Hiatal Hernia Doctor In Clearwater, FL

Dr. Gopal Grandhige, MD, is a board-certified foregut surgeon who treats hiatal hernias and reflux for patients across Pinellas County, about 25 to 40 minutes from Clearwater at his South Tampa practice. Every hiatal hernia repair here starts with objective testing to confirm what is actually causing your symptoms, instead of a decision based on symptoms alone.

When a hiatal hernia needs a foregut specialist

See a foregut specialist if your reflux keeps breaking through medication, you have a hiatal hernia larger than 3 centimeters, or your symptoms do not match what your endoscopy showed. Medication lowers acid. It does not repair a stretched diaphragm or a weak valve, which is why symptoms return for so many people after years on a proton pump inhibitor.

You have a good reason to be evaluated if any of these apply:

  • Reflux comes back the moment you miss a dose, or you need twice-daily medication to feel normal.
  • You have a hiatal hernia over 3 centimeters, which almost always drives reflux mechanically and rarely settles with medication.
  • Nighttime regurgitation, chronic cough, or hoarseness has not improved with allergy or asthma treatment, which often points to silent reflux.
  • Your endoscopy came back normal but your symptoms did not stop.
  • You already have a complication of reflux: severe esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, or a stricture.
  • You want off long-term medication and want to know whether a mechanical fix fits your anatomy.

Why Clearwater patients cross the bay for foregut surgery

Happy patient after heartburn surgery

Most surgeons who repair hiatal hernias do it alongside gallbladders, appendices, and other general cases. A foregut surgeon works on the esophagus, diaphragm, and stomach as the core of the practice, which is where volume and judgment come from. For a repair you want done right the first time, that focus matters more than the length of the drive.

The numbers are the clearest way to see the difference. Dr. Grandhige has performed over 600 fundoplications, over 600 LINX procedures, and over 200 TIF procedures. He is the only board-certified surgeon in the Tampa Bay area who performs all three of these anti-reflux procedures regularly.

Getting the first repair right also protects you later. Redo surgery is more complex than a first operation, and recurrence risk climbs with larger hernias, weight changes, and chronic coughing. A repair built on the wrong diagnosis, or done without addressing the diaphragm, is the kind that fails and needs revising.

If you are comparing surgeons near Clearwater, ask each one the same three questions: how many hiatal hernia and anti-reflux cases they do per year, what their redo rate is, and whether they require pH testing, manometry, and imaging before recommending surgery. A surgeon who skips objective testing, or who offers the same operation to almost everyone, is a warning sign.

How Dr. Grandhige decides whether you need surgery

Dr. Grandhige does not recommend surgery based on symptoms. He confirms reflux with objective testing first, then matches the procedure to your anatomy and esophageal function. As he tells patients, the operation is the last step. The decision-making is the surgery.

His selection process runs in a set order:

  1. Confirm reflux is real, using pH testing and symptom correlation, and sort out whether it is acid, non-acid, or bile.
  2. Map the anatomy: hernia size, esophageal length, and how the stomach, diaphragm, and esophagus sit together.
  3. Test esophageal function with manometry. This is the most overlooked step, and a weak or spastic esophagus changes which procedure is safe.
  4. Sort symptoms by cause: which are very likely reflux, which are unlikely, and which are mixed.
  5. Weigh your priorities, such as durability, getting off medication, or keeping the ability to burp and vomit.
  6. Choose a procedure, or choose none.

That last option is real. He operates on fewer patients than surgeons who decide from symptoms, and the restraint is deliberate. In silent reflux, for example, only about 50 to 60 percent of patients have testing that justifies surgery. The patients he declines are sometimes the most frustrated, but they would be more frustrated after an operation that could not have helped them.

The reflux testing most workups skip

Four tests answer four different questions, and skipping any of them is how people end up with the wrong procedure. Endoscopy shows damage. pH monitoring shows whether reflux is happening and how much. Manometry shows whether your esophagus can handle a repair. A barium swallow shows how you actually swallow.

