Linx surgery for acid reflux

Great report, Jason!  I am following right behind you and have had the same experience.  I'm almost 7 months post op now, and thankfully, refflux is a thing of the past.  I suffered with GERD and LPR for over 30 years, and I never had one GI doctor recommend LINX or any other surgical solution.  Most of them are nothing more than professional drug pushers, accepting money and perks from the pharmaceutical industry in exchange for prescribing PPI drugs. They simply are not interested in long term solutions, only bandaiding the symptoms!  For me, LINX has been a medical miracle, and it was the easiest surgery and recovery I have ever experienced!

You're exactly right all the doctors and Pharmacy company just want to keep pushing this stuff down your throat because they get a nice Kickback for prescribing these meds. daddy unfortunately when I had it done back in May of last year it worked for a few months and I start getting reflux again however when I went back in for more testing they found out that I had a high anal hernia which was causing the reflux they went back in fixed it into this day I can't believe I'm free of this medication and I cannot eat and drink anything I want without any issues. I just wish more people were aware of all the harm and side effects from long term use of medications.

Jason, I had my surgery 17 days ago and I've been very unhappy.  Your comments and others certainly help me see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I have a question. What did you do with regard to the burping and hiccups.  I have had non stop of both for 17 days.  Miserable!

Hi Michael,  sorry to hear of your post surgery difficulties!  We all react to the LINX implant surgery differently.  Some have a harder recovery period, and others like myself, seem to breeze through it.   Dysphagia, bloating, burping, hiccups, nausea, vertigo, etc., can all be a normal par of the post surgery recovery process, even though it is annoying and many times, painful.  I experienced many of these things, including the burping and hiccups, but I'm my case it was mild.   All of these symptoms should dissipate and disappear completely over time.  In my case, it took about 8 weeks.  The LINX implant has been a medical miracle for me.  I no longer reflux and I don't even know the device is there.  If I had to, I'd do the surgery all over again in a heartbeat.

If you haven't already done so, I recommend visiting a couple of Facebook pages where many of us post.  The community and information there can be very helpful. I would post the links here, but the moderator of this page will not allow it.  So, if you are interested, just search on Facebook for these two pages:

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

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

Best wishes for speedy recovery and exceptional outcome!

Barry, thanks for the advice.  It's now 22 days post op and I feel much better.  No more hiccups or burping.  I do have some discomfort in the chest area but it never lasts more than a couple of seconds.  I have zero heartburn.  Swallowing is still a bit of an issue.  However, I am optimistic.  Reading your story certainly makes me feel better.   I can't wait until I'm able to eat anything I want.   Best!

Hello Michael -

I'm not Jason but I had my LINX implated 6 weeks ago. I found the hiccups were caused by two things: too mlarge of a bite and not chewing well enough. Take MUCH smaller bites, chew well and the hiccups will stay away.

Burping has been diminishing with time.

My apologies.   The hiccups stopped on day 17.  I'm now nearing 7 weeks post op.  Overall, things are good.  Anything you can share about your experience?  I still get food stuck anytime I don't chew well.  

Hi Michael -

"...anytime I don't chew well" is our new normal which sure beats the old normal!

Listen to your mother "Don't stuff your mouth and chew your food well!" - she was right.

Hello Micheal -

Oh, almost forgot - bread and heavy meats (as opposed to shrimp, flaky fish, etc) are more difficult the swallow. I just eat small bites, chew well and there are few issues...other than being the last one to finish my meal.

Then again this regiment has cost me about 9 lbs (4kg) which wasn't a bad thing for my old body.

Glad to hear you are doing better, Michael!  The dysphagia (stuck food and spams) can last into the 12th week, but for me it was gone after week 4.  After over 8 months post op, I still get a little dysphagia whenever I'm stressed and eat a little too fast, but that's about it.  I've been eating slowly and chewing well for decades because it helped me too digest my food and not reflux as much.  So, doing it now after LInx is easy for me, and it really does help.   Anyway, I'm glad you have joined so many of us Linxsters in rediscovering the land of digestive bliss!

Hi Jason

So glad you don't have reflux anymore. What a joy life must be!! I'm considering the Linx but have had so many issues going on in my life I've had to it the idea on hold. Who did your op and in what country? I'm in Perth WA and we don't have Linx here. So the op is going to cost me a lot of money!!! 

Do you think it will still work if I'm under a lot of stress?? 

Thanks Dominique 

Hey Barry.  Yeah, overall my quality of life has improved and I am genuinely happy.  I have no dysphagia.  I just have to remember to chew very well.  I had a couple of stuck episodes just yesterday. I've also gained back 6 lbs.  So food is making it's way down.  Remember, I'm just now completing my 7th week.  I know I have at least 2 more months before I feel completely normal.  At least that's what I hope for.  Regardless, I would recommend this to anyone suffering from GERD.  If I had to do it over...I would a thousand times.   : )   Fellow Linxster.....I like that.

I have gained back 6 lbs.  So I'm on my way back.  Overall, things are good.  I just have to remember to chew well before swallowing.  I only get those stuck episodes when I don't.    At least the worse is over.  I really suffered the first 2 weeks. 

Fellow Linxster.

Hi Jason

Thanks for your prompt reply. It's great your still around on the forum even though your all good now. 

Do you mind telling me how much you paid for the op and would I pay the same if I'm coming from another country? 

my gastro doc is unsure about the Linx because he thinks tissue will grow over the Linx. So if there's a problem I suppose it becomes difficult to remove. Did your doc discuss this with you? 

What's Pittsburg like? Is it a good holiday destination? I could combine the op with a family holiday! 

Do you think I could get all the pre tests done in Australia and just send them to the doctor? I suppose I would have to ask doc Blair. 

It's been a long arduous 4 years with reflux and I can't bare the thought of it never going away!!!! I want my passion for food to come back. It was such a big part of my life. 

Thank you for your time it's so appreciated. 

Kind regards 

Dominique 

Jason,

?You saw Dr. Jobe? You were very pleased with him?  I am having a bad bout of LPR and after 18 years of meds with occasional flares, this is one of the worst since I was diagnosed with GERD/LPR. I am considering surgery as I am not sure that staying on the meds for my lifetime is a good idea. My husband is very leery as NO surgery is without complications and he is concerned. I am in PA..Pittsburgh is a ride of about 4 hours but more than doable. I am trying to do my research. I will likely be schedule for manometry and PH monitoring later in January. I have had swallowing study done (delayed gastric motilitiy) and years of endoscopy....

Kate, There are no words to describe the relief I have after having the surgery. DR. JOBE was amazing and I highly recommend that anyone that has gerd to go see him ASAP. staying on the medication has more complications in the future. not only are you just putting a Band-Aid on the issue you're not fixing it. you will be more susceptible to bone fractures hip issues and long-term usage is even cancer. And I can tell you the day of my surgery I was able to eat foods that I had not eaten and probably 13 years and also drink beer and anything else I wanted without relying on the pill. I have yet to use the pill there have been a few times where It was a little burning but all I took was a Tom or drink a little milk and I was perfectly fine but to this day I have not had to use the pill so yes I highly recommend go see dr. Jobe and get this issue taken care of yourself it will be the best and smartest decision you have ever made. and the surgery itself it's a cakewalk I had surgery took one day off work and the next day I woke up feeling better than ever and I decided to go into work that day so I had one day off and that was for the surgery.