New incisionless surgery to treat heartburn is available at Verde Valley Medical Center

More than twenty million Americans suffer from daily heartburn or other symptoms of reflux such as regurgitation, chronic cough, hoarseness and dental erosions. Until recently these people faced either a lifetime of daily medications − and often incomplete resolution of their symptoms − or the risks of invasive surgery. Northern Arizona Healthcare’s Verde Valley Medical Center is the only facility in Northern Arizona to offer an incisionless surgery using Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication, or TIF® to treat heartburn.

TIF® is performed completely without incisions through the mouth with an endoscope − the same equipment used to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. The procedure reduces hiatal hernia and rebuilds the valve between the stomach and esophagus restoring the natural, physiological anatomy to prevent GERD.

This minimally invasive procedure is performed by Blair Faulkner, MD, board-certified general surgeon with NAH’s Verde Valley Medical Clinic – General Surgery. It is done in the operating room at VVMC and takes less than an hour. Since the procedure is incisionless, there is reduced pain, reduced recovery time and no visible scar.

To schedule an appointment, call Verde Valley Medical Clinic – General Surgery at 928-649-7969. This procedure is now covered by Medicare. Talk to your insurance provider about any out-of-pocket costs.