Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition that occurs when acid from your stomach flows into your esophagus. The acid irritates your esophageal lining and causes symptoms like the following:

• Chest pain
• Heartburn that tends to arise after eating
• Rifting up a sour-tasting liquid
• Regurgitating food
• Lump in your throat feeling
• Chronic cough
• Laryngitis
• Difficulty sleeping/sleep disruption

GERD happens as the result of a weakened valve in between your stomach and esophagus. This valve is supposed to prohibit food and acid from going in the opposite direction, but when it’s weak, it doesn’t do its job properly.

After our surgeon confirms surgery is the ideal option for your particular cases, he’ll discuss with you Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF®) with EsophyX®. This procedure classifies as minimally invasive. It doesn’t require any incisions. Instead, our surgeon accesses your stomach through your mouth.

During the procedure, he uses a specialized device inserted through your esophagus. Our surgeon alters the stomach to correct issues with the weakened valve. He wraps the upper region of the stomach around the bottom portion of your esophagus. This prohibits acid and food from flowing in the wrong direction.

Before your surgery date, Dr. Johnson will ensure you qualify for the procedure, and you don’t have any issues that could hinder the outcome.

On the day of your surgery, you’ll receive a general anesthetic. This puts you into a deep sleep, so you’re unconscious during the procedure. As a result, you won’t feel any pain or be aware of what’s going on. Dr. Johnson then makes incisions to place tools. Then, Dr. Johnson uses an endoscope, which is a flexible tube with a camera on it. The small camera allows our surgeon to view inside of your stomach.

Next, our surgeon implements two other instruments to the procedure. Both of them help him to fold the stomach. Finally, he uses a suction device on the esophagus to position it. He utilizes a specialized variety of sutures to keep the stomach and esophagus in place. Once complete, you basically have a valve that inhibits food and acid from traveling up the esophagus.

The concept of the procedure has been in use for over 50 years. However, traditional procedures require large incisions, and the surgeon must create a bigger twist.

Most patients only spend one night in the hospital when they undergo an incisionless fundoplication. Then, they’re able to return home the following day. Within a few days, you’re able to perform your usual activities. On the other hand, with traditional fundoplication, you spent more than one night in the hospital, and your activities are limited much longer.

It doesn’t require any incisions, so you won’t have scarring. Unlike traditional fundoplication, you won’t have an increase in bloating, flatulence, or belching. You won’t have any metal implants either.

If you are looking for TIF procedure specialist, contact us today. For more information, call us or schedule an appointment. We are conveniently located at 240 East 13th Street Merced, CA 95341. We serve patients from Merced CA, Atwater CA, Winton CA, Bear Creek CA, Planada CA, Le Grand CA, and Athlone CA.