Acid Reflux Heartburn Treatment In Tampa, FL

Choosing the right reflux specialist in Tampa makes all the difference between years of frustration and finally getting relief. Most patients who walk through our doors have already seen multiple doctors, tried various medications, and modified their diets without lasting results. They arrive confused and discouraged. They leave educated and empowered.
What sets our practice apart starts with how we think about acid reflux and heartburn treatment. We understand that reflux is rarely just an acid problem. It is most often a mechanical disorder involving a weak lower esophageal sphincter, a hiatal hernia, or loss of diaphragmatic support. Medications reduce acid production, but they do not fix the underlying valve failure. This is why so many patients continue having symptoms despite taking pills every day.
Our diagnostic approach goes far beyond a standard endoscopy. While other practices may perform an upper endoscopy, declare it normal, and send you home with a prescription refill, we know that a normal endoscopy does not rule out reflux. Endoscopy looks for damage, not reflux events themselves. Many patients with severe reflux have completely normal endoscopies, especially when taking acid suppressing medications. This is why we use objective testing including 24 hour pH monitoring, esophageal manometry, and specialized impedance testing to measure what is actually happening inside your body.
Every patient receives a thorough consultation where Dr. Grandhige personally reviews all prior testing before you even arrive. During your visit, he takes time to explain reflux using visual diagrams and plain language. You will understand why your symptoms occur, which symptoms are likely reflux related, and which may have other causes. Many patients tell us this is the first time anyone has actually explained their condition in a way that makes sense.
We also believe in conservative, appropriate care. Our goal is not to push everyone toward surgery. In fact, many patients leave our office with reassurance, education, and a non surgical plan. Dr. Grandhige is well known in the Tampa medical community for carefully selecting surgical candidates and saying no when surgery is not the right answer. This integrity has built lasting trust with referring physicians across the region, from gastroenterologists and ENT doctors to pulmonologists and primary care providers.

When surgery is appropriate, we offer the most advanced options available. Our practice performs fundoplication in multiple configurations, LINX magnetic sphincter augmentation, and TIF transoral incisionless fundoplication. Starting in 2026, we will be adding RefluxStop, making us the only practice in Tampa Bay offering all four major anti reflux procedures. This means your treatment is matched to your unique anatomy and physiology, not limited to whatever procedure a surgeon happens to perform.

Getting to the root cause of your acid reflux or heartburn requires more than guessing. At Tampa Bay Reflux Institute, we follow a systematic, evidence based process that has helped thousands of Tampa residents finally get clarity about their symptoms.
Before you even walk into our office, Dr. Grandhige personally reviews all your available medical records. This includes prior endoscopies, pH testing, manometry results, imaging studies, and notes from other physicians. He wants to understand not just what tests were done, but how those results have been interpreted. Many patients are surprised to learn that tests performed years ago contain valuable information that was never fully explained.
During your consultation, we start with a detailed symptom history. We want to know when symptoms started, what makes them better or worse, how they affect your sleep and daily activities, and what treatments you have already tried. Dr. Grandhige then explains the mechanics of reflux using drawings and diagrams. This is not a rushed appointment. Most consultations run longer than typical doctor visits because education is a core part of our philosophy.
Next comes objective testing. Depending on what has already been completed, we may recommend upper endoscopy, 24 hour pH monitoring, esophageal manometry, or specialized dual channel pH impedance testing for patients with throat symptoms and silent reflux. Each test answers a specific question. Endoscopy evaluates anatomy and complications. pH monitoring proves whether reflux is actually occurring and correlates symptoms with reflux events. Manometry measures esophageal strength and coordination, which directly influences which procedures are safe for you.
For patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux, also called silent reflux, we use customized testing that measures acid and non acid reflux above both the lower and upper esophageal sphincters. This advanced approach allows us to diagnose LPR with far greater accuracy than standard testing, which is why our success rates for throat symptoms are approximately 80 percent compared to the 50 percent often quoted elsewhere.
Once testing is complete, we schedule a follow up consultation to review results in detail. Dr. Grandhige explains what the numbers mean, which findings are significant, and how they relate to your specific symptoms. You will learn which symptoms are very likely reflux related, which are unlikely to improve with reflux treatment, and which may be multifactorial. This honesty protects you from unrealistic expectations and unnecessary procedures.
If surgery is recommended, we discuss all available options including the benefits, risks, durability, and side effects of each approach. The decision is never rushed. You will understand why a particular procedure fits your anatomy and goals, or why surgery may not be the best path forward. Our role is to provide clarity and education, not pressure.