Here is what each one does:

  • Upper endoscopy checks anatomy and complications, not GERD itself. A normal endoscopy does not rule out reflux, because it does not measure reflux events.
  • pH monitoring is the gold standard. Over 48 to 72 hours of normal daily life, it records how often reflux happens, how long it lasts, how acidic it is, and whether it lines up with your symptoms.
  • Manometry measures esophageal strength and coordination. It catches achalasia and motility disorders that mimic reflux but will not improve with reflux surgery, and can be made worse by it.
  • A barium swallow shows the esophagus moving in real time. One useful detail: where a patient feels food stick matches the true location only about 60 percent of the time, so imaging finds problems that symptoms alone cannot pinpoint.

For silent reflux (LPR), Dr. Grandhige uses a customized 24-hour pH-impedance dual-channel probe that measures reflux above both the lower and the upper esophageal sphincter, and picks up non-acid reflux like bile and pepsin, not just acid in the lower esophagus. Standard testing usually looks only at the lower esophagus and misses reflux that reaches the throat. This test is uncommon because it is technically demanding and poorly reimbursed. It is also why he reports improving the right LPR patients to roughly 80 percent, against the roughly 50 percent often quoted when patients are chosen without it. Fewer LPR patients get surgery, but the ones who do are far more likely to improve.

Hiatal hernia repair and your options

A hiatal hernia is a stretched or weakened opening in the diaphragm that lets the top of the stomach slip into the chest, which breaks the reflux barrier. Almost everyone with reflux has one, even a small hernia that endoscopy misses. Repairing it is what makes a reflux operation durable.

Dr. Grandhige recommends repair when a hernia is over 3 centimeters, when any hernia comes with significant reflux symptoms and especially regurgitation, when there are complications like severe esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, or a stricture, and when a hernia turns up during a reflux-surgery workup. Leaving the hernia unrepaired is one of the most common reasons reflux treatment fails. This lines up with the SAGES patient guidance on anti-reflux surgery, which notes that a reflux operation fixes the hiatal hernia first, then reinforces the valve.

The practice performs every current anti-reflux procedure, so the choice is driven by your anatomy rather than by what the surgeon happens to offer:

  • Fundoplication uses your own stomach to reinforce the weak valve. It is durable, handles large hernias, and has decades of outcome data. The wrap type (Nissen 360 degree, Toupet posterior 270, Dor anterior partial, or Watson anterior 270) is chosen from your motility results.
  • LINX is a ring of magnetic titanium beads placed around the lower esophagus. It resists reflux but opens to let food pass, usually preserves burping and vomiting, is compatible with MRI up to 1.5 Tesla, and can be removed if needed. It requires good esophageal motility.
  • TIF (EsophyX) is done through the mouth with no incisions, for mild to moderate reflux with little or no hiatal hernia and no complications. It cannot repair a hernia or address the diaphragm. Dr. Grandhige is direct about durability: he quotes a failure rate near 2 percent per year, roughly 20 percent per decade, and calls it the best endoscopic option available, not a permanent one.

In 2026, Dr. Grandhige is adding RefluxStop, which will make him the only surgeon in the Tampa Bay area to offer all four anti-reflux procedures. There is no single best reflux operation. There is the right operation for your anatomy, motility, symptoms, and goals, chosen after testing.

Recovery, results, and traveling from Clearwater

Most reflux procedures here are outpatient. You go home the same day, start on liquids, and move to soft foods and then regular textures over two to three months. In appropriately selected patients, Dr. Grandhige reports symptom relief and elimination of daily reflux medication in more than 90 percent of fundoplication cases. For the most straightforward patients, meaning typical reflux with objective evidence of reflux, good anatomy, and good esophageal function, he reports success above 95 percent for symptom relief, coming off daily medication, and satisfaction.

