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Linx surgery for acid reflux

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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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  • paulette59
    paulette59 linda52539

    Posted

    Hi

    i have had reflux for two years and no medication works. My main symptom is always belching leaving sour/ bitter taste in mouth which is very depressing.

    Do you get it in your mouth or mainly throat. I am awaiting appt re surgery.

    • poob
      poob paulette59

      Posted

      Tried increasing omeprazol until it works?  4 pills a day at bedtime?
  • Jos66984
    Jos66984 linda52539

    Posted

    Hi

    just reading on this site for first time and it's so informative. I live in Canada and have suffered from reflux for about 15 yrs. I have been on every PPI but have been taking dexilant for last few years. Always suffer at night and wake up with a very sore throat. In last 6 months however the reflux has gotten really out of control. I have to take antacids during the day and go through long periods where I am really in a lot of discomfort. Visited my GP who suggested I take an antacid at bedtime which I have already been doing. I have an endoscopy booked for May and of course am worried that I already have Barrett's syndrome. I have so modified my diet and try to be good. Off alcohol for 4 months ( a trigger for sure) and have cut out my one precious cup of coffee a day. After reading these posts I'm wondering about surgery too. Anyone have some advice. I am 63 and didn't think that retirement was going to look like this.

    Thanks

    Jose 

    • dominique64820
      dominique64820 Jos66984

      Posted

      Hi Jose

      Wow can't believe you have put up with it for 15 years. Is this the first endoscopy procedure??

      If I was in your shoes I would definitely have surgery ( Nissan F ) or Linx.

      I've had reflux for 3 years and I'm considering it. I hate all the sacrifices I make. I want my passion for food to come back. I want to be able to drink a couple of drinks and not suffer. I want to eat a couple of squares of choc and not wake up with a really sore chest. And I want this bloody bloated stomach gone. Well there's my rant over. Sorry about that. Doesn't help you much.

      But honestly your elder years should be enjoyed not suffered. Find the best gastro possible. Someone who has done tonnes of procedures and ask him what success rate is? What does success rate look like??

      Warm regards

      Dominique

    • stella19032
      stella19032 Jos66984

      Posted

      Hi Jose, definitely go for surgery, whether LINX, fundo or TIF. I'm 2.5 minths out from having LINX and the first 6 weeks we're rocky but it's settled now. No ppis and no problems with reflux so far. If ppis aren't working then you need to do something about it. Loads of people on the Facebook LINX group have been in your position and are now free from pain. Definitely consult a surgeon and get their opinion.... in not sure whether LINX is available in Canada but the other options are just as effective by all accounts 😊

    • Jos66984
      Jos66984 dominique64820

      Posted

      Hi Dominique,

      Thanks for your words of encouragement. It's funny how one just learns to cope with chronic discomfort but I have. Like you though, I am just so tired of doing the major diet modifications, life should be a bit more fun.

      Last endoscopy was about 5 yrs ago which revealed a very torturous stomach. My reflux symptoms are so out of control now that I feel desperate but when I read a lot of these posts about nightmare experiences from surgery I have pause and think. Wow, it all seems kind of depressing. Well, I have 3 months to wait for an endoscopy and will continue reading these posts I guess.

      Thanks for your response. What do you take for a PPI? I take dexilant 60mg daily. Ok, heading off to yoga.

      Jose

    • kevin34485
      kevin34485 Jos66984

      Posted

      Hi Jose, I am now four months post LINX surgery and other then some difficulty with swallowing for the first six weeks, I am GERD free and feel like I have experienced a wonderful life change for the positive. With only four months post surgery, I don't feel qualified to give you the 100% thumbs up but so far so good

      Kevin😀

    • Jos66984
      Jos66984 kevin34485

      Posted

      Thank you Kevin, it is so nice to read a positive outcome. Would love to hear how you are doing at the one year mark.

      I am very happy for you, very.

      jose

    • dominique64820
      dominique64820 kevin34485

      Posted

      You must feel like a new man!! That's great news. What country do you live in. The Linx procedure is not well known here in Western Australia.

      Warm regards

      Dominique

    • jennifer86221
      jennifer86221 Jos66984

      Posted

      There now is something called the Reza Band which you wear at night. You can 'google' it. I think it costs around £300.

      I had the LINX fitted on 3rd January this year. After the first few days I had a lot of problems and pain with dysphagia (inability to swallow food). This lasted a few weeks. I was on a liquid diet and lost over half a stone. I was in agony and desperate to have the LINX removed.  Fortunately my surgeon persuaded me to have my oesophagus stretched before taking such a drastic step. It took me a couple of days to recover from that and now I am eating OK. I find that I can only eat small meals and I eat more slowly but the acid reflux has gone and I no longer need lanzoprazole. So I am pleased I had it done but it was not available on the NHS and cost me nearly £9500.

      If I had known about the Reza Band I think I would have tried that first.

       

    • kevin34485
      kevin34485 dominique64820

      Posted

      Hi Dom,

      i live in Seattle Washington USA and yes I do feel like a new man.  I think people on this site need to understand that the people having bad experiences are the ones seeking out this info and thousands of other patients are having positive life altering experiences with this surgery.  I had a wonderful surgeon that has done over 3000 of these surgeries.  I think that this may be the key to success, having a surgeon with experience.  I wish nothing but good health for everyone on this site.

      Kevin

    • Jos66984
      Jos66984 jennifer86221

      Posted

      Wow, it sounds as though you have been through a lot. The weight loss would be a huge deal for me because I am already quite thin. I really hope that you just continue to improve and get better. I literally could not imagine a life without reflux and taking medication which I know is not good.

      Thanks for the info on the Reza band, I will definitely look into it.

      jose

       

    • HORATIO
      HORATIO kevin34485

      Posted

      Hi Kevin,

      I live in Seattle too and am considering LINX surgery.  May I ask, who was your surgen?  How did you get qualified for this? 

      Kathy

      , 

    • kevin34485
      kevin34485 HORATIO

      Posted

      Hi Kathy,

      My surgeons name is Dr. Aye at swedish.  He is one of the most highly sought after thoracic surgeons on the west coast.  It took 10 appeals and an entire year for my insurance to finally cover my surgery.  I had to have all the tests which included a motility test, PH test (Bravo test), Barium swallow test, and an endoscope.  Good luck!

      Kevin

    • poob
      poob Jos66984

      Posted

      Addiction to coffee is travesty.  Nonetheless, increasing omeprazol until it works, 4 pills at bedtime to elude side effects.
    • barry74480
      barry74480 Jos66984

      Posted

      Jose, I just happened to read this post by Jennifer.  I would be reluctant to use the Reza band.  From what I can ascertain, it only protects reflux from entering the upper sphincter in the throat.  While this may stop stomach acid from being aspirated and tearing up your lungs and/or larynx, it won't help the acid which escapes past the LES (the lower valve). Acid proceeding through the LES can cause all sorts of problems, such as Barrett's esophagus and even cancer.  Whatever method you choose, I would recommend dealing with relflux at the source and eliminating it from exiting the LES and into the esophagus altogether. I also don't think a lifetime of PPI drugs or H2 blockers is a very good option. So far, the Linx has worked great for me. I recommend finding a very competent surgeon and having your GERD eliminated.  If you do, repost, and let us know how it works out for you.

      Again, best wishes for a successful outcome in dealing with your reflux problem!

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