Memorial Hospital doctors help patients ditch acid reflux medication with new procedure

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Doctors at Memorial Hospital in Savannah are helping patients ditch medication and live indigestion free.

The NIH says 20 percent of Americans experience acid reflux. Doctors Chip Barnes and Jonathan Kandiah have been performing the C-TIF procedure for a year and are seeing massive success.

“The majority of patients are able to come off of their medication completely,” said Dr. Jonathan Kandiah, gastroenterologist at Memorial Hospital.

C-TIF combines traditional laparoscopic surgery with an endoscopic procedure to eliminate chronic indigestion. The collaboration allows for a streamlined operation with fewer potential complications.

In the past, doctors have used a purely surgical approach. The most common complication with surgery is difficulty swallowing. Kandiah said that has not been an issue with C-TIF patients.

“We have far fewer rates of trouble swallowing after the procedure, almost nonexistent,” Kandiah said.

Scott Reddick chose to undergo the C-TIF procedure and said he is thrilled with his results.

“If you are living with indigestion problems, and I had severe indigestion problems, this is a must do operation, I mean it would change your life. It was incredible,” Reddick said.

Reddick isn’t alone in his praise. Memorial Hospital has performed around 80 C-TIF procedures and said all of those cases have been successes.

Dr. Barnes referred to himself as a nay-sayer when it came to the operation. But after seeing the results of C-TIF, his opinions changed.

“I had to put my hands up and I had to say like ‘this is a better way to do it these results are going to be better, and I became a true believer,” said Dr. Chip Barnes, general surgeon at Memorial Hospital.

Patients are put on a liquid diet for 30 days following the operation. After that, they are able to return to normal life with less discomfort.

“I really have very much admiration for both of them for being able to give me, you know, a good quality of life back that I didn’t even know I was missing,” Reddick said.

Memorial Hospital said they will be able to reach 200 C-TIF procedures administered by the end of the year.

Patients interested in the C-TIF procedure can contact Dr. Chip Barnes at Memorial Health University Physicians Surgical & Bariatric Care at 912-350-0410 or Dr. Jonathan Kandiah at the Center for Liver and Digestive Health at 912-303-4200 x4835.