He is equally clear about limits. No procedure works every time, durability varies by procedure and patient, and some symptoms are multifactorial and will not all resolve. Silent reflux symptoms often take four to six months to improve, unlike typical heartburn, which can settle almost immediately. Early recovery also matters for the repair itself: professional guidelines for hiatal hernia surgery call for treating post-operative nausea and vomiting aggressively, because vomiting in the early days can pull a fresh repair apart, and Dr. Grandhige manages nausea closely for that reason.

Distance is the practical worry for Pinellas patients, and the team is set up for it. When testing can be done closer to Clearwater, it is, so you are not making extra trips across the bay. Scheduling, follow-up, and insurance authorization are handled by the office, and authorization is always secured before surgery is scheduled. Most patients are seen within two weeks and always within four, and the path from first visit to surgery is usually four to eight weeks: one consultation if your testing is already complete, two visits about four weeks apart if testing still needs to be done.

About Dr. Gopal Grandhige

Gopal Grandhige, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon and the founder and medical director of Tampa Bay Reflux Institute, which grew out of the practice he started in 2009. He completed his biology degree at Johns Hopkins University, medical school at the University of Michigan, and his general surgery residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital, followed by fellowships there in burn and critical care and in foregut surgery and minimally invasive surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, and a founding member of the American Foregut Society. You can read more about his background and approach on the Tampa Bay Reflux Institute site.

He performs all of his surgeries at HCA South Tampa Hospital, with the same operating-room team, a dedicated physician assistant in every case, and office staff who have worked with him for more than a decade. That consistency is a deliberate choice, since small differences in a foregut operation affect swallowing and reflux control for years. He also holds privileges at St. Joseph’s Main, St. Joseph’s South, and HCA Brandon. Patients can independently confirm his standing through the American Board of Surgery, the American College of Surgeons directory, and the Florida Department of Health license lookup.

FAQS

No. The practice is in South Tampa, about 25 to 40 minutes from Clearwater depending on traffic. Many Pinellas patients make the drive on purpose, because complex and recurrent hiatal hernias do better with a surgeon who does foregut work every day rather than occasionally.

Not always. When a test can be done closer to Clearwater, the office arranges it there and consolidates the rest so you make as few trips across the bay as possible.

No. Endoscopy looks for damage from reflux, such as inflammation or Barrett’s esophagus. It does not measure reflux itself. Many people with significant reflux have a normal endoscopy, which is why pH testing is used to confirm the diagnosis.

When you have a hernia over 3 centimeters, symptoms that break through daily or twice-daily medication, a complication of reflux, or a wish to stop long-term medication, and objective testing confirms mechanical reflux. Considering surgery does not commit you to it.

That is decided after testing, not before. The choice depends on your hernia size, esophageal motility, symptom pattern, and goals. Because Dr. Grandhige performs fundoplication, LINX, and TIF, the decision is based on what fits you rather than on a single option.

It depends on the procedure. LINX usually preserves both. A fundoplication can limit them, sometimes temporarily and sometimes longer, depending on the wrap. This is discussed before you choose, because it matters to a lot of patients.

Usually four to eight weeks. If your testing is already complete, one consultation is often enough. If testing is still needed, a second visit about four weeks later reviews the results and finalizes the plan. The office handles insurance authorization before surgery is scheduled.

Dr. Grandhige is explicit up front about which symptoms should improve, which may improve partly, and which are unlikely to be reflux at all. The general guidance is to give it about six months, then address anything that remains, sometimes with an ENT, pulmonologist, or gastroenterologist.

Get a clear answer about your hiatal hernia

You do not have to keep guessing whether medication is your only option. Send your prior records to info@tampareflux.com and Dr. Grandhige reviews them before your visit, so your consultation starts with answers instead of paperwork.

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Dr. Gopal Grandhige specializes in the treatment of Hiatal Hernias, Reflux (GERD), Gastroparesis, LPR (silent reflux) and Achalasia

An endoscopy cannot tell you if you have reflux. It can only tell you if you have complications of GERD.

If you are unhappy with your reflux symptoms, come in and we can discuss testing and treatments that can accurately diagnose your problem.