Tampa Bay Reflux Institute offers the full spectrum of reflux care, from comprehensive diagnostic testing to advanced surgical procedures. Our services are designed around one principle: match the right treatment to the right patient based on objective evidence.
For diagnostic evaluation, we provide upper endoscopy with biopsy, wireless Bravo pH capsule monitoring, catheter based pH and impedance testing, high resolution esophageal manometry, and barium swallow studies. These tests work together to create a complete picture of your foregut function. We also offer specialized dual channel pH impedance testing for patients with chronic throat clearing, hoarseness, cough, or other symptoms of silent reflux that standard testing often misses.
When medical management is appropriate, we work closely with your referring physician to optimize medication regimens and lifestyle modifications. We believe in supporting your current doctor, not replacing them. Many patients continue seeing their gastroenterologist or primary care provider for ongoing care while we provide specialized consultation and testing interpretation.
For patients who need procedural intervention, we perform multiple types of fundoplication including Nissen 360 degree wrap, Toupet posterior 270 degree wrap, Watson anterior 270 degree wrap, and Dor anterior partial wrap. The specific configuration is chosen based on your esophageal motility testing. Patients with weaker esophageal contractions receive partial wraps to minimize swallowing difficulty, while those with strong motility may benefit from a full wrap for maximum durability.
We also offer LINX magnetic sphincter augmentation, a reversible procedure that preserves normal anatomy while preventing reflux. LINX works by placing a ring of magnetic titanium beads around the lower esophagus. The device dynamically opens when you swallow but resists opening during reflux events. Because LINX does not wrap the stomach, most patients can burp and vomit once inflammation resolves, which significantly reduces gas bloat symptoms compared to some fundoplication configurations.
For carefully selected patients with minimal or no hiatal hernia, we perform TIF transoral incisionless fundoplication using the EsophyX device. This endoscopic procedure is performed entirely through the mouth without external incisions. TIF recreates a partial valve at the gastroesophageal junction to reduce reflux while preserving swallowing mechanics. Recovery is typically faster than surgical options, though long term durability is lower, making patient selection critical.

All surgical procedures are performed at HCA South Tampa Hospital using minimally invasive laparoscopic or robotic techniques. Most patients go home the same day. We also repair hiatal hernias of all sizes, perform esophageal myotomy for achalasia, and treat gastroparesis with endoscopic pyloromyotomy when appropriate.

• You wake up multiple times each night with acid in your throat or a bitter taste in your mouth
• You have been taking omeprazole, pantoprazole, or another proton pump inhibitor daily for years without ever stopping
• Your doctor told you that your endoscopy was normal, but you still have heartburn and regurgitation almost every day
• You need to take your reflux medication twice daily just to get through the day
• You experience chronic throat clearing, hoarseness, or a persistent cough that pulmonologists and ENT doctors cannot explain
• You feel a lump in your throat or like something is stuck, but swallowing tests came back normal
• You avoid eating certain foods or lying down after meals because you know reflux will follow
• You were told you have a hiatal hernia, but no one has explained what that means or whether it needs treatment
• You regurgitate food hours after eating, especially when bending over or exercising
• You are tired of depending on medication and want to know if there are other options

Tampa Bay Reflux Institute proudly serves patients throughout the Tampa Bay region from our convenient South Tampa location. Our office at 1315 South Howard Avenue is easily accessible from Hyde Park, Palma Ceia, Bayshore, Westchase, Carrollwood, Brandon, Riverview, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg. We are located in a yellow brick building right next to Sally O’Neill’s Pizza, with parking available behind the restaurant.

While many of our patients come from Tampa and surrounding neighborhoods, we also regularly see patients who travel from across Florida including Orlando, Sarasota, Naples, Fort Myers, Miami, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee. Some patients even reach out from other states and internationally because they want a comprehensive, testing based evaluation rather than a quick procedural recommendation. Our team is experienced in coordinating care for out of town patients, consolidating testing efficiently, and minimizing travel requirements.

Dr. Grandhige has practiced in Tampa Bay for over 16 years, building deep relationships with referring physicians and the local medical community. He is actively involved in Tampa beyond the operating room, supporting organizations like Feeding Tampa Bay, Equality Florida, and local initiatives focused on health equity and community wellness. This commitment to the region extends to supporting local entrepreneurs including Meachem Urban Farm and other sustainability focused businesses.

Our surgical procedures are performed exclusively at HCA South Tampa Hospital, where we work with the same dedicated operating room team, anesthesiologists, and nursing staff for every case. This consistency is critical for optimal outcomes. Unlike surgeons who operate sporadically across multiple facilities, our focused approach creates a refined system where every team member knows exactly what to expect. This translates into shorter operative times, fewer complications, and smoother recoveries for patients.

Whether you are driving from South Tampa just minutes away or flying in from another state, our goal remains the same: provide you with thorough evaluation, honest recommendations, and world class care close enough for convenient follow up.

When patients are appropriately selected using objective testing and we perform procedures matched to their anatomy and physiology, outcomes are consistently excellent. For patients with typical reflux symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation who have confirmed reflux, a hiatal hernia, and good esophageal function, we achieve greater than 95 percent success rates in significant symptom relief and elimination of daily reflux medications.

These results are not accidental. They reflect careful diagnostic work, conservative patient selection, and a willingness to say no when surgery is unlikely to help. One of the reasons Tampa Bay Reflux Institute has built such strong referral relationships with gastroenterologists and other specialists is because referring physicians know their patients will receive thorough evaluation, not automatic surgery recommendations.

Patients consistently tell us that the consultation itself was valuable even when they chose not to proceed with surgery. Many arrive expecting to be scheduled for an operation and leave instead with clarity about their diagnosis, reassurance that their symptoms make sense, and a better understanding of all their options. This educational approach has created a practice built on trust rather than volume.

Our long term follow up also sets us apart. Because Dr. Grandhige has been practicing in Tampa for over 16 years, we see patients years after their procedures. This allows us to honestly assess durability, recognize patterns in outcomes, and continuously refine our approach. Many patients return for unrelated care or simply to report how well they are doing, which reinforces the importance of getting the diagnosis and procedure selection right the first time.