Upper GI Surgery in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is upper GI surgery?
Upper GI surgery is an operation on the upper part of the digestive tract, meaning the oesophagus, which is the gullet that carries food to the stomach, and the stomach itself. It is used to repair a hiatus hernia, to strengthen the valve that keeps acid out of the gullet, or to remove part or all of a diseased stomach. The name covers several different operations rather than a single one. At Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah, the operation you are offered depends on your diagnosis, your symptoms and your general health, and it is chosen with your surgeon.
Who needs it
Upper GI surgery is considered when a problem in the gullet or stomach cannot be settled in gentler ways. The most common reason is severe, persistent acid reflux, known as GORD, where stomach acid keeps flowing back into the gullet and causes heartburn, regurgitation or a sour taste. It is also used for a hiatus hernia, where part of the stomach slides up through the diaphragm and worsens reflux or causes chest discomfort. Some people need surgery for a stomach tumour. Not everyone with reflux or a hiatus hernia needs an operation, and at Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah many people are managed well with medication and everyday changes instead.
What happens
Before any operation you will have an assessment to understand the problem fully. This often includes an endoscopy, where a thin flexible camera is passed down the gullet to look at the lining and take samples, along with scans and sometimes tests that measure acid and pressure in the gullet. These results confirm the diagnosis and guide the choice of operation. The surgery is done under a general anaesthetic. For reflux and hiatus hernia, the surgeon usually repairs the hernia and wraps the top of the stomach around the lower gullet to reinforce the valve, an operation called a fundoplication. For a stomach tumour, part or all of the stomach may be removed. Keyhole techniques, working through several small cuts, are used where they are suitable. Your surgeon will explain which approach fits your case and why it was chosen over the alternatives.
Preparing for it
Your team will tell you which medicines to stop or continue before surgery, with particular attention to blood thinners and to the acid-reducing tablets you may already take. You will be told when to stop eating and drinking before the anaesthetic. Tell your surgeon about all your health conditions, allergies and past operations. Arrange time off work and someone to help you at home in the first days, as your eating will change for a while after upper GI surgery. This is the moment to ask about the alternatives, what your diet will be like afterwards, and what recovery involves. At Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah, consent is a discussion, not just a signature on a form.
Afterwards
In the early days it is normal to feel full quickly, to eat small soft amounts, and to have some discomfort where the operation was done. Your team will guide you from fluids towards a normal diet in stages, and your surgeon will give you a timeline for your case rather than a fixed date, because recovery differs from person to person. Take things gently and follow the advice you are given on lifting and activity. Seek urgent care if you cannot keep fluids down, have severe or worsening pain in the chest or abdomen, develop a high fever, have trouble breathing, or bring up blood, as these need prompt attention rather than waiting.
Risks and limitations
Every operation carries risk. Upper GI surgery can cause bleeding, infection, and reactions to the anaesthetic, and there is a small risk of a leak where the tissue is joined or repaired. Anti-reflux surgery has side effects that vary from person to person, such as feeling full early, bloating, or difficulty belching, and for some people these settle while for others they last. Reflux surgery suits some patients better than others and its result varies from person to person, which is why it is weighed carefully against continuing with medication. Reflux can also return over time. For a stomach tumour, surgery is one part of the pathway, coordinated with imaging and specialist cancer care, and Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah will explain how the different parts fit together for you.
Cost and insurance
Upper GI surgery usually needs pre-approval from your insurer, covering the operation, the anaesthetic, the hospital stay, any endoscopy and the follow-up. Starting the approval early is worth doing, as it is a common cause of delay. Some plans ask for evidence that medication and other measures were tried first, particularly for reflux surgery, and elements such as a private room may not be covered. Coverage varies between policies and can change, so confirm exactly what your plan includes with Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah on 06 599 7777 before scheduling your operation.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Is surgery the only treatment for acid reflux?
No, surgery is not the only treatment for acid reflux, and most people are helped by medication and changes to diet, weight and habits. Anti-reflux surgery is considered only when reflux is not controlled despite medication and lifestyle measures have been optimised.
When is anti-reflux surgery considered?
Anti-reflux surgery is considered when severe reflux continues even after medication and lifestyle changes have been used properly, and the decision is made after a full assessment that usually includes an endoscopy and tests of the gullet.
What is a hiatus hernia and does it always need surgery?
A hiatus hernia is where part of the stomach slides up through the diaphragm into the chest, which can worsen reflux. It does not always need surgery, and an operation is considered mainly when it causes troublesome symptoms that other measures have not settled.
Will I be able to eat normally after upper GI surgery?
Most people return to a normal diet in stages, starting with fluids and soft food and building up over time. You may feel full sooner than before, especially at first, and your team will give you clear guidance on what to eat and when.
Is upper GI surgery done by keyhole?
Many upper GI operations, including reflux and hiatus hernia repair, are done using keyhole techniques through several small cuts where this is suitable. Whether keyhole is right for you depends on your anatomy and history, and your surgeon will explain the plan.
How is upper GI surgery for a stomach tumour organised?
Surgery for a stomach tumour is one part of a wider pathway at Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah, coordinated with imaging and specialist cancer care so that the different parts of treatment fit together. Your surgeon will explain how your care is arranged.
What are the side effects of reflux surgery?
Reflux surgery can cause early fullness, bloating, and difficulty belching, and these vary between people, settling for some and lasting for others. Your surgeon will talk through what is likely in your case before you decide on the operation.
When should I seek urgent care after the operation?
Seek urgent care after upper GI surgery if you cannot keep fluids down, have severe or worsening chest or abdominal pain, develop a high fever, struggle to breathe, or bring up blood, as these can point to a problem that needs prompt review.
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