Diet and #GERD

This is NOT about the "standard GERD diet" that most doctors recommend, but that doesn't help so many people who are still living on antacids, PPI's, etc...this is different and, even if you believe that "low carb" is a fad diet (it isn't, but this isn't the place to debate it), if you are desperate or even want to try something different - and harmless - or avoid surgery or strong medications, read below, follow the links, see what others - including physicians and the MANY people for whom it worked - have shared, and consider if this might at least be worth a try for yourself.

My own personal experience: Only during a few months between 1991 and 2010 did my GERD ever abate, and that was when I first started eating low carb. Those first 3 months of eating this way were bliss! I could lay flat, I didn't cough and choke on my own stomach acids, I had amazing relief! And I was eating lots of fats also, tons of fatty foods, as most low carb plans are NOT high protein as so many of its detractors (and the press) would have you believe, but rather high fat. The body uses fats for energy much more efficiently than it uses sugars and starches, which are part of the problem for many - if not most - GERD sufferers.

However, one slice of bread - low carb bread - or a single dish of low-carb cereal or one cookie, and it all came back. I could not tolerate ANY grains whatsoever. I have read reports of GERD sufferers who, after eliminating wheat in all its forms from their diet, found relief; apparently wheat sensitivity is quite common (as is lactose/dairy) although most are unaware, and eliminating these foods can help. But in my case, any grains at all in my system would start the reflux which, a few years later, became violent.

This is no secret. It is well-known by some in the medical profession and all of us who have lived it, that eliminating grains and sugars (even "natural sugars" - sugar is sugar is sugar) and in some cases dairy from the diet can bring relief from even the worst reflux issues for many people and do for them what myriad drugs had not, enabling them to start living their lives normally again. If you are having reflux issues but are wary of the NF surgery...if you have a failed wrap...if your surgery wasn't effective for whatever reason...there are some resources that you may want to check out. Read and learn and, maybe, give yourself some relief :).

Heartburn Cured, from the blog of Michael R. Eades, MD (medical)

How Low-Carb Improves Acid Reflux, from The Migraineur (anecdotal)

Reader who cured GERD with low-carb diet interviewed on TV, from The Healthy Skeptic (video)

Low Carb Plus Raw Veg for GERD, Life Extension Forum (anecdotal)

My GERD is Cured! Low-carb Hits the Mark, from Pain, Pain, Go Away! (anecdotal)

Low Carb and Heartburn (forum, anecdotal, multiple)


GERD Sufferers, Rejoice! from Mark's Daily Apple (informational)A Low Carb Diet for GERD

Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), but Thomas Cowan, MD (medical)

Links: Doctor's Post-Op Guidelines after Laparoscopic Nissen #Fundoplication

This is a list for those who have questions, and also to show the VAST differences in how different surgeons instruct their patients. My own doctor was fairly conservative in his instructions, which was consistent with my own reading of patient accounts. It seemed that the people that had the most issues many times ate too much - or the wrong things - too soon, or resumed activity - or strenuous activity - too soon. Anyway, you will see below that recommendations do vary widely, and since we are all different, the doctor who actually did the surgery, along with our own gradual experimentation will be our best guide :).

Since there are so many, I'm just listing 10 to provide the basic ideas. But if you search the web, you will find LOTS more.


from Winchester Surgeons, Winchester, TN

from Aaron S. Bransky, MD, Plano, TX

from Casco Bay Surgery
, Portland, Maine

from Surgical Specialist of Plano, Plano, TX

from The Crawford Clinic, Anniston, AL

from Surgical Associates, PC (multiple locations)

from Newton-Wellesley Surgeons, Inc., Newton, MA

from Oregon Surgical Specialists, Medford, OR

from Tampa Bay Surgical Group, Bradenton, FL

From Cedar Surgical, Tacoma, WA

7-Month Post-Op Update #fundoplication

First, I have been more careful with lifting/pushing since my June 15th entry, and have no more problems with that type of pain.

Second, my eating is going fine, still mainly pork that gets stuck, although I did have on incident of bread sticking. I still haven't tried my beloved raw cauliflower and broccoli, sooner or later I might but I got the sternest warnings about those from my surgeon, so I don't really want to try - yet.

Third, I've made these awful noises every so often since the surgery. I think they're awful anyway, my husband says it's not so bad...but on the Nissen Fundoplication group on Facebook there was a discussion of these sounds by some of the members; they described it like a seal barking (yeah, that's it!) and the conclusion is that it is caused by some sort of spasm in the esophagus. No word from them on iAdf it ever goes away, but I guess I will find that out on my own, given enough time.

Fourth, I am afraid to hope, but I think I MIGHT be burping! I don't know if that's good or bad, but I think I've burped a couple of times, not just the shallow burps from air in my esophagus before it ever reaches my wrap, but real burps. When it happens I'm not paying that much attention so that I can properly identify where it came from, but maybe...

Fifth, I bent over after eating one day, and felt this awful yet familiar feeling in my throat...it took a few seconds to recognize it as ACID! I was horrified, certain that my wrap was failing, and got myself pretty worked up. However, it hasn't happened since. Put together with what I just wrote, it would make sense that IF air is coming back up at times, it could bring a little bit of acid (which I know my stomach is still full of!) with it. But it doesn't seem to be a sign of wrap failure, since it only happened that once, a couple of weeks ago. I even tested my wrap by eating something and then laying down flat on my bed to fall asleep. Nothing. I'm good.

And happy :).