Understanding Heartburn After Surgery: Causes, Risks, and Relief

Explore the reasons behind post-surgical heartburn, who is at risk, and the best ways to treat and prevent discomfort after an operation.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach

Created on Sep 26, 2025

Explore the reasons behind post-surgical heartburn, who is at risk, and the best ways to treat and prevent discomfort after an operation.

Heartburn, also known as acid reflux, is a frequent concern among people recovering from surgery—even when surgery is not directly related to the digestive system. This article thoroughly explores why heartburn occurs after surgery, who is most at risk, commonly experienced symptoms, available treatment options, and actionable steps you can take to promote recovery and prevent discomfort.

Is Heartburn Common After Surgery?

Experiencing heartburn following surgery is relatively common, affecting patients irrespective of the operation’s focus. The sensation of burning in the chest can be surprising, especially when surgery is unrelated to the gastrointestinal tract, but it often results from the effects of anesthesia, medication, or stress the body endures while healing.

General anesthesia may relax the muscles that usually prevent stomach acid from moving up into the esophagus.
Some surgeries, particularly those involving the digestive system or abdominal organs, may directly affect how the stomach and esophagus function.
Common side effects post-surgery include thirst, restlessness, nausea, and pain, but heartburn is frequently reported as well.

What Causes Heartburn After Surgery?

Heartburn after surgery results primarily from stomach acid moving upward into the esophagus, often due to:

Relaxation of the esophageal sphincter: General anesthesia and certain medications can cause the lower esophageal sphincter—the muscular ring that prevents acid reflux—to relax excessively.
Overproduction of stomach acid: The body’s stress response to surgery or changes in stomach size (following bariatric procedures) can increase acid production.
Physical trauma: Surgeries involving the stomach (like sleeve gastrectomy) may create swelling or higher internal pressure, increasing the risk of reflux.
Nausea and vomiting: These are common post-anesthesia effects. Vomiting brings gastric contents into the esophagus, intensifying irritation and heartburn symptoms.

In rare cases, inhaling stomach acid into the lungs may cause serious complications, such as aspiration pneumonia. If you experience difficulty breathing, persistent cough, or fever after surgery, notify your healthcare provider immediately.

Statistics and Research Findings

A 2019 study on aortic heart valve surgery found that about 9% of patients experienced acid reflux in the first 12 hours following the procedure.
Operations directly involving the stomach or esophagus such as bariatric surgeries (e.g., sleeve gastrectomy) pose a higher risk for postoperative heartburn.

Symptoms to Watch For

The characteristics of post-surgical heartburn are similar to those experienced in other settings. Symptoms might include:

Burning chest pain (especially after eating or when lying down)
Acidic or bitter taste in the mouth
Regurgitation of food or sour liquid
Difficulty swallowing
Sore throat, hoarseness, or unexplained cough

Most heartburn symptoms resolve in the hours to days following the operation. However, some warning signs require prompt attention from your healthcare team:

Intense chest pain that does not improve or worsens
Shortness of breath, especially with fever or productive cough
Persistent vomiting or inability to keep fluids down
Black or bloody vomit indicating potential internal bleeding

Who Is at Greatest Risk?

A range of factors can increase the likelihood of developing heartburn after surgery, including:

Type of surgery: Gastrointestinal, abdominal, or bariatric operations carry an inherently higher risk.
History of acid reflux or GERD: Individuals with chronic acid reflux before surgery are more likely to experience symptoms afterwards.
Poor esophageal sphincter function: Age or previous injury to esophageal muscles can impair acid-blocking mechanisms.
Obesity: Increased abdominal pressure predisposes to reflux after anesthesia.
Certain medications: Drugs commonly used around surgery—such as sedatives, painkillers, and antihistamines—may relax esophageal muscles and trigger reflux.

Treatment Options for Heartburn After Surgery

For most people, heartburn after surgery is temporary and can be managed effectively with a combination of dietary adjustments, lifestyle changes, and medications prescribed or recommended by the healthcare team.

