Updated: Tuesday, December 17 2013, 01:44 PM CST
Do you pop Tums or Pepcid after every meal? Studies show more than 15 million Americans experience heartburn symptoms each day. But if you can't seem to find relief from medication there may be another option for you.
There's now a new surgical procedure that's changing lives.
When Kirk Zeller found out he had acid reflux he couldn't believe it.
"I was like you've gotta be crazy. These are classic heart attack symptoms. This can't be reflux," he says.
He had no idea heartburn could be as painful as a heart attack.
"At night my chest would just burn, just really nasty burning. And sometimes really dull pains in my lower back as well," Zeller says.
Seven years of bland food and countless medications later he knew he had to try something else.
"Despite the fact that I was on a very restricted diet, I was on a double dose of Nexium and taking several other reflux medications. Even despite all that I got back again where I couldn't sleep," Zeller says.
Kirk's doctor -- Tripp Buckley -- also suffers from reflux and he wanted to be the first in Central Texas to learn a new surgical technique called the LINX Procedure.
"So we've had heart valves, artificial heart valves for a number of years and now we have an artificial esophageal value that really protects against heartburn," Dr. Buckley says.
A beaded bracelet is what does the trick.
"We go in and wrap this around the base of your esophagus right where it meets the stomach," Dr. Buckley says. "And the way this works is when you swallow, these beads expand and when you're done swallowing they contract."
"Dr. Buckley said after the procedure you're not going to need your reflux medication anymore and I'd been on it for seven years so I was very skeptical about getting off the medication. But sure enough I haven't taken one since," Zeller says.
The cherry on top? Kirk Zeller can now eat whatever he wants.
Dr. Buckley says the LINX Procedure is covered by most insurance companies and Medicare.
By Deeda Payton
New Procedure Helps Acid Reflux Sufferers
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