People who experience frequent heartburn, reflux, or nighttime digestive symptoms are invited to learn about minimally-invasive surgical treatment options during a free community seminar hosted by Rome Health at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, August 6th at the hospital in its 2nd floor classroom.
The seminar, “Beyond Heartburn: Understanding Surgical Options for GERD,” will be presented by fellowship-trained surgeons Leo Amodu, MD, MPH and Sayali Kulkarni, MD. The specialists are accepting new patients at Rome Health Surgical Specialists, located in the Medical Center on Rome Health’s main campus.
The event will focus on gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as GERD, a chronic condition that occurs when stomach contents repeatedly flow backward into the esophagus. Symptoms may include persistent heartburn, regurgitation, chronic cough, throat irritation, chest discomfort, or difficulty sleeping.
While medications can reduce stomach acid, they may not address the underlying cause of reflux.
“Many patients don’t realize there are additional treatment options available when reflux symptoms continue despite medication,” Dr. Amodu said. “This seminar is an opportunity for people to better understand GERD and learn when it may be appropriate to consider a surgical evaluation.”
During the seminar, Dr. Amodu and Dr. Kulkarni will discuss how reflux is diagnosed, why symptoms can worsen over time, and which patients may benefit from minimally invasive or robotic procedures designed to reduce or eliminate reflux symptoms.
“People often adjust their lifestyles around reflux without recognizing how significantly it affects their quality of life,” Dr. Kulkarni said. “Our goal is to help patients understand that they may have options beyond long-term medication use.”
The presentation is intended for individuals who experience frequent heartburn, rely on daily reflux medication, have nighttime symptoms, or have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia.
The seminar is free and open to the public. Space is limited, and advance registration is encouraged. To register or learn more, call 315-356-7788.