Procedures & Tests

 Gallstone surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) is one of the commonest operations performed. In the UK over 60,000 gallbladders are removed a year for gallstones, however not everyone needs to have their gallstones treated.

 You may be offered one of a range of available treatments. Please note that all of these procedures aim to relieve symptoms of dysphagia but none can cure achalasia.

The LINX™ system treats reflux by strengthening the Lower Oesophageal Sphincter and is inserted via minimally invasive surgery. It is an alternative to the traditional fundoplication and is NICE approved. Ms El Kafsi introduced this system to Frimley Health  and will assess if this option is right for you.

Laparoscopic fundoplication remains the gold standard treatment for reflux and hiatus hernias.

The Bravo is a wireless capsule placed during endoscopy, under sedation. It sends Bluetooth data about acid reflux to a receiver and will help determine if you have reflux disease. 

If you are having this procedure, Ms El Kafsi will see you to explain what to expect.

High-resolution manometry (HRM) is a diagnostic test used to evaluate how the oesophagus (food pipe) functions as a coordinated muscular tube. The oesophagus doesn’t just let food fall into the stomach — it actively moves food using precisely timed muscle contractions and pressure changes. HRM measures these pressures 

The 24-hour pH/impedance test is a way to measure reflux over an entire day, while you go about normal life. It shows how often stomach contents come up into the food pipe (esophagus), how high they travel, and whether they are acidic or not.

Breath testing is a non-invasive test used to check how digestion and gut bacteria may be causing symptoms like bloating, gas, diarrhoea, or constipation and to diagnose conditions like bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine (SIBO).