#reflux #gerd #hiatalhernia #gastroparesis #linx

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Open post by tampareflux with ID 18117016606567964
An endoscopy cannot tell you if you have reflux. It can only tell you if you have complications of GERD. If you are unhappy with your reflux symptoms, come in and we can discuss testing and treatments that can accurately diagnose your problem. #reflux #gerd #hiatalhernia #gastroparesis #linx

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CALL US AT 813-922-2920
www.tampareflux.com

If you have a hiatal hernia and fit one of these categories, you should know your options.

Dr. Grandhige is an expert in his field and performs 200 of these surgeries a year. He is the only surgeon in the Tampa Bay Area who offers all surgical options - LINX, Fundoplications, TIF and will be one of 20 surgeons in America introducing the latest procedure RefluxStop in 2026.

We accept most insurances but will verify yours before you come in. These procedures are considered medically necessary and covered by your insurance. You can expect to pay your in-network deductibles and nothing else.

#hiatalhernia #reflux #GERD #LINX #refluxstop

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Open post by tampareflux with ID 17991850604883485
CALL US AT 813-922-2920 www.tampareflux.com If you have a hiatal hernia and fit one of these categories, you should know your options. Dr. Grandhige is an expert in his field and performs 200 of these surgeries a year. He is the only surgeon in the Tampa Bay Area who offers all surgical options - LINX, Fundoplications, TIF and will be one of 20 surgeons in America introducing the latest procedure RefluxStop in 2026. We accept most insurances but will verify yours before you come in. These procedures are considered medically necessary and covered by your insurance. You can expect to pay your in-network deductibles and nothing else. #hiatalhernia #reflux #GERD #LINX #refluxstop

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What causes reflux ?

1. Weak lower esophageal sphincter
2. Hiatal hernia
3. Flattening of the Angle of His
4. Poor esophageal motility
5. Gastroparesis (slow stomach)

NOT increased acid production

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Open post by tampareflux with ID 18082622333164146
What causes reflux ? 1. Weak lower esophageal sphincter 2. Hiatal hernia 3. Flattening of the Angle of His 4. Poor esophageal motility 5. Gastroparesis (slow stomach) NOT increased acid production

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Don’t let GERD get in the way of living your life. Request your appointment with us today on the link below.
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https://tampareflux.com/contact-us/

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Open post by tampareflux with ID 17987439043972907
Don’t let GERD get in the way of living your life. Request your appointment with us today on the link below. . . . . https://tampareflux.com/contact-us/

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Anyone can be victim to GERD and though weight loss can help reduce GERD symptoms. Many athletes with high impact workouts may continue to have these symptoms. This may be a symptom of a hiatal hernia or other issue. We are more then happy to assist you in finding your solution, just click the link below.
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https://tampareflux.com/contact-us/

##healthylifestyle #workout #athletereflux #PPIs #heartburn #LINX #fundoplication #TIF #GERD#tampaheartburn #linx #TIF #fundoplication #tampabayreflux #GERD #acidreflux #acidrefluxsurgery #stopreflux
#nonsurgicalweightloss #ESG #gastricballoon #weightlossjourney #vsg #vsgjourney #spatz3 #orbera #orberaballoon #grandhige #DrG
#tampabayrefluxinstitute #guthealth #roboticsurgery

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Open post by tampareflux with ID 18254362480198807
Anyone can be victim to GERD and though weight loss can help reduce GERD symptoms. Many athletes with high impact workouts may continue to have these symptoms. This may be a symptom of a hiatal hernia or other issue. We are more then happy to assist you in finding your solution, just click the link below. . . . https://tampareflux.com/contact-us/ ##healthylifestyle #workout #athletereflux #PPIs #heartburn #LINX #fundoplication #TIF #GERD#tampaheartburn #linx #TIF #fundoplication #tampabayreflux #GERD #acidreflux #acidrefluxsurgery #stopreflux #nonsurgicalweightloss #ESG #gastricballoon #weightlossjourney #vsg #vsgjourney #spatz3 #orbera #orberaballoon #grandhige #DrG #tampabayrefluxinstitute #guthealth #roboticsurgery

