A new procedure being performed in North Texas is providing patients instant relief from acid reflux, without an incision.
Two years ago, Jerry Boyle joined the roughly 60 million other Americans who suffer from chronic indigestion. Boyle began taking pills to keep the symptoms away, but that didn't solve the problem.
"I couldn't have my Mexican food, couldn't eat what I wanted to eat," Boyle said.
Not only that, but he couldn't sleep either. Boyle decided to try a new procedure, Esophyx, that promised complete relief from the condition.
"Reflux is a balance between the acid in the stomach and a valve at the end of the esophagus that keeps the acid in the stomach," said Dr. Glenn Ihde, one of the few doctors in North Texas who performs the procedure. "The procedure works by improving the valve at the end of the esophagus. We pull tissue down and create a flap at the end of the esophagus that will close as the stomach descends."
Jerry McCarty, who suffered from acid reflux for nearly a decade before having the surgery, said the procedure changed his life with little to no pain at all.
"It's been great. I mean, back in the normal life, you know?" said McCarty, who had the procedure in January. "I recommend it. I mean, if I can do it, I’m sure you can."
Ihde said the surgery requires no incision and goes in the mouth and through the esophagus.
Boyle said he has only one hope for after the procedure: "When you interview me next time, I’ll be able to say how great it was."
For more information on Esophyx, go to www.dallasreflux.com.
