Version July 2025
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What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.
What is fundoplication? —
This is surgery to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, or "GERD." Acid reflux is when the acid that is normally in the stomach backs up into the esophagus (figure 1). In people with GERD, acid reflux causes bothersome symptoms or damage.
In some cases, GERD is caused by a "hiatal hernia." This is when part of the stomach moves up into the chest area (figure 2). In many cases, the doctor can also repair a hiatal hernia during fundoplication.
During fundoplication, the doctor wraps the upper part of the stomach around the lower part of the esophagus (figure 3). This prevents stomach acid and food from leaking back into the esophagus. If you have a hiatal hernia, the doctor will also pull the stomach back into the belly and narrow the opening between the chest and belly with stiches. This prevents the stomach from moving back up into the chest.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
For the first 24 hours after surgery:
●Do not drive or operate heavy or dangerous machinery.
●Do not make any important decisions or sign any important papers.
●Do not drink alcohol of any kind.
You should also:
●Take all of your medicines as instructed.
•Use a stool softener to help prevent constipation, if needed. This is a common problem if you take opioid pain medicines. Follow all instructions for taking your pain medicines.
•Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve). These can be used instead of opioids.
●Take care of your incision – You might have stitches, skin staples, surgical glue, or a special skin tape on your incision. If you had minimally invasive surgery, you might have more than 1 incision.
•Keep your incision dry and covered with a bandage for the first 1 to 2 days after surgery. Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to keep it dry.
•Once you no longer need to keep your it dry, gently wash it with soap and water whenever you take a shower. Do not put your incision underwater, such as in a bath, pool, or lake. This can slow healing and raise your chance of getting an infection.
•After you wash your incision, pat it dry. Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to put an antibiotic ointment on it. They will also tell you if you need to cover it with a bandage or gauze.
•Always wash your hands before and after you touch your incision or bandage.
●Increase your activity slowly – Start with short walks around your home, and walk a little more each day.
•Keep coughing and doing deep breathing exercises for 7 to 10 days after you go home. This helps prevent lung infections. When you cough, sneeze, or do deep breathing exercises, press a pillow across your incision to support the wound and ease pain.
•Avoid heavy lifting, sports, and swimming for at least a week or 2. (Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to avoid these or other activities.)
●Eat when you are hungry:
•If you have an upset stomach, it might help to start with clear liquids and foods that are easy to digest, like soup, pudding, or eggs.
•In many cases, the doctor will want you to eat a special diet for a while after surgery. If your doctor or nurse gave you specific instructions about what to eat or avoid, follow them.
•Eat small meals more often. Chew your food thoroughly.
•Avoid carbonated liquids and drinking through a straw until your doctor says that it is OK.
•Avoid eating 3 hours before bedtime. Sleep with your head and shoulders propped on pillows.
●Be aware that if you had minimally invasive surgery, you might have some pain in your shoulder. This is from gas the doctor put into your belly during surgery. Walking and moving around helps reduce the gas and ease the pain.
What follow-up care do I need? —
The doctor will want to see you again after surgery to check on your progress. Go to these appointments.
If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will usually want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks. Some stitches absorb on their own and do not need to be removed. If the doctor used skin glue or skin tape, it will fall off on its own. Do not pick at it or try to remove it yourself.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if you have:
●A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills
●Redness or swelling around your incisions
●Very bad belly pain
●Nausea or vomiting that does not go away
●Trouble swallowing
Patient education: Fundoplication (The Basics)
Patient education: Acid reflux and GERD in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Acid reflux and GERD during pregnancy (The Basics)
Patient education: Acid reflux and GERD in children and teens (The Basics)
Patient education: Spitting up and GERD in babies (The Basics)
Patient education: Hiatal hernia (The Basics)
Patient education: Upper endoscopy (The Basics)
Patient education: Gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Gastroesophageal reflux disease in children and adolescents (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux) in babies (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Upper endoscopy (Beyond the Basics)
