June 4, 2016
Heartburn, indigestion, acid reflux, and GERD (GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease) are some of the names given to a very common and bothersome condition that often times is chronic problem for millions of people. Over the past decade or two, there has been many drugs that have been developed just for this condition alone. As we all know, drugs have side effects, and what’s worse, in case of GERD, drugs only work as a band-aide.
Fortunately for those that know me, I am always searching for ways to help my patients in the best way possible. The TIF procedure is the latest and most effective non-drug option for acid reflux and heartburn sufferers. This procedure allows me to take my patients off medications that have significant and long-term side effects. During this procedure, I reconstruct the body’s natural valve that would normally prevent the backwash of acid and stomach contents back into the esophagus and in most cases even tot he back or the throat. Come and take advantage of my free seminar and find out if you or your loved ones are candidates for this treatment option.
Seminar’s info: June 22, 2016 at 6:00 PM
Location: 555 Marin Street, Suite 270; Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
RSVP: (805) 719-0244 or simply fill out the electronic form below.
Looking forward to seeing you,
Gilbert Simoni, MD, FACG
November 11, 2015
Think of the best gift you can give yourself or your loved ones during this holiday season, a life-time of heartburn-free enjoyment!
October 12, 2015
Actually, more than 99 percent of patients who undergo colonoscopy would agree that it is not painful. As a matter of fact, most patients complain more about the preparation before the colonoscopy rather than the colonoscopy itself! There are rare cases when one may develop bloating and distention due to various reasons and even less commonly if there are complications of colonoscopy. In almost all cases, adequate sedation is provided through conscious sedation (twilight sleep) or monitored anesthesia care for patients who require deeper sedation. Most patients don’t even remember the exam!
Of course, having an experienced gastroenterologist who is best trained to perform a colonoscopy would be an important aspect of colonoscopy.
We, at AGI, strive to make the experience of colonoscopy as comfortable as humanly possible.
Contact us at www.AGImedical.com or simply reply by filling the form below.
Please do not let a myth get in your way of preventing colon cancer.
Gilbert Simoni, MD, FACG
September 9, 2015
One of the most common misconceptions that I hear is this: “… but doctor, I am healthy, eat organic foods, exercise, and have no family history of colon cancer. I also feel great, so I do not think that I need a colonoscopy,”
Well, it is excellent to do all of the above and live a healthy life, but unfortunately most colon cancers (80%) occur in individuals who have NO risk factors!
So, the best way to screen for and prevent colon cancer is a colonoscopy.
We, at AGI, strive to make the experience of colonoscopy as comfortable as humanly possible.
Contact me at www.AGImedical.com
Please do not let a myth get in your way of staying healthy.
Gilbert Simoni, MD, FACG
September 2, 2015
How Many People Does it Take to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening to 80%?
Approximately 277,000 colorectal cancer (CRC) cases and 203,000 CRC deaths can be averted if screening and prevalence to 80% is reached.
Read the full article here:
How Many People Does it Take to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening to 80%?
August 15, 2015
Join me for a FREE seminar on GERD
Time: 6 PM – 7 PM (8/27/2015)
Place: The Oaks Shopping Center
350 West Hillcrest Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Hope to see you there,
Gilbert Simoni, MD, FACG
July 23, 2015
You know the routine all too well —you eat a great meal but now you’re paying the price—you experience a burning sensation in your chest. Or, you have a bitter taste that seems to come from the back of your throat. These are just some of the common symptoms of acid reflux—where stomach fluids wash up from your stomach into the esophagus and sometimes into your mouth. When acid reflux becomes chronic, it is not only uncomfortable, but eventually can do damage to the esophagus. As many as 23 million Americans suffer from a severe form of chronic acid reflux known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD for short.
For Geoffrey Davies, his troubles began when he was having sharp chest pains. “I actually didn’t realize I had acid reflux,” says Davies. It was only after he was examined that Davies found out that in addition to acid reflux, he had Barrett’s Esophagus, a serious disease that could lead to esophagus cancer. It occurs when the normal lining of the esophagus (the part of the body that carries food from the mouth to the stomach) transforms into tissue that resembles the lining of the intestines. “I was immediately put on a strict diet. I cut back on all acidic foods and reduced quantities,” remembers Davies.
