Lori Arcayna

Lori Arcayna is a flight attendant who lived with acid reflux and other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for eight years before she found the LINX Reflux Management System at Medical City Plano.

"I spent virtually eight years drinking nothing but water," Lori said. "I couldn't do carbonated drinks. Growing up in Texas, I loved my iced tea. That was really hard for me to give up. I really felt bad. My throat was getting sore, I was coughing, and my voice was getting hoarse. And it would stay hoarse continually."

Lori found out that her symptoms were cause by acid reflux and that her throat was being burned from coughing up acid.

"It was so uncomfortable," said Lori. "It just changes everything. It changes your whole diet — your whole lifestyle. And I thought, oh my gosh, there has to be something out there. I can't — I don't want to live like this."

So, Lori did a Google search and found that Medical City Plano offered the LINX System. Medical City Plano's surgical oncologist performed the minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure on Lori, which lasted about an hour. She was able to return home the same day. With the LINX System, Lori will never have to worry about getting esophageal cancer, a totally preventable disease.

"I can truly say it was the best thing I have ever done," Lori said. "It gave me back my quality of life. Especially having a young son, your whole life kind of passes before you and you think, oh my gosh, I want to be here through all of those life moments. I am so thankful. I could not be happier with the results."