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Occasional acid reflux — what we typically call “heartburn” — is normal for many adults. But severe acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a more serious and long-lasting condition that can have a significant impact on your life, keeping you from the activities you love.
In many cases, reflux conditions can be treated with medicine. But if medications don’t help your symptoms, or if you are at risk from the medication itself, there are surgical options available — including the minimally invasive procedure known as the LINX® Reflux Management System and the TIF (transluminal incisionless fundoplication) procedure.
MultiCare was the first health care provider in the South Puget Sound region to offer these procedures for patients suffering from severe reflux.
The LINX System uses a ring of tiny magnetic beads that is wrapped around the junction of the stomach and esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter. The magnets open to allow food and liquid down, then close to prevent stomach contents from moving up, strengthening your body's defense against acid reflux.
TIF is a minimally invasive procedure that restores the normal functioning of the dysfunctional acid reflux barrier/valve by creating a new acid reflux barrier using a novel endoscopic approach that allows for less disruption of the normal gastric anatomy.
These surgical treatments provide:
And, unlike other procedures to treat reflux, these procedures require no surgical alteration to the stomach.
Additional benefits for patients with GERD, include:
Making an appointment with one of MultiCare's surgeons is the best way to determine if LINX or TIF are good options for you to treat your acid reflux or GERD symptoms.
Three of MultiCare's Puget Sound region surgeons use the LINX System. Call one of them to schedule your consultation today: