Find expert answers to your health questions

Michael Ujiki

Bio

Phone: 1-866-730-5757

Dr. Michael Ujiki attended Northwestern University Medical School, where he also completed his residency and oncology fellowship in the Department of Surgery. He then went on to complete an advanced laparoscopic fellowship in Portland, Oregon with Dr. Lee Swanstrom.

Dr. Ujiki’s areas of interest include: laparoscopic obesity surgery, laparoscopic ventral and incisional hernia repairs, surgical oncology and gastrointestinal surgery. He has contributed to the field of research through publications in peer-reviewed journals and several book chapters. Dr. Ujiki has performed over 400 laparoscopic procedures annually.

Activity

  • Sharecare News
    Sharecare News posted a story about General Surgery:
    Noisy Operating Rooms May Jeopardize Patient Safety

    WEDNESDAY, May 15 (HealthDay News) -- Background noise in the operating room -- such as the sounds of surgical equipment, chatter or music -- can affect surgeons' ability to understand what is being said to them and might result in a breakdown of communication among surgical team members, accordi...Full Article

  • Michael Ujiki
    Michael Ujiki of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    Which foods cause heartburn?
    Different foods can cause heartburn for different people. But, in general, acidic foods such as tomatoes, oranges and spicy foods can cause heartburn. Other foods such as caffeine, alcohol, and even peppermint or chocolate can relax the valve at the bottom of the esophagus and result in reflux...  Full Post
  • Michael Ujiki
    Michael Ujiki of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    How successful is TIF surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
    The TIF (Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication) procedure at two years has been shown to resolve heartburn in more than 90% of patients. It also results in complete cure of reflux in 70% to 80% of patients being off of antacids. The nice thing about this procedure is that it is incisionless,...  Full Post
  • Michael Ujiki
    Michael Ujiki of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    What happens during TIF surgery?
    With the use of a standard endoscope, which is a long, flexible tube with a camera on its end, we enter through the mouth and down the esophagus where we then rebuild the valve at the end of the esophagus and restore its natural anatomy. This results in a barrier to stomach acid. If you come...  Full Post
  • Michael Ujiki
    Michael Ujiki of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    What is scarless surgery for gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)?
    The scarless procedure used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is called a transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF). There is no incision, no scar and no pain associated with that incision. With the use of a standard endoscope, a long, flexible tube with a camera on its end, we enter...  Full Post
  • Michael Ujiki
    Michael Ujiki of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    What happens during TIF surgery?
    With the use of a standard endoscope, which is a long, flexible tube with a camera on its end, we enter through the mouth and down the esophagus where we then rebuild the valve at the end of the esophagus and restore its natural anatomy. This results in a barrier to stomach acid. If you come...  Full Post
  • Michael Ujiki
    Michael Ujiki of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    What is scarless surgery for gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)?
    The scarless procedure used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is called a transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF). There is no incision, no scar and no pain associated with that incision. With the use of a standard endoscope, a long, flexible tube with a camera on its end, we enter...  Full Post
  • Michael Ujiki
    Michael Ujiki of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    How is acid reflux-related asthma treated?
    Asthma and acid reflux have been linked for a long time and, unfortunately, they cycle off each other. Reflux can make asthma worse and asthma, in turn, can make reflux worse. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) make the refluxate (or stomach juice) less acidic but it does not stop it from entering...  Full Post
  • Michael Ujiki
    Michael Ujiki of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    How does alcohol cause heartburn?
    Alcohol has been found to relax the valve at the end of the esophagus, resulting in acid reflux that can cause heartburn. People who suffer bad reflux should avoid drinking alcohol.
     Full Post
  • Michael Ujiki
    Michael Ujiki of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    Which foods cause heartburn?
    Different foods can cause heartburn for different people. But, in general, acidic foods such as tomatoes, oranges and spicy foods can cause heartburn. Other foods such as caffeine, alcohol, and even peppermint or chocolate can relax the valve at the bottom of the esophagus and result in reflux...  Full Post
  • Michael Ujiki
    Michael Ujiki of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    How successful is TIF surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
    The TIF (Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication) procedure at two years has been shown to resolve heartburn in more than 90% of patients. It also results in complete cure of reflux in 70% to 80% of patients being off of antacids. The nice thing about this procedure is that it is incisionless,...  Full Post
  • Michael Ujiki
    Michael Ujiki of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    What happens during TIF surgery?
    With the use of a standard endoscope, which is a long, flexible tube with a camera on its end, we enter through the mouth and down the esophagus where we then rebuild the valve at the end of the esophagus and restore its natural anatomy. This results in a barrier to stomach acid. If you come...  Full Post
  • Michael Ujiki
    Michael Ujiki of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    What is scarless surgery for gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)?
    The scarless procedure used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is called a transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF). There is no incision, no scar and no pain associated with that incision. With the use of a standard endoscope, a long, flexible tube with a camera on its end, we enter...  Full Post
  • Michael Ujiki
    Michael Ujiki of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    What happens during TIF surgery?
    With the use of a standard endoscope, which is a long, flexible tube with a camera on its end, we enter through the mouth and down the esophagus where we then rebuild the valve at the end of the esophagus and restore its natural anatomy. This results in a barrier to stomach acid. If you come...  Full Post
  • Michael Ujiki
    Michael Ujiki of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    What is scarless surgery for gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)?
    The scarless procedure used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is called a transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF). There is no incision, no scar and no pain associated with that incision. With the use of a standard endoscope, a long, flexible tube with a camera on its end, we enter...  Full Post