Common Approaches Include:

Small sips of water: Drinking slowly and gradually can help neutralize acid and clear the esophagus. Avoid drinking large amounts at once to prevent overfilling the stomach.
Antacids: Over-the-counter or prescribed medications that neutralize stomach acid (e.g., calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide) provide fast relief from symptoms.
H2 blockers and Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): These reduce the production of stomach acid and provide longer-lasting symptom control.
Medications to enhance motility: In some cases, drugs that help move stomach contents along (prokinetic agents) may be used to prevent reflux.

Simple Strategies to Reduce Heartburn

Avoid lying flat immediately after eating or drinking
Eat smaller, more frequent meals to prevent stomach distension
Avoid spicy, acidic, or fatty foods that irritate the stomach lining
Elevate the head of your bed or upper body when resting
Wear loose-fitting clothing to reduce abdominal pressure

Tip: If you’re in the hospital, always tell your nurse or care team if you experience new or worsening heartburn symptoms. Medication regimens may be adjusted for safety and comfort.

When to Contact Your Healthcare Team

Most cases of post-surgical heartburn improve within 12 to 48 hours and do not require emergency intervention. Still, any persistent, severe, or unusual symptoms warrant prompt medical advice. Notify your care team if you experience:

Heartburn that lasts more than a few days after surgery
Symptoms that are not relieved by antacids or prescription medications
Associated chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, or dizziness
Recurrent vomiting, inability to eat or drink, or blood in vomit or stool

Preventing Heartburn After Surgery

While some risk factors, such as the effects of anesthesia or the type of surgery, cannot be modified, there are steps you can take to lower your chances of experiencing heartburn:

Follow preoperative and postoperative dietary and medication instructions closely
Limit large, heavy meals—especially close to bedtime
Avoid known triggers such as caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, acidic fruits, tomatoes, and spicy foods immediately following surgery
If you have a prior history of acid reflux, share this information with your surgical and anesthetic teams pre-procedure
Work toward a healthy weight before and after surgery, if possible, in collaboration with your medical team

Table: Quick Comparison of Treatment Approaches

Approach	Purpose	When Used	Notes
Antacids	Neutralize existing stomach acid	Immediate relief; mild symptoms	Useful short-term
H2 blockers	Reduce acid production	Persistent or moderate symptoms	Longer effect than antacids
PPIs	Profound acid suppression	Severe or recurring heartburn	Onset in days; long-term use monitored
Motility agents	Boost stomach emptying	When reflux is due to delayed emptying	Prescription only
Lifestyle changes	Limit triggers/prevent discomfort	All post-surgical patients	Critical for long-term prevention

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is heartburn after surgery dangerous?

For most people, mild heartburn after surgery is a benign and temporary side effect of anesthesia and the body’s recovery process. However, if symptoms are severe, persistent, or accompanied by breathing difficulties or black or bloody vomit, seek medical attention immediately.

How long does heartburn last after surgery?

For the majority, heartburn symptoms resolve within 12 to 48 hours post-surgery. If heartburn continues for several days or worsens, notify your healthcare team for further assessment and management.

Are there specific types of surgery that increase heartburn risk?

Yes. Surgeries involving the stomach, esophagus, or upper abdomen—such as bariatric or anti-reflux procedures—carry a higher risk due to direct impact on digestive structures. Nonetheless, even non-abdominal surgeries may trigger heartburn through anesthesia’s systemic effects.

What foods should I avoid after surgery to reduce heartburn risk?

Immediately following surgery, minimize or avoid:

Spicy foods
Caffeinated and carbonated beverages
Alcohol
Chocolate
Tomato-based dishes and citrus fruits
Fried or fatty foods

These foods are known to relax the esophageal sphincter or stimulate acid production.

What role does anesthesia play in causing post-surgical heartburn?

Anesthesia works by relaxing muscles throughout the body, including the lower esophageal sphincter. As a result, acid is allowed to reflux into the esophagus more easily during and after surgery. Medication adjustments and careful monitoring can help control these effects.

Sources and Further Reading

Healthline – Heartburn After Surgery: Causes and Treatment
Medical News Today – Acid Reflux: Causes, Treatment, and Symptoms
American Society of Anesthesiologists – Effects of Anesthesia

References

Author

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

Read full bio of Sneha Tete