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Memorial Heartburn Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico, provides extraordinary care for patients struggling with heartburn, acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Our experienced Heartburn team has extensive training and performs a range of advanced diagnostic and treatment procedures to help ease patients’ symptoms.
GERD is the result of a weak muscle within the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter, which acts as a reflux barrier within the body. When functioning correctly, the barrier acts as a one-way valve that allows food to flow into the stomach and prevents stomach contents from flowing back up into the esophagus. However, people who experience GERD have a barrier that does not function properly, allowing acid and bile to flow back into the esophagus.
For some people, GERD poses a serious medical problem. If you have heartburn, nausea and other symptoms of GERD or acid reflux, learn how our treatment can help by watching our informational seminar.
Severe cases of GERD can lead to esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), Barrett’s esophagus (a serious complication of GERD that changes the normal tissue lining the esophagus to tissue that resembles the lining of the intestine and can lead to cancer), strictures (a narrowing or tightening of the esophagus that can cause difficulty swallowing), and esophageal cancer.
GERD is the result of a weak muscle within the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter, which acts as a reflux barrier within the body. When functioning correctly, the barrier acts as a one-way valve that allows food to flow into the stomach and prevents stomach contents from flowing back up into the esophagus. However, people who experience GERD have a barrier that does not function properly, allowing acid and bile to flow back into the esophagus.
Severe cases of GERD can lead to esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), Barrett’s esophagus (a serious complication of GERD that changes the normal tissue lining the esophagus to tissue that resembles the lining of the intestine and can lead to cancer), strictures (a narrowing or tightening of the esophagus that can cause difficulty swallowing), and esophageal cancer.
If you answer “yes” to two or more of the following questions, you may have GERD:
Heartburn is a common symptom that affects about 20 percent of Americans. However, it is a key symptom and indicator of GERD, especially if your heartburn:
Aside from chronic heartburn, GERD may also manifest in other symptoms, like difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, a chronic, non-productive dry cough, achalasia (failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to open when swallowing), acid reflux, asthma, dysphagia (difficult or painful swallowing), heartburn, hiatal hernia, indigestion and regurgitation.
At Memorial Heartburn Center, we consider each patient individually for specific symptoms. We test for those symptoms to develop a wellness plan or surgical procedure specific to your needs, and we offer the latest in medical testing pH, BRAVO, Manometry, Upper GI and EGD.
Your physician may suspect GERD based on your symptoms and medical history. To more accurately diagnose your condition, we offer the following tests.
This test is the best way to confirm reflux. A 24-hour pH monitoring system uses a small tube passed through the nose or mouth, down the esophagus and into the stomach. The tube remains in place for 24 hours and monitors the amount and frequency of stomach acid that backs up into the esophagus.
Placement of the catheter takes about 30 minutes, and a nurse will review the monitoring instructions with you. You can then leave and return the next day to have the tube removed. During the 24-hour test, you can swallow, talk and breathe freely.
This exam involves a series of X-rays of the esophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum. The X-rays are taken before and after drinking a contrast material called barium, a thick, white, chalky, milkshake-like liquid. The barium coats the inside lining of your digestive tract, making it more visible on the X-ray.
The barium swallow exam shows if you’re experiencing reflux. It also reveals issues such as Hiatal hernias.
This test will enable your doctor to obtain information about the pressures and function of the muscles used to help food go down after you swallow.
Your nasal passages will be numbed with a topical anesthetic/lubricant. While sitting upright, a thin, flexible tube will be placed through your nostril and down into your stomach as you swallow.
Other medications may be taken up to two hours before the procedure with a small sip of water. If you are diabetic, please follow your physician’s instructions regarding medications dosage.
If you have a question about which or your medications to take, please ask ahead of time.
EGD (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy) is a procedure that examines the esophagus, stomach and the first portion of the duodenum (small intestine) using a long flexible tube with a camera at the end of it. This allows your surgeon to see any irritation or changes to the esophagus, stomach or duodenum. This is performed under anesthesia and you will need someone to drive you home.
The BRAVO pH test measures the amount of acidity (pH) in the esophagus. For this test, your surgeon will adhere a small recording device called a BRAVO capsule to the esophagus to monitor how much acid is flowing backward from the stomach. This is done under anesthesia during your EGD.
TIF is a minimally invasive treatment for GERD. The TIF procedure is performed from inside the patient’s stomach without incisions. The TIF procedure repairs the anti-reflux barrier by reducing a paraesophageal hernia (≤2cm) and creating a valve 2-4 cm in length and greater than 270-degree circumferential wrap.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
STRETTA therapy is a minimally invasive procedure performed with an EGD. The STRETTA procedure treats the lower esophageal sphincter muscle with radiofrequency energy bursts that stimulate the regenerative growth of the muscle tissue. This allows for the muscle to become thicker to reduce reflux.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
The LINX system uses a small flexible band of interlocking titanium beads with magnetic cores that fits around the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) to provide resistance to opening by the gastric pressures, thus preventing reflux. The LINX device will release the magnetic beads when swallowing fluids and solids, allowing them to pass normally into the stomach. After swallowing, the magnetic beads will come together to close the LES, preventing any reflux after eating or drinking.
