It's is estimated that as many as 60 million people experience symptoms of heartburn at least once a month and those who have more frequent episodes are usually diagnosed with "Gerd." But there are quick fixes without the need for surgery.

"I woke up every night at three or four in the morning, every night and with the chest pains and gagging, coughing, just miserable," said Cynthia Fusco, Gerd patient.

The disease occurs when a faulty muscle lets acid flow back into the esophagus.

Cynthia could not find relief from any medications, so her doctor said she may be a candidate for the new plicator procedure.

"We evaluate people thoroughly before and to make sure that this procedure is right for them," said Daniel DeMarco, M.D.

The procedure includes a single suture and a revolutionary instrument that can turn 180 degrees.

"We actually what we call retroflux, but turn the scope back on itself, and the instrument back on itself, and the scope up this way, too, so we can see the top of the stomach," said DeMarco.

The device passes through the mouth and the esophagus and when it reaches the stomach, it turns and extends its arms. The arms fold and suture the stomach tissue, and tighten the faulty muscle.

"Success rate id running about 80 percent, which is as good as any success rate," said DeMarco.

The procedure takes around 30 minutes and patients are under conscious sedation so they can go home the same day.

"Usually by the end of the second or third day they're fine," said DeMarco.

"That night after the procedure, it was, I slept for the first night in probably a year, well over a year, I slept all night," said Fusco.

The standard treatment for "Gerd" involves restructuring the tissue between the stomach and the esophagus. Patients are put under general anesthesia and an incision is made in the chest or abdomen to reach the area.