Improved Treatment for Acid Reflux
MaineGeneral Endoscopy Lead Tech Tiffany Gray has seen many patients who suffer from acid reflux, also known as GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). But at first, she didn’t realize that her chronic dry cough was caused by GERD.
“I was diagnosed with acid reflux and I was put on an acid reducer. Within two days my cough disappeared,” Gray says.
While relieved at first, her symptoms reappeared and then progressed to include bloating, heartburn and hoarseness.
“I needed more medication, and when that didn’t work, my doctor put me on different medications. But eventually, those stopped being effective, too.”
Even drinking water gave her heartburn. “If I left for work without my medication, I knew it was going to be a bad day.”
That’s when Gray’s doctor ordered an outpatient endoscopic diagnostic exam. The results came back that she had a Grade 2 hiatal hernia, which was the cause of her acid reflux.
After 18 years of having symptoms, Gray was scheduled for a C-TIF, a new procedure MaineGeneral began offering patients with GERD more than a year ago.
A C-TIF is a two-step process which entails surgery to repair the hernia. Surgery is typically is done robotically with six small incisions. Immediately after the surgery, the Gastroenterology (GI) team performs a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure called TIF (Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication), which recreates the anti-reflux valve that was damaged by acid reflux.
The doctor performing Gray’s endoscopic procedure was Joan Kheder, MD, MPH, who Gray regularly works beside.
“I’m involved in nearly every TIF procedure. I knew I was in great hands, and I had seen patients who had gone through it and how they were helped by it,” Gray says.
Dr. Kheder was the first doctor at MaineGeneral to provide TIF procedures.
“TIF treats heartburn at its source. We reconstruct the valve that prevents acid to flow back from the stomach into the esophagus. The process restores your body’s natural protection against acid reflux,” Dr. Kheder says.
According to Dr. Kheder, benefits of TIF include:
- Faster recovery
- No increased gas or bloating
- More than 80 percent of patients can stop medication for reflux in one year
Today, Gray is no longer on medications.
“I feel wonderful. I didn’t realize how bad I felt until the treatment.”
She recognizes that, as a patient, she’s uniquely qualified to talk to patients who have concerns or questions about the C-TIF.
“I tell people: ‘If you’ve been living with this discomfort, ask whether this is a good option for you.’ And to my colleagues, I tell them don’t hesitate to have a patient reach out to me if they have questions.”
Dr. Kheder works closely with colleagues at GI and Surgery through the MaineGeneral Heartburn Center. TIF is one of a number of treatment options for patients with chronic heartburn. Talk to your doctor about getting a referral to the MaineGeneral Heartburn Center to see what treatment is best for you.
Learn more about TIF, including a video by Dr. Kheder, at www.mainegeneral.org/gerd.
