Linx surgery for acid reflux

Dominique

Sure, no problem!  My surgeon's name is Dr. Mark Hausmann, and he did the laparoscopic surgery and hiatal hernia repair at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. When I first researched for surgeons which performed the LINX procedure, he was one of only two in my state that did the surgery.  Since that time, there are several others doing it.  It think this is in response to the increased demand for the surgery since major insurers are now approving it.

Dr. Hausmann is an excellent surgeon–– a very competent professional that also happens to have a very good bedside manner.

If you decide to come to this country for surgery, he would be an excellent choice.  There are also a couple of others which I know of that are also great choices, such as Dr. Reginald Bell in Colorado.  My surgeon knows him very well.  

Comment back when/if you decide to go forward with the LINX surgery.  I'm willing to help in any way I can, and like I said, there are things you can do to help assure a smooth and successful recovery.

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Thank you so much Barry you are a very kind man.

I didn't realise they had to repair your hernia first.

I'm wondering out of the UK and the states which one will be cheaper? I recall a lady on this forum saying the op cost her 9500 pounds!!!! That's $17000. I will have to do my homework. Do you think the states would be cheaper Barry?

Many thanks for answering all my questions. I'm so glad you are still on the forum. It would be so easy for you not to bother now you are well. I'm sure there are lots of grateful people on this forum, reading your success story.

Blessings to you

Dominique

You are very welcome, Dominique!  The cost is about the same here.  I've heard that it is around $16,000 here.  However, there are also a few hospitals here in the U.S. which offer discounted rates because they don't take insurance or government Medicaid or Medicare. So, they save money by not having to complete copious amounts of paperwork, and they pass the savings onto their patients.  One of them is located in Okalahoma.  I will do a little research and if I find a hospital which operates this way and also offers the LINX surgery, I'll let you know.

God's many blessing to you also!

Barry

I can't thank you enough Barry for all this info. It's great. Do you think the surgeon will be as good as your one in a general hospital?

Also how long had you been suffering before you had the Linx fitted? WAs you on medication?

Dominique 🌻🌻

No problem; I'm happy to help if I can.  I have no personal experience with the Surgery Center of Okalahoma, but I know it does have a good reputation. It should be at least as reputable as any surgery center which accepts insurance and other non-patient forms of payment, because they still must uphold the health standards established by law.  Besides, they have an added incentive to do excellent work because they are answerable directly to their patients––their customers, and they would not want to hurt their business model by dissatisfying customers.  In single payer, government run healthcare systems, care becomes somewhat removed between patient and provider, and falls into the hands of government and/or big insurance company bureaucrats.  So, the incentive towards excellence can be compromised at that point.  There are other medical institutions in this country which are also following this model of care. It is a growth industry here in the U.S. because many people here have an aversion to Socialism and it's focus on cost and the attendant bureaucracies rather than patient choice and direct quatlity of care.

I endured over 30 years of GERD and LPR before discovering the LINX solution.  I was prescribed PPI drugs, but stopped taking them because of possible long term side affects.  In my case, they weren't working very well anyway, and I was having to increase the dosage, something which I was unwilling to do.

I would post the link to the Surgery Center of Oklahoma, but the moderator on this site will not allow it.  You can Google it though, or private message me if you'd like.  I did send them an email and they promptly replied with this message, “Dr. Brady Hagood at our facility would be happy to visit with your friend about getting this done. If interested send a phone # he can call and I'll get pricing together.  Thank you for contacting me.

GKS.’’

So, it does appear that they will do the surgery, and the cost should be less than other providers.

If you decide to contact them, let me know how it works out and how much it cost.  I would also be glad to give them my phone number here in Louisiana, find out the cost, and report back to you.

Barry

Hi Dominique,

I don’t know if you are still reviewing this page, but I have additional info:

I discovered several surgeons that take direct payment from patients for the LINX surgery.  Two that I know of are very highly respected and train others in the procedure.  One of them, Dr. Reginald Bell trains for Torax, the developers of the LINX.  The last cash price I saw for him was $12,300.

Another surgeon is Dr. Dan Lister.  This is what he had to say on one of the Facebook LINX pages I am subscribed to: 

“Our price at the Arkansas Heartburn Treatment Center is $9750. I'm not sure if that will change now that Ethicon has acquired Torax, but for now that is our price and it includes surgeon's fee, or fee, LINX device and anesthesia.’’

That is an excellent price, and I would not hesitate to have the surgery done by either of these doctors if that’s what you decide to do.  They are both highly qualified.

