ERGE AND
PROCEDURE Linxs
ERGE AND PROCEDURE LINXS
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic form of acid reflux, affects 20% of Americans. When your GERD symptoms worsen or damage your esophagus, you can count on Dr. Abel Bello. As a nationally recognized expert in the treatment of GERD and national trainer of the LINX anti-reflux procedure, Dr. Bello has successfully performed hundreds of procedures, providing long-term relief from GERD.
What is GERD?
GERD begins as acid reflux, a problem that occurs when stomach contents flow into the esophagus.
A round muscle, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), allows food to enter the stomach and then closes tightly to ensure that strong stomach acid does not flow out. If the LES weakens or relaxes, acid reflux develops.
GERD develops when acid reflux becomes frequent and chronic. You may be diagnosed with GERD when you have mild acid reflux at least twice a week or moderate to severe acid reflux at least once a week.
How is GERD treated?
The first line of treatment for GERD includes medications, such as antacids, H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors.
Depending on the severity of your GERD, you may be able to improve your symptoms by avoiding foods that trigger acid reflux, eating small meals and raising the head of the bed.
If you are overweight or obese, losing weight relieves GERD symptoms by reducing the amount of pressure in your abdomen.
If you qualify for bariatric surgery, your best treatment for GERD may be bariatric surgery rather than antireflux surgery.
What symptoms develop due to Barrett's esophagus?
When you need anti-reflux surgery, MIB Surgery physicians perform one of the following:
LINX reflux management system: the LINX system consists of a flexible bracelet made of titanium magnetic beads. Using minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Bello places the bracelet around the esophagus in the LES, where the strong magnetic bond strengthens the muscle.
Gastric fundoplication: Gastric fundoplication or Nissen fundoplication treats acid reflux and repairs a hiatal hernia, which often causes acid reflux. During this laparoscopic procedure, Dr. Bello wraps the LES with the upper part of the stomach, tightens the muscle and prevents reflux.
Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF):
This procedure is similar to a Nissen fundoplication, except that it is performed using a specialized endoscopic device that is guided through the mouth into the stomach. Then, the process of folding the upper part of the stomach around the esophagus is performed from inside the stomach.
Abel Bello, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive procedures, including surgeries using the da Vinci® surgical system. At MIB Surgery in Plantation, Florida, he performs bariatric surgery, reflux surgery, and specialized procedures using a flexible endoscope.