Advantages:
Difficulties:
Laparoscopic procedure in which the upper portion of the stomach is wrapped around the LES to strengthen to sphincter to prevent acid reflux and to repair a paraesophageal hernia. The Nissen procedure will strengthen the area of the weakened lower esophagus, which allows for the stomach acids to flow up into the esophagus instead of containing these acids in through the down-stream digestive system.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Dr. Felts is a board-certified Surgeon. He has more than a decade of experience in Bariatric Surgery and established the first Comprehensive Bariatric Center in Las Cruces. Dr. Felts developed the first Comprehensive Heartburn Center in Las Cruces that parallels the same high quality, compassionate care. He, his wife Karla, and their Golden Retriever rescue, Howlyard, enjoy all of the outdoor activities of New Mexico, as well as the culture and arts of this beautiful state.
Education
Dr. Felts earned his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University, his medical degree from Texas A&M College of Medicine and completed his General Surgery Residency at Scott and White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas. Dr. Felts is board certified by The American Board of Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Felts also serves on the Rural Area Surgeon Committee of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Dr. Fontan is one of the physicians at the Memorial Heartburn Center. He provides solutions to gastroesophageal reflux diseases for the people of New Mexico.
Born and raised in Argentina, Dr. Fontan speaks English and Spanish fluently bringing a bilingual treatment option for his patients. Dr. Fontan studied medicine at Universidad de Buenos Aires in Buenos Aires in Argentina. He completed his residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD and at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston, MA. He completed his fellowship in Minimally Invasive Bariatric Surgery at the University of Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.
Dr. Fontan is board-certified in General Surgery specializing in metabolic and weight loss surgery and in relief for heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). He performs procedures including hiatal hernia repair, Nissen fundoplication, partial fundoplication such as Toupet and Dor fundoplication, LINX procedure, TIF procedure and Stretta procedure.
When asked about what kind of patient care Dr. Fontan brings to the Memorial team, he explains that his passion for practicing medicine is driven by the long-term relationships he develops with his patients while treating them. Dr. Fontan states, “our practice is an interdisciplinary group of highly motivated professionals to tailor therapy to each individual in order to achieve the best possible outcome.”
When not at work, Dr. Fontan likes to paint, hike, and spend time with his family.
Angelina Morales, DNP FNP-BC came to southern New Mexico from Maryland in 2009, when she began to pursue a new career in nursing at New Mexico State University. Her diverse background gives her a unique retrospective to educating and coaching her patients to achieve optimal health.
Having struggled with her weight her entire life, Angelina finally decided herself to have bariatric surgery in January 2016. The surgery was a success and has given her insight and a unique perspective to patients contemplating surgery.
Angelina’s life motto, which she encourages her patients to embrace, is “Belief at the beginning of any successful undertaking is the one ingredient that will ensure success.” – William James
Education
Angelina Morales, DNP FNP-BC, graduated from NMSU with her Bachelor’s and continued her education to receive her Doctorate in Nursing with an emphasis in family health.
Yes. Our practices and clinics are clean, and it is safe to seek care at our office. One of the core elements of properly managing infectious diseases is the cleanliness of our facilities, and we disinfect ALL equipment, reception and waiting areas, exam rooms, restrooms, chairs, door handles and other hard surfaces regularly throughout the day. We continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for cleaning and disinfection of our facilities.
We continue to monitor crucial supplies closely, such as personal protective equipment and medications, and have adequate staffing to ensure that we can safely provide in-person appointments for our patients.
Our staff will call in advance to pre-screen you for potential COVID-19 symptoms. You are encouraged to bring your own cloth mask or bandana from home to cover your mouth and nose during your visit. If you are experiencing symptoms or think you may have COVID-19, it is important to call ahead before your arrival so our staff can prepare in advance.
Your experience in our office may look a little different than in the past, but this is because we have new processes and procedures in place to further protect your health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Upon arrival at the facility, you will be asked the standard COVID-19 screening questions and asked to wear the cloth mask or bandana you brought from home to cover your nose and mouth.
Our clinics continue to limit visitors out of an abundance of caution, so your family member/spouse/friend/caregiver will be required to stay in the car during your appointment. Patient companions are limited to essential caregivers or one parent per pediatric patient.
You may see fewer patients while you are here, and that is intentional for now. We are currently spacing out appointment times in an effort to promote social distancing, conserve resources and protect the safety of all of our patients and employees.
Our care team may conduct your entire appointment or exam while wearing protective equipment, which may hinder your ability to see their faces. We do regret this, as the personal connections we have with our patients and community are what keep us going. However, this is an important precaution we are taking to protect you and our clinical staff.
Companions are limited to essential caregivers or one parent per pediatric patient, and the caregiver and/or parent must be screened and wear a mask. If the companion is needed for transportation only and is not an essential caregiver, we ask that they wait in their personal vehicle.
Children under 16 are not permitted to accompany patients to appointments. Children are only permitted in the practices if he/she is the patient. While we understand this may pose an inconvenience, this restriction is intended for the child’s safety and well-being.
When you arrive at the office, you will be asked the COVID-19 screening questions and asked to wear a mask. You are encouraged to bring your own cloth mask or bandana from home to cover your mouth and nose during your visit.
The questions are part of our standard COVID-19 screening process and include asking if you have…
Or at least two of these symptoms:
Whenever you are asked, please answer these screening questions honestly. If your office visit has to be postponed, it will be just that: postponed. It does NOT mean it will be canceled, and we will work with you to reschedule as soon as possible.
Patients have the ability to check in for their appointment via phone/text and may wait in their car until this appointment, if medically appropriate. Our staff can call/text when your exam room is available.
Absolutely! We offer telehealth visits. Simply call our office and ask when scheduling your appointment whether a telephonic or televideo visit is appropriate for your needs.
If you have any questions, please call our team at 575-532-4373.