New surgical method to reduce acid reflux after weight loss surgery

Mechanistic and clinical outcomes of a surgical innovation aimed at minimizing GERD associated with vertical sleeve gastrectomy (INNOVATE-VSG)

NIH-funded research University of California-Irvine · NIH-11050836

This study is testing a new type of weight loss surgery that aims to help people with obesity who also struggle with acid reflux, to see if it can reduce their reflux symptoms while helping them lose weight.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California-Irvine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Irvine, United States)
Project IDNIH-11050836 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a modified version of vertical sleeve gastrectomy (mVSG) aimed at reducing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that can occur after conventional weight loss surgery. The study will involve a randomized clinical trial with 40 participants who have a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 50 kg/m². The approach focuses on preserving important anatomical structures during surgery to minimize the risk of GERD. Participants will be followed for 12 months to assess the effectiveness of this new surgical technique.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a BMI between 30 and 50 kg/m² who are considering bariatric surgery and may have existing GERD or are at risk for developing it.

Not a fit: Patients who are not seeking weight loss surgery or have a BMI outside the 30-50 kg/m² range may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of GERD in patients undergoing weight loss surgery, improving their overall quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Similar surgical innovations have shown promise in reducing GERD symptoms, but this specific approach is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Irvine, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Barrett Syndrome
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.