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Heartburn may seem like an annoyance. But if you find yourself having symptoms on a daily basis, it may be time to to talk to Dr. Grandhige as it could be a symptom of something worse.
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#chronicheartburn #gerdsymptoms #heartburnrelief #reflux #PPIs #heartburn #LINX #fundoplication #TIF #GERD#tampaheartburn #linx #TIF #fundoplication #tampabayreflux #GERD #acidreflux #acidrefluxsurgery #stopreflux
#nonsurgicalweightloss #ESG #gastricballoon #weightlossjourney #vsg #vsgjourney #spatz3 #orbera #orberaballoon #grandhige #DrG
#tampabayrefluxinstitute #guthealth #roboticsurgery

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Open post by tampareflux with ID 17982108305010204
Heartburn may seem like an annoyance. But if you find yourself having symptoms on a daily basis, it may be time to to talk to Dr. Grandhige as it could be a symptom of something worse. . . . #chronicheartburn #gerdsymptoms #heartburnrelief #reflux #PPIs #heartburn #LINX #fundoplication #TIF #GERD#tampaheartburn #linx #TIF #fundoplication #tampabayreflux #GERD #acidreflux #acidrefluxsurgery #stopreflux #nonsurgicalweightloss #ESG #gastricballoon #weightlossjourney #vsg #vsgjourney #spatz3 #orbera #orberaballoon #grandhige #DrG #tampabayrefluxinstitute #guthealth #roboticsurgery

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If you are tired of avoiding your favorite foods or taking daily medications, we can help.

We are the Tampa experts in reflux ! With years of experience and thousands of patients treated successfully, we offer all FDA approved anti-reflux procedures.

Call 813-922-2920 to schedule your appointment
All major insurances accepted.

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Open post by tampareflux with ID 17988569857918398
If you are tired of avoiding your favorite foods or taking daily medications, we can help. We are the Tampa experts in reflux ! With years of experience and thousands of patients treated successfully, we offer all FDA approved anti-reflux procedures. Call 813-922-2920 to schedule your appointment All major insurances accepted.

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Not all patients need surgical intervention. Many patients are living a heartburn free life with their PPIs. However 40% of patients taking PPIs are not getting the relief they need. If you are one of those, you have options! Come in and find out more.
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#letushelpyou #medsnotworking #reflux #PPIs #heartburn #LINX #fundoplication #TIF #GERD#tampaheartburn #linx #TIF #fundoplication #tampabayreflux #GERD #acidreflux #acidrefluxsurgery #stopreflux
#nonsurgicalweightloss #ESG #gastricballoon #weightlossjourney #vsg #vsgjourney #spatz3 #orbera #orberaballoon #grandhige #DrG
#tampabayrefluxinstitute #guthealth #roboticsurgery

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Open post by tampareflux with ID 18013017316510574
Not all patients need surgical intervention. Many patients are living a heartburn free life with their PPIs. However 40% of patients taking PPIs are not getting the relief they need. If you are one of those, you have options! Come in and find out more. . . . . #letushelpyou #medsnotworking #reflux #PPIs #heartburn #LINX #fundoplication #TIF #GERD#tampaheartburn #linx #TIF #fundoplication #tampabayreflux #GERD #acidreflux #acidrefluxsurgery #stopreflux #nonsurgicalweightloss #ESG #gastricballoon #weightlossjourney #vsg #vsgjourney #spatz3 #orbera #orberaballoon #grandhige #DrG #tampabayrefluxinstitute #guthealth #roboticsurgery

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Open post by tampareflux with ID 17969891975268735
#heartburn #stopreflux #hiatalherniarepair #severeheartburn #reflux #tampabayreflux #acidrefluxsurgery #tampaheartburn #GERD #PPIs #achalasia #LINX #TIF #tampareflux #fundoplication #stomach #digestivehealth #ESG #obesity #overweight #weightlossjourney #gastricballoon

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get help today

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