Your physician will usually suggest certain lifestyle modifications and dietary changes first. If you continue to have symptoms after these modifications, your physician will discuss with you the use of antacids neutralize stomach acid (which includes Rolaids, Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, and Gaviscon), H2 blockers (which includes Tagamet, Pepcid, Zantac, and Axid), and Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) (which includes Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium, Aciphex, and Protonix). If your physician and you decide a surgical option is needed, the most common surgical treatment for GERD is the fundoplications surgery. Another procedure sometimes used in the treatment of GERD is the radiofrequency treatment.
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Jeez, I didn’t even know they were sugical options available for GERD. Every time I’ve been to a doctor I’ve just been recommended the proton-pump stuff, and while that does help short-term, it seems like the GERD always comes back. So I stopped going to doctors really.
I’ve mostly tried to stay away from foods that make the GERD worse, but really I miss drinking more than half-a-can of beer at a time and so on. I might have to really think about this surgery stuff. I used to really love having a glass of wine at night as well.
I would say stopping your doctor visits is a bit extreme. Maybe you should see a specialist on the topic. There is so much information out there on GERD, especially on controlling it with diet.
I like to use the web to find GER-friendly recipes. I tried this one the other day (it was really pretty good!) and I think they have a whole data base for you to try:
http://www.refluxmd.com/learn/resources/2012-09-06/308/reflux-disease-friendly-recipe-marinated-mushroom-sandwich
Good luck!