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Surgery May Soon Be An Option For Acid Reflux

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- People suffering from the worst cases of acid reflux may no longer need a pill to help ease their pain. Doctors say a new surgical option could soon be available.

The United States Food and Drug Administration met Wednesday to discuss this experimental device.

Surgeons say it works by placing a ring of magnetic beads around the top of the stomach. They prevent acid from coming back into the esophagus, which causes heartburn.

Doctors say the 15-minute procedure helps almost instantly.

"Most of the pain is gone within a few days after the surgery," said Dr. John Lipham of the Keck Medical Center of USC. "Patients seem to get back on to a regular diet quicker than they did with conventional surgery."

The device is still in clinical trials and isn't yet available to the public.

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