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From: S. Carvajal, M.D.
Date: 05/16/00
Time: 21:41:20
Although doctors described dietary changes that are necessary to improve reflux, they seldom make a significant impact. To get the benefits of dietary changes, you would have to follow these the rest of your life. I do not recognize the names of the medications you are taking and I was unable to find a reference on the Internet. I presume that they are a prokinetic and an anti-acid medication. If this is the case, this would be appropriate therapy. I am not certain that are a candidate for anti-reflux surgery. Four different tests must be ordered on all patients prior to consideration of a laparoscopic fundoplication. These include an upper endoscopy, an upper G.I., 24-hour pH study, and esophageal manometry. If these tests confirm the presence of significant reflux disease, you are then a candidate for surgery. The average costs for all these tests, surgery, hospital fees and surgeons' fees are approximately $15,000 U.S. dollars. The success rate with the operation is upwards of 98%. If you are interested in seeking treatment in United States, I would recommend contacting any of the doctors found in the Videoscopic Heartburn Center. You should call them by phone prior to traveling the U.S. so that they might expedite your tests and minimize your costs in the U.S.