Hello all,

I am new to this post and am considering having the Linx put in towards the end of June. I have had GERD for 15 years now and 20mg omeprazole controlled it well for most of that time but meds no longer work, even on high doses and I have developed symptoms of LPR now too. The Linx is of interest to me due to the fact that it doesn't change your anatomy and is reversible.
Slicer - I am very interested in hearing how you are getting on as I will be meeting Dr Ashton, Prof Favretti soon to discuss having the procedure done in a few weeks time. Any one else out there with a Linx story to tell yet?

Hi All,

I'm having the LINX done on 25th June. When I saw Dr. Ashton he said latest research has shown no adverse effects when having an MRI. Hope he's right 'cos I've got to have one on my shoulder & it won't be till AFTER I've had the LINX!!

Good luck!!

Jan

    Hello Everyone.  Let me reintroduce myself.  I was on this forum a year or so ago. My computer crashed and I dropped out and sort of forgot about this forum.  Anyhoo,  I was/am involved in the clinical trial for the LINX.  Mine will have been implanted two years in August.  It is of little/no benefit to me.  I still have to take Nexium. 
     My surgery went well and as soon as I sobered up from the anesthetics they booted me out of the hospital.  I had no more pain than from any other cut of about one half inch long.  I went about my normal activities immediately.  I had a bit of trouble swallowing if I didn't chew my food up extremely well.  Now I can wolf down steak, cheeseburgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, and anything else without a second thought.  I had a large disagreement with my doctor lying to me about one of the tests and after being treated like I was an idiot and of little worth I bid him adieu and didn't go back for the final tests and interviews.  Many phone calls and a registered letter to me were ignored.  Maybe his loss, maybe mine.
      My surgery was free it being a clinical trial.  If I had to pay-no way!.  You can read more here. 

Linx system surgery Part 2 of 2

Jeronimo,
I'm sure that's possible but I don't think I'll be going any further with it. I think if mine were any tighter it might cause too much problem swallowing. When I first had this thing I was eating a pork chop in a restaurant. The food got hung going into my stomach and it caused quite a bit of discomfort. Such as my face turning red, my nose running, my eyes watering, and continuous swallowing to try to get it to go down. That included jumping up and down. It was at least a couple of minutes before I got any relief. It was comical for onlookers but not pleasant at all for me. That's when I learned to chew my food into mush. If it causes me any trouble in the future I may have it taken out. Otherwise I'll just live with what I have. Nexium is my friend. :) Two Dogs

No problem! Us reflux sufferers must help each other!

I had the linx put in at the end of June and 2 weeks on am very impressed. I am encountering a bit of "First bite dysphagia" which occurs as a matter of course as the device is gradually encased in tissue by the body but nothing I can't handle. Belching is a little difficult as the gastric pressure has to build up to a certain point before the magnetic hold breaks but again, nothing I can't handle and really not much of a problem. Otherwise it is superb - sleeping flat for the first time in years, no more reflux and can eat anything with no ill effects, albeit a little slower and more chewing than before, which is no bad thing! Surgical wounds are limited to 2 punctures on each side of the belly button and 6 stitches in the belly button - amazing. They are healing quickly and even 11 days on are hardly noticeable.

Awesome news AntZag, great...and thanks for posting it!

I dont know if you have read some of my other posts but have they told you anything about if it was safe for you to have MRIs? I really like the LINX device and think it would be great for me but I might need some MRIs in the future due to other problems and since there doesnt seem to be any oficial studies...have the doctors or surgeons told you anything about being able or not to have MRIs?

Shooz

great hearing from you

before i "joined" i read back what seemed like a years worth of comments and remember reading many of yours

i havent seen a comment from slicer in almost 3 months and hope all is well

are you able to eat a normal meal with the linx?

do you have any sensation that it is "there", and is it easy to swallow food and liquid

thanks for staying in contact

best wishes
mock turtle

Hi Jeronimo / Raj, thanks very much. I had mine done in Manchester UK end of June by Professor Favretti. I actually live in Kenya but went to the UK for the surgery. The procedure is quick and uncomplicated - less complicated than having a gastric bank placed. Recovery is quick - you can eat a normal diet the same day. I ate 3 sandwiches and a cheesecake the evening of my procedure. The incisions in your stomach heal in 10 days to 2 weeks. As Shooz says, you have to eat slowly with small bites chewed well. I am on week 6 now and have had some dysphagia (they warn you to expect it) during that time including some nasty episodes where things really got stuck, but you just push through it. It is much improved now and hardly ever happens any more. As Shooz mentions, some food cause more problems than others - bread is a bad one, pastry, chips/ fries etc. Have to really chew them down to liquid. Otherwise great.

I am off PPIs - I was on them for 12 years twice a day. I am going through bad acid rebound (which can happen if you stop ppis after being on them for a while and can last up to 3 months apparantly due to high gastrin levels in your blood) and this results in a hot/burning feeling in my stomach but the acid isn't escaping through my LES anymore so doesn't bother my esophagus. I just have to eat frequently to keep the acid busy.

MRI - I was told that I can't have MRI's. There is some research being done into whether they may be allowed in the future - apparantly they have tried an MRI on a pig which had the device implanted with no problems.

Im glad that those who had the LINX are satisfied with the results! If I get the LINX the only problem will be eating slowly and chewing well...when Im hungry, Im hungry!!

about the MRIs...Ive been looking into CAT scans and they are the way to go in case you cant get MRIs.

To those that have the LINX device...have you been able to do exercise or gym without problems?

Thanks for the info AntZag!

justpassinthrough

good luck

many of us will be waiting for any information you can share with us about your linx procedure

i too have LPR...bad but strangely i also reflux at night...and occasional, typical gerd pain

i ve given up trying to figure it all out

best of good luck to your as you go for the linx!

mock turtle