A trip to Jamaica was his goal.
Would heartburn be a hindrance?
At age 28, Justin Lowe has worked with the Missouri Department of Corrections for six years. During this time he described himself as “relatively healthy”. “Other than being overweight which caused high blood pressure and having an occasional battle with kidney stones, my only other health problem was eating Pepcid Complete like it was candy”, claims Justin.
Justin suffers from a common health condition called GERD otherwise known as Acid Reflux. His throat would burn whenever he ate ketchup, salsa, or barbeque sauce, and he was searching for a solution.
Justin explains, “Doctors don’t always tell patients the side effects of taking acid reflux medications, but when I heard about a new procedure at Moberly Hospital that would help me get off Prilosec and Pepcid Complete, I was ready to listen.”
Timothy Klepper, M.D. is the first specialist in mid-Missouri to be trained on the new Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication procedure or TIF®. “Reflux medication like PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) can help relieve patients' heartburn symptoms but don't solve the underlying anatomical problems or prevent further disease progression. Even on PPIs many patients are still unable to eat the foods they want or have to sleep sitting up to reduce nighttime reflux. In addition, recent studies have shown that long term use of PPIs can lead to inadequate absorption of minerals such as calcium and can result in bone fractures,” states Dr. Klepper. “After the TIF® procedure, clinical trials show that most patients can eat and drink foods they avoided for many years, and this has been the case with Justin. Reflux no longer impacts his life.”
Following the TIF® procedure Justin stayed on a strict diet for eight weeks. The first two weeks consisted solely of liquids, gradually adding in solid foods every two weeks. “I ended up losing15 lbs. in the first two weeks. If you’re not going to take the eating requirements seriously then I wouldn’t suggest you get this procedure done,” says Justin. “You have to be diligent. Since my procedure in November of 2010 I have so much more energy.
I use to take three pills a day; two for acid reflux and one for blood pressure, but today I’m totally free of pills and my blood pressure is right on target, and…I can eat whatever I want with no heartburn!”
In February of 2011, Justin and his wife enjoyed a relaxing and fun filled vacation in Jamaica and enjoyed the native cuisine to the fullest.
For more information on the TIF® procedure go to www.moberlyhosptial.com and click on Acid Reflux or GERD. For additional questions talk to your physician or call Dr. Timothy Klepper’s clinic at (660) 263-3002.