A woman who has suffered physical and psychological pain for 30 years has been saved from any more harm.

Anna Lavinas, 36, from Croydon was diagnosed with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease early in her life. At one point she was prescribed double the usual daily dose of medication used to treat patients and she had to have rubber tubing put down her throat to rid the excess acid.

Now, thanks to a minimally-invasive procedure and a small titanium bracelet-like device, Ms Lavinas is symptom-free and no longer taking any medication.

“I’d never known what it felt like to be completely well," she said.

“I’m lucky to have such a supportive partner, but the fact that I could never go out for dinner with him was disappointing, and we couldn’t plan a holiday, because one of my biggest fears had been how my GORD might be aggravated.

"I felt like I had nothing to look forward to."

Ms Lavinas could not go out with friends, enjoy a drink or even eat a meal with them – she would even encourage her partner of ten years to go out without her since she didn’t want him to be missing out.

So she decided surgery was her only option to live a normal life.

She was fitted her with a Linx reflux management system which provides a barrier to the reflux of acid and bile after eating.

“Since having the surgery my life has changed dramatically," Ms Lavinas said.

"I’m still taking it slowly, but I can go out to restaurants and it feels amazing. Waking up in the morning I don’t have horrible symptoms, instead I’m happy and ready for the day.

"My partner used to tease me that I was like a hermit, stuck at home, but now I’m making up for lost time - I can go out more, attend the company socials and even drink wine. We’re going to Mexico to an all-inclusive and I cannot wait. I’m finally getting to do what people normally do – be excited for life.”