You can find the Facebook information by searching Facebook for the pages listed below.  You can easily become a member of these pages by requesting that you be added. The information I am quoting from is on the first page.  Just scroll-down to my post and the comments below it.  I would post the links here, but the moderator of this page will not allow it.

1. LINX Implant experience for those with the implant & those getting one

2. LINX Surgery for GERD/Acid Reflux/Silent Reflux/LPR

Please bear in mind, some of the people on these pages are having problems with their surgeons and/or LINX device, and as with all medical blogs, they can be some of the most vociferous voices on those pages.  However, for every one which has had problems, there are very many of us whom have had very few difficulties and have had excellent outcomes.

Hi Barry I can't thank you enough for this info!!! Sorry for late reply. Life has been so hectic. I'm doing multiple house renovations and on top of that live with a teenager who has borderline personality disorder, which is extremely difficult to live with (almost impossible!!!). It's no wonder I'm unwell. I've saved all the info you have sent me and when life becomes less hectic I'm going to really consider going for the Linx. I suppose I'm worried that by having the Linx I'm just putting a plaster on the problem and not dealing with the underlying cause ( digestive issues?? Low acid? SIBO?). But what if the problem is just plain and simple the LES muscle is faulty? I'm just a bit scared. Did you have any problems with the Linx straight after having it fitted? Problem is if I have problems I will be so far away from a surgeon who can sort it out, I may have to fly back to the states! 

Anyway enough of the negative I'm so glad after 30 yrs you are well. That must feel absolutely amazing!!!!!!!

warm regards

Dominique 

Hi Dominique,

No problem; life certainly is hectic much of the time, and I can surely understand why you might have added stress given your situation.

I wouldn't worry too much about the underlying cause of your reflux if I were you.  There are tests which most all gastric surgeons do that can usually identify the root cause.  I only had to have the barium swallow and 48 hour Bravo tests, and of course, several endoscopies.  Most, but not all GERD is associated with a weak LES and/or a hiatal hernia, and I had both.

I didn't have any difficulty immediately following the surgery, other than the usual recovery type issues, which in my case were only minor.

You could probably have most if not all of the preliminary testing done in Australia before visiting the U.S. for surgery.  You're right, you should be certain that all has gone well with your surgery before retuning to Australia.  There are places here where you can stay while recovering from the surgery.  I can look into that possibility if/when you decide to make the journey.  If nothing else, I'm pretty sure my wife would be happy to host you for a while here in Louisiana; I'd just have to ask her.  I don't usually make that kind of offer, but I'm all for helping you end your struggle with GERD.  LINX really has been a life-changer for me!

Kindest regards,

Barry

That's a very kind and generous offer and I appreciate it immensely. I will get the next couple of months out of the way (2 kitchen renos!!) and I will definitely make up my mind because I'm not prepared to live like this forever that's for sure. 

God bless Barry 

Dominique 

Sounds good!  We know what a process renovations can be; we are currently renovating the home which I grew up in, and we're basically tearing it down to the concrete slab and studs.  The house has good bones but most everyhing else is going away.

Post back if you need any assistance or have any questions which you I think I might be able to answer.

You mentioned God when signing off in your reply, and I do believe He is in this and will guide you.  He certainly was so in my case––from start to finish!

Many blessings to you also,

Barry

Dr. Bell was my surgeon in Denver, Colorado. He did my HH repair and LINX implant the end of July (6 weeks now) and I feel great with no issues worth writing about.  My experience (so far) mirrors what you have posted.

I also had mine 6 weeks ago.  July 24th.  Overall, I'm happy with the decision.   I do wake up with what appears to be acid in back of my throat every morning.  However, It's very slight.  So I'm not sure if that's what it is.  From what I understand, It will improve.  The eating is better but I do get stuck moments every now and then.    I guess everyone is different. : )

Mine was July 31. I've had no reflux issues at all. Dr Bell commented about what you posted re: "acid" in throat in the morning. He said it is likely from whatever I swallowed during the night rather than true reflux.

To counter that I eat one Ritz cracker as soon as I awake. I then get ready for the day and have a small cup of pudding along with my 24 oz (710ml) of black coffee.

Dr. Bell is an excellent surgeon, and he is also a patient.  He had the Linx implanted by a colleague.  My surgeon, Dr. Mark Hausmann knows him, and it seems all of the good surgeons know each other.  So, you had yours done by one of the best!  Congratulations!

It's been over 8 months since I had my hiatal hernia repaired and the Linx implanted, and I'm still loving it!  It's such a relief to have a normal digestive lifestyle back again!

Thanks for the info on Dr. Bell - indeed he is top shelf.

Oh, he is also a very good photographer (I hope it's ok to post links on the forum):

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