one, recovery is generally more comfortable than open surgery. After the procedure the small incisions are closed and covered with small bandages, and the harmless gas used to expand the abdomen is released. Many patients go home the same day and are guided through a staged diet — typically progressing from liquids to soft foods — as the surgical wrap settles and swelling subsides.
The goal of surgery is durable relief from the burning, regurgitation and discomfort of chronic reflux, along with repair of the hiatal hernia that often drives it. Left untreated, GERD can lead to serious complications over time, which is why a surgical evaluation is worthwhile when medication and lifestyle changes are no longer enough. Dr. Nusbaum reviews your symptoms, prior treatment and overall health to determine whether anti-reflux surgery is the right step and to set realistic expectations for your recovery and results.
Why Choose Nusbaum for Anti-Reflux Surgery in NJ
Chronic reflux deserves a thorough surgical evaluation, not just ongoing medication. At Nusbaum Medical Centers, anti-reflux surgery is delivered within an experienced, physician-led practice with careful planning and follow-up. Patients travel to Cedar Knolls from across Morris, Essex, Bergen and Union counties.
