What to expect after the Stretta procedure
Immediately after the procedure, due to the sedation, you may expect to feel very tired for the remainder of the day. Some patients have a sore throat or mild soreness in the chest area. You will be able to eat with some mild dietary restrictions and resume your normal medications immediately after the procedure. When eating you may experience a sensation of the food moving slowly down into your stomach.
You must continue your acid controlling medications, until instructed otherwise, by your physician for at least an additional 4-8 weeks.
Your reflux symptoms are not expected to improve immediately. The STRETTA procedure is a long-term correction for reflux or heartburn. The effects usually develop slowly over time. It is very important that you do not expect immediate results. It may sometimes take as long as 8-12 months before the final improvements take place.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do not eat any foods with hard or sharp edges for 4-5 days, such as chips, pretzels, nuts, popped corn, or bones. Chew your food well, and do not eat rapidly.
- Do resume normal activities as tolerated, including exercise, the day following the STRETTA procedure.
Do not forget to take your acid lowering medication, such as Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, Aciphex, Dexilant, Zantac, Prevacid or Nexium, for at least the first month
Do not forget to take your acid lowering medication, such as Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, Aciphex, Dexilant, Zantac, Prevacid or Nexium, for at least the first month.
- After your procedure. If you are not taking these medications you must immediately tell your doctor.
- Do call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Severe chest or abdominal pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever or chills
- Vomiting of blood or coffee ground appearing material
- Bloody or black tarry looking bowel movements
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Do carry your STRETTA information card with you at all times for the first month after your procedure. If you are hospitalized or visit the ER, do not allow any tubes or instruments to be introduced into your esophagus, unless the doctor who performed your STRETTA procedure is first notified.