Davies was a prime candidate for a procedure called Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF), which is a breakthrough remedy for GERD. While relatively new in the United States, TIF procedures have been commonplace in Europe for 10 years.
“Anybody who truly has gastro reflux and wants to get off medication or is tired of the chronic burning feeling, cough and hoarseness that comes with GERD, TIF can help,” says Dr. Gilbert Simoni, an interventiona gastroenterologist (and natural orifice surgeon) with Advanced GI in Thousand Oaks. “Medications are available such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to help reduce the acids, but there’s a reason we have acids in our stomach. They release important minerals from the food we eat including iron, magnesium and calcium. It’s the reflux that’s the problem, not the acidity in our stomachs.”
Acid reflux is caused when the valve that keeps the acids in the stomach stops working properly.
The TIF procedure involves running a device down the esophagus through the mouth. A small video camera is placed in the center of the device providing a clear view of the damaged valve. A gastroenterologist then uses small pieces of tissue to repair the valve so it opens and closes correctly and acids in the stomach do not come back up into the esophagus. TIF is an incisionless process that is replacing laparoscopic and other anti-reflux surgeries.
To prepare for his TIF procedure, Davies fasted the night before. “Nothing other than that,” says Davies. “It was easy.” The surgery took less than an hour to complete.
“Most patients may have a little sore throat afterwards,” says Dr. Simoni. He recommends not driving for two days and wait three or four days before returning to work. Patients are initially on a liquid diet and gradually over the next six weeks, they increase their solid food intake until they are back to a normal diet. “We need to give the area time to heal,” he says.
In recent studies, patients reported 80 percent improvement in quality of life and reduction or elimination of heartburn symptoms. The success rate for the procedure has prompted an increase in demand.
Dr. Simoni was the first gastroenterologist in the United States to be trained to perform the TIF procedure. He now trains other doctors. “Before TIF, the only option was complicated surgery that would take three to five hours and up to five days in the hospital,” explains Dr. Simoni. “We would have to make an incision in the abdomen.”
Drugs such as PPIs make the patient feel better, but after a while, they can lose their effectiveness. When stomach acid is reduced using PPIs over the long-term (one year or more), side effects can include the development of bacteria in the colon and osteoporosis-related bone fractures since calcium absorption is suppressed.
Dr. Simoni cautions, “TIF is not a magic bullet that eliminates reflux. Almost everyone has some sort of reflux. In severe cases, however, TIF should diminish chronic symptoms so patients are no longer on drugs and can lead normal lives.”
For Davies, the differences are life changing. “I’m now able to eat anything I want—spicy food, red wine. I’m no longer taking acid reflux medication. I would say to anyone who has acid reflux symptoms to go get checked out. It’s a minimally invasive cure that has done wonders.”
May 28, 2015
On Saturday, May 2, 2015, the Esophageal Cancer Action Network, in partnership with Over the Edge USA and the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, presented an inspiring event to raise awareness and funds to combat Esophageal Cancer, one of the fastest growing cancer diagnoses in the western world.
More than 40 brave men and women rappelled down the 24 stories
of the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City as we told the stories of those affected by Esophageal Cancer. One of the rappellers was our own
Julia from Advanced Gastroenterology, Inc. who rappelled in honor of one of our dear patients afflicted with this terrible but preventable disease.
The best way to battle cancer is prevention. Reflux, as innocent as it may sound, it is the number 1 risk factor for esophageal cancer. Please spread the word and if you or any of your loved ones has reflux, get screened with an upper endoscopy. It’s easier than you may think. Contact us by clicking here:
May 27, 2015
I just had a physician fly all the way from Arizona to come to see me regarding his GERD symptoms and to have a Transnasal Endoscopy (TNE).
February 23, 2015
http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-acid-reflux-20150214-story.html
Advanced Gastroenterology, Inc.
Phone: (805) 719-0244
555 Marin Street, Ste. 270
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360