Freed from GERD

Freed from GERD

LINX® Reflux Management System frees Hannibal woman from GERD.

79 -year-old Betty Hassien is now pain and symptom free after receiving the LINX® Reflux Management System.

Betty suffered for more than 20 years with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Betty had a hiatal hernia causing her GERD, heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, coughing, and vomiting. Hiatal hernias are formed when muscle surrounding the esophagus weakens and allows the junction of the esophagus and stomach to bulge up through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. This will often cause GERD symptoms, and the hernia will often gradually worsen over time.

Betty holding her great-grandson

“I tried medication for years, but I was still having problems. It was really interfering with my everyday life. I was constantly having pain and vomiting. I was told that I should possibly do Gastric Bypass, but I really didn’t want to do anything that invasive. That’s when I went to see Dr. Gerber,” says Betty.

Dr. Benjamin Gerber, MD of Boone Health General Surgery specializes in minimally invasive surgeries for acid reflux and hiatal hernia repair. After meeting with Betty, he suggested she repair her hiatal hernia using the LINX® Reflux Management System.

The LINX® system consists of a series of titanium beads, each with a magnetic core that is connected with titanium wires to form a ring shape. The device is surgically implanted around the lower end of the esophagus. It then helps to prevent the digestive acids of the stomach from backing up into the esophagus (acid reflux) while still allowing for food and drink to flow into the stomach. The procedure is an outpatient procedure and the device is placed as one of the parts of the hiatal hernia repair surgery (an alternative to the Nissen Fundoplication).

The LINX® Reflux Management System works by preventing the digestive acids of the stomach from backing up into the esophagus (acid reflux) while still allowing for food and drink to flow into the stomach.

“The vast majority of patients who receive the LINX® device will no longer have to take acid reflux medications.

When compared to other acid reflux surgical options, the LINX® has the advantage that the patient may still burp and vomit as normal. Other options that do not allow this can leave the patient feeling bloated and uncomfortable.” says Dr. Gerber.

Betty was able to go home the day of her surgery and says within two weeks of undergoing the procedure, her GERD symptoms were gone.

“I am completely better. No more vomiting or reflux at all. I am also really happy to not have to take medication anymore. I am so grateful for this procedure and Dr. Gerber,” says Betty.

Betty is now enjoying her life pain and symptom free. She stays busy spending time with friends, her husband Joseph, her two children, 10 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.

The LINX® Reflux Management System device.

By Madison Loethen

Dr. Gerber practices at Boone Health – General Surgery