Procedure prep
Fasting Before Anti-Reflux Surgery (Fundoplication)
Anti-reflux surgery — usually a keyhole fundoplication — wraps the top of the stomach to stop acid reflux and repair a hiatal hernia. It's done under general anesthesia, and the most distinctive part is the staged diet and swallowing changes afterward.
Fasting for this procedure
→ Get your exact fasting times with the calculator
Medicines to check
- Blood thinners (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto) — see medications to stop.
- Acid-reflux medicines (PPIs like omeprazole) — usually continued until surgery; ask whether you'll still need them afterward.
- Diabetes medicines & insulin need a fasting-day plan, especially with any pre-op liquid diet. See diabetes tablets.
- Blood pressure medicines — confirm which to take with a sip of water.
When this surgery may be delayed
- Fever, a new cough/cold, or a chest infection
- Vomiting or a stomach upset
- A skin infection near the planned keyhole sites
- Very high blood pressure or blood sugar
- You ate or drank outside your fasting window or pre-op diet
Reports & documents to carry
- Photo ID and your insurance or hospital paperwork
- A current list of all your medicines, doses, and allergies
- Your endoscopy, barium swallow or pH-study reports if you have them
- Any written pre-op diet instructions your team gave you
- A bag for a short stay and a ride home
What to ask your anesthesia team
- Do I need a liquid diet before surgery, and for how long?
- What will I be able to eat and drink afterward, and for how long?
- Will I still need my reflux tablets after surgery?
- Is it normal to struggle to burp or feel bloated afterward?
- How long is the hospital stay and recovery?
Your prep checklist
Tick things off as you sort them — saved on this device only, nothing is sent anywhere.
A general guide — your hospital's own instructions always come first.
Frequently asked questions
What can I eat after anti-reflux surgery?
Most people follow a staged diet — clear fluids, then thicker liquids, then soft foods, gradually back to normal over a few weeks — because the new wrap makes swallowing tight at first and the area needs to settle. Your team gives you a specific plan; eating slowly and chewing well really helps.
Will I still need my reflux tablets after surgery?
The aim of fundoplication is to control reflux so that many people can reduce or stop their acid-suppressing tablets, but not everyone comes off them completely. Discuss the realistic expectation for your case with your surgeon, and don't stop any medicine without advice.
Why can't I burp or vomit easily after the operation?
The wrap that stops acid coming up also makes it harder for air and stomach contents to come back up, so early on you may feel bloated, gassy, or unable to burp, and vomiting is difficult. This usually eases as things settle. Eating small amounts slowly and avoiding fizzy drinks at first helps.