Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication

[piscesjudy]

I wonder if anyone has had the procedure TIF.  I am thinking of having it done.  This procedure is done with a tube through the mouth.  I am wondering about which surgery is the best...incision or incisionless.  Would appreciate hearing from anyone who has had the procedure done.

[JoeyBeerBelly]

I sent you a message, please read it and reply.
Thank you,
Joe

[selmaS]

HI and welcome to the GERD forum.

Thanks for sharing ur experience : )

"selma"

[Urbis]

I just had the TIF procedure preformed 2 weeks ago.  I have had GERD for 30 years.  I had damage throughout my esophagus, on my vocal cords, and in my mouth.  These last two weeks are the first time I have ever known what it is like to be normal.  I hope as I am slowly adding foods back into my diet (you have a post op diet to protect the new "valve") that my result remain this wonderful.  If you have any questions about the procedure or post op, let me know.  I want everyone who suffers to feel as good as I do now.

[SCARLETTTTE]

hi, I am 20 years old and been suffering GERD for about 10 years. I swear to heaven that this has been a pain and struggle and also a threat to my future. I was really scared on every time I am starting to feel the symptoms particularly every month. I make a lot of absences and different failures on my acads because of this. Every time I'm in pain I really do shed tears knowing that nobody can help me not even my doctors ( I already had consulted more than 6 doctors) and I saw sadness in my father's eyes. I was admitted in 5 different hospitals but still GERD keeps coming back. I really am lost and still hopeless up to this days. I don't know what to do and feel depresed on every time I think about myself having GERD, Even now that I am turning into adult, I am still stuck to permanently stays at home rather than going out with my friends. I fear that I will always be like this until my last breath. To be honest, I had stopped dreaming 7 years ago. For now, I just want somebody to help me with GERD because it's dragging me down.

[selmaS]

I looked it up and found the following :

The Stretta Procedure to Treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
The Stretta procedure is a minimally invasive, non-surgical way to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. The procedure is performed using an endoscope (a thin, flexible, lighted tube which is passed down the throat into the esophagus), involves no cutting or sewing, and leaves no skin incisions or scars.

The procedure can be performed as an outpatient. Patients typically return to normal activities the following day.

Here's how it works:

The Stretta device is a thin tube, or catheter, with a balloon at the end. With the patient conscious but under heavy sedation, the catheter is guided through the endoscope which is placed in the esophagus just above the stomach. There the balloon is inflated, exposing four sharp probes on the outside of the balloon. The probes then discharge high-frequency radio waves into the muscle at the top of the stomach which is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). After several rounds of this process, the LES -- which is too loose in GERD patients -- becomes much tighter. Tightening the LES keeps stomach acid from splashing up into the esophagus.

How Much Does the Stretta Procedure Improve GERD Symptoms?
At least one study has shown that one year after undergoing the Stretta procedure, nearly two-thirds of the patients were able to stop taking all of their acid-blocking medicines. Overall, the patients reported feeling significantly better six months after treatment -- and even better at the 12-month mark.

Individual results may vary and the long term benefits are uncertain. This procedure is also not without risk; there is potential for serious complications.

Other Options for GERD Treatment
A less invasive option for treating GERD without medication includes endoscopic sutures (stitches). The FDA approved this procedure based on its safety but was unsure of its effectiveness. Other techniques are now in clinical trials.



Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

[piscesjudy]

I haven't had my scope done yet because doctor's office has not returned call to set up appointment for it.  I came upon another procedure which I do not know anything about.  It is called the Stretta procedure.  Have you ever heard of it or know anything about it?  Does anyone else out there know anything about it or had it done?

[selmaS]

Well Judy....I hope u find ur answers....and I agree about not wanting to take pills all the time.Diet and lifestyle changes are very important and can help.Weight loss, which right now is one of my goals....and is slow to see progress bcuz of recent surgery for a diff condition.

Please keep me posted on how u make out with the next test

"selma"