Life Without Heartburn: How GERD Surgery Transformed Drew’s Health and Daily Routine

November 22, 2024

For many people, heartburn is a temporary annoyance, but for others, it becomes a persistent and life-altering condition. Drew, a mailman in Mason City, knows this all too well. As someone who tries to stay active, coaches his kids’ sports teams, and enjoys spending quality time with his family, the daily battle with heartburn began to take a significant toll on his life.

“Around 11, 12, 13 years old, somewhere in there, [I] started getting heartburn probably once a week. Maybe once every other week. Slowly got worse and worse and worse as I got older,” Drew shared. What started as an occasional inconvenience developed into an all-consuming problem that disrupted his sleep and impacted his ability to socialize and enjoy life. “It got to the point where it was affecting my sleep. I was waking up in the middle of the night. I couldn’t drink water because water would cause more of it. I had to do something about it,” he explained.

The Toll of Chronic Heartburn

By the time Drew sought medical help, heartburn had infiltrated every part of his life. “It was affecting everything I was doing. I couldn’t socialize with friends. I couldn’t go do anything with my kids or my wife,” he said. Even simple activities, like going out to eat, became stressful events where he had to carefully monitor what he consumed and prepare for the inevitable discomfort that followed. “I would always constantly have a pocket full of Tums or whatever the case was,” Drew recalled.

Finding Hope with Dr. Fabian

After years of trying to manage his symptoms on his own, Drew finally consulted his primary care physician, who referred him to Dr. Fabian. Dr. Fabian introduced Drew to a groundbreaking procedure designed to prevent acid reflux. “He had some new procedure that sounded too good to be true. The first appointment with him, he was telling me about a band of magnets inside my body,” Drew remembered. The concept initially worried him, but Dr. Fabian’s confidence and expertise reassured him.

Life-Changing Results

Drew decided to move forward with the surgery—a decision that would change his life. “The moment I walked out of the hospital after the surgery, I noticed I didn’t have any heartburn,” he said. For the first time in years, he could eat without fear of the painful aftermath. “I started eating whatever foods I wanted to eat,” Drew shared, describing how his life improved dramatically over the following weeks.

While the initial recovery required some adjustments, Drew adapted quickly. “Right away after the surgery for about six months it was tough to adjust to the restriction on my esophagus,” he noted. With time, he developed a routine that worked for him, starting his mornings with water and softer foods to ease into the day. “Over time, you just kind of develop a routine that works, and I don’t even notice it anymore,” Drew added. The improvement was profound. “My quality of life has increased a ton and it’s truly [an] amazing procedure. Changed my life,” he concluded.

A Message for Those Considering GERD Treatment

Drew’s journey underscores an important message: Effective treatments are available for those dealing with chronic heartburn. His story serves as a reminder that investing in health can lead to transformative results. If heartburn is impacting your quality of life, consulting with a specialist and exploring surgical options, like the one Drew underwent, could be the key to reclaiming your well-being.

This procedure not only eliminated Drew’s symptoms but also allowed him to fully engage in life again—coaching, spending time with family, and performing his duties as a mailman without constant discomfort. For anyone suffering from chronic GERD, Drew’s story is an inspiring testament to the life-changing impact of seeking help and pursuing advanced treatment options.