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Linx surgery for acid reflux

Posted , 135 users are following.

linda52539
linda52539

Has anyone esperienced this relatively new surgery for acid reflux which doesnt respond to drugs.

Or does anyone know anything about it. It is much es invasive than the nissen fondiplication op. done by day surgery I think. My gastro ent. didnt mention it but I thought I might investiage.just out of interest as a possible future option if all else fails. I am having so much trouble with side effects from

drugs and not much effect on my acid reflux either still getting reflux at night and quite sore throat.

Any comments welcome.

5 likes, 545 replies

545 Replies

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  • sean90
    sean90 linda52539

    Posted

    I like many others have had a common complication from the LINX device called pooling which is where food and or liquid pool right above the LINX implant because the esophagus cannot push things through. This is often caused by excess connective tissue which builds up around the LINX and becomes obstructive several weeks to several months after the surgery. Dilation is often attempted but more often than not provides only short-term relief and is often repeated until removal is eventually required when esophageal motility becomes so impaired by the device that frequent spasms, chest pain, LPR, heartburn, and food getting stuck result on an ongoing basis. Many people have suffered this under-reported and poorly studied side effect, and some have had to get the device removed and suffered permanent esophageal motility loss. If you have any questions feel free to reply here or if you would like to join a LINX surgery support group search facebok for LINX complications support group. I believe LINX Nissen and Stretta all hold promise but it's good to be aware of the risks beforehand.

    All the best!

  • paul9298
    paul9298 linda52539

    Posted

    Rencently had the Linx proceedure . Everything seems to be ok but I have a very tight chest and burning sensation . Anyone else experienced this ? I had the proceedure about a week ago.
    • joanne60267
      joanne60267 paul9298

      Posted

      Hi Paul

      I had the Linx procedure 8 months ago. I had a cough they say from acid reflux that the linx was supposed to correct. To date I still have the cough and have had to have my esophagus dialated because food gets stuck. Hoping this will eventually cease. But no burning or tightness.

  • joanne60267
    joanne60267 linda52539

    Posted

    Linda,

    I had the linx procedure in March 2017 for a constant cough and hoarseness.

    Since  the operation the cough has not gone away and now I have trouble swallowing food.  I never had bad heartburn just the cough and hoarseness. I was told it takes time for the cough to go away after the linx procedure but I wish I knew when it would stop.

    About 2 weeks ago my doctor had me go back into the hospital to have my esophogas dialated so that food could go down easier.  It helped a little but I still have trouble getting the food past the linx..  I was told it would take time for the cough to stop but I'm very discouraged.  I don't want to have the linx removed but I've been hearing it can damage your esophogas with the food not going down.  Has anyone else had these problems with the linx.

    Feeling discouraged.

  • susan62351
    susan62351 linda52539

    Posted

    I just had this surgery 7/12/16.  After many years of coughing and being on Protonix and Codeine cough medicine I am now relatively free of all that.  I won't lie, getting this thing used to food going through it has had some very painful sessions and wondering if it was all worth it.  But it's only been 2 months and the doc did tell me it could take up to 3+ months to feel "normal" again!!  It's getting easier all the time and I can eat what I want.  I did lose about 12 pounds the first couple of weeks.  You will have to eat about every 2 hours.  The physical therapy for this is eating....so you eat your 3 reg meals and in between I ate yogurt, pudding or anything smooth!  Don't get the other, more invasive surgeries, this is much better and I only have 5 small, 1/2 inch, incisions on my abdomen.  Hope this helps.

    • dominique64820
      dominique64820 susan62351

      Posted

      Hi Susan

      Thank you so much for posting. We all need to hear good news.

      Could you please tell me how you went about choosing your doc? Did you do alot of research? Also did u have to pay for procedure? Is what you had done considered key hole surgery.

      I live in Perth (West Australia) and I don't think they have this procedure yet but they do in Eastern Australia.

      Sorry so many questions. Your time is much appreciated. So glad ur better. I would so love to fall in love with food again!!!!!

    • susan62351
      susan62351 dominique64820

      Posted

      Hi, I'm in Charleston, SC in USA. There we only 1 surgeon doing the Linux in the area. Once I was told about this thing, I did a lot of research and opted for the less invasive. Plus my surgeon was very forthcoming with information and told me there would be rough times!! Of course, hearing about rough times and going through them are two different things. It's a matter of keeping the end results in perspective. I've had my bad days, but they are getting much less frequent!!!Best advice I can give is......don't go out to eat or to a friends house to eat for a couple of months after surgery. Spitting up in a public restroom is not fun!!!!!

    • dominique64820
      dominique64820 susan62351

      Posted

      Thank you Susan. I'm going to give it careful consideration when I return to Perth WA as im on holiday in UK at the moment and I've had a nightmare not eating my normal foods and sleeping in my elevated bed. My oesophagus is burning and its even affecting my vocals and causing a cough. I don't want to be a prisoner to my home.

      Keep us informed of your progress Susan I pray your 100% soon. Dim 😊

    • stella19032
      stella19032 susan62351

      Posted

      Hi Susan, I just had surgery a couple of days ago and I'm in agony, just wondering if the back pain and painful swallowing are normal - I didn't really get any info on it from the docs.

      My back and shoulders are the worst - the pain comes in waves and it's excruciating.

      Is there any advice you can give me? At the mo I'm feeling pretty sorry for myself 😔X

  • paul9298
    paul9298 linda52539

    Posted

    I had the linx about 3 months ago. Stomah is bloated still but my biggest problem is a a build up of saliva which is so bad that i feel as if Im chocking 24/7.

    Keen to here from anyone else who has similar problem. if this continues I will definately have it removed.

  • dave63068
    dave63068 linda52539

    Posted

    I have had the device for a little more than 2 years. The first 3 months were somewhat unpleasant with the pooling and motility problems. I had the device dilated about 4 months after the surgery. The pooling never quite went away but I was able to resume a normal diet and lead a normal life.

    2 years later and I'm right back to the same condition I was prior to the surgery. Acid reflux is again a common occurrence after nearly every meal. Sleeping on an elevated bed and lots of meds are all part of my daily routine again.

    If anyone is considering this surgery as a cure I would wait until more data is obtained. I would definitely not have had the procedure had I known the problems it would cause.

    • lorray64454
      lorray64454 dave63068

      Posted

      Hi I am so sorry for what you are going through. I had the Nissen fundoplication surgery in June with a hiatel hernia repair. I had the 270 wrap and I'm feeling so much better. I pray it stays that way. I am truly so sorry you are having problems. I hope it gets better for you. If you have any questions please feel free to send me a message. Take care, Lorray

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