LINX Recovery Journal

I know that there are a lot of people on this forum contemplating the LINX procedure. It took a long time for the LINX to be approved by my insurance which gave me time to carefully consider its pros and cons. There is limited information available anywhere so this website was invaluable by providing recovery journals and thoughts from those who had already undergone the procedure.

I'm not going to do a day by day recovery journal, but will try to post weekly in order to help others who are also considering the LINX.

Week 1 - I had the LINX surgery last Friday, July 26th.

I had it done because of LPR symptoms that couldn't be controlled by PPIs. I would say that the severity of my LPR was only "moderate," but it really bothered me because of always straining my voice and regularly losing it.

The surgery was pretty easy. I was in pain afterwards, but it was easily controlled by pain meds. I spent the night in the hospital and was out the next morning. I ate apple sauce, yogurt, and other soft foods that night. In the morning, I had some crackers and even had some normal food including some french fries and pizza.

It's been a pretty uneventful week. I'm not taking any more narcotic pain meds, but just tylenol and ibuprofen. The incisions are healing up well. I didn't have a hernia repair so haven't had to worry as much about straining. I did just have surgery though so know its important to take it easy.

I had a pretty bad manometry test before the surgery so dysphasia was a concern. I borderline failed the test which almost disqualified me for the LINX. I had pretty bad expectations, but have been pleasantly surprised. I've only had food get "stuck" once. Otherwise, I can feel more pressure around the LINX and a little bit of pain sometimes when I eat, but it's otherwise not too bad. The one time that food did get stuck was when I was hungry and didn't chew enough. It seems like as long as I chew very thoroughly that sometimes the food hesitates, but eventually gets into my stomach.

I'm cautiously optimistic that the procedure is also controlling my reflux. I've been spending a lot of time in bed over the past week and sometimes have laid down right after eating. Usually, I would get reflux and a burning sensation in the back of my throat, but haven't since the surgery. I've also been experimenting with more of my triggers and would like to think that I'm no longer having reflux with them either.

The recovery has been very easy, especially compared to the Nissen, and I'm happy with my decision to get the LINX.

I'll keep you posted.

David

David, looking good! How are your LPR symptoms post op?

David,

It is good to read that you are doing well and I wish you the best as you move through your healing process.

Kindly,

Kitt

Week 2

It's two weeks out and my incisions have healed up and I'm no longer in too much pain. My one issue is dysphasia which has been pretty bad at times. Before, whenever something got stuck I felt a little sick, but then would gag myself and vomit it up and then feel alright. Now, the food getting stuck is followed by much more severe nausea and vomiting.

It's hard to tell if individual bites go down or not. The problem comes when the first bites don't go down and my esophagus gets backed up with food. Then, liquids don't even go down and a lot of vomiting and nausea follows. Even after my stomach is empty there are still dry heaves. It's pretty miserable.

One donut this morning led to about two hours of suffering.

Those bad episodes make me a little apprehensive about eating. It's tempting to just have liquids, but it's also important to keep working through the dysphasia. As scar tissue keeps forming it will likely get worse before it gets better.

I just had a good dinner though, which is encouraging. I think that as long as I am extremely careful while eating that I won't have those horrible episodes.

LPR was seriously interfering with my life and I'm still glad to go through these rough times to hopefully get that under control.

I've seen a few questions about physical activity after surgery.

Yesterday (about 2 1/2 weeks after surgery), I went rock climbing and felt great. I didn't do as before surgery, but was surprised to not have much pain. I also ran a few days ago and felt fine. I work in a nursing home which is a pretty physical job and am going back this Friday, which will be three weeks after surgery. I should note that I didn't have a hernia repair with the LINX. If I would've had a hernia repair than I would be more worried about stressing the sutures.

Also, I've seen a few questions about manometry tests before and dysphasia after both the LINX and Nissen. I borderline failed my manometry test before surgery. about half of my swallows didn't trigger any coordinated muscle contraction of the esophagus. I have had some dysphasia since the surgery, but it's been much better while being extra careful with chewing. Today is my fourth day without a choking and vomiting episode.

I'm thankful that the LINX has worked well for me so far. My LPR symptoms aren't as bad as before and I'm hopeful that they will keep getting better.

That's all for now,

David

Hi dholmb,

What LPR symptoms do you have now? How much improvement since the surgery? I really would like to hear more details.

Thanks!
Hopegood

Thanks very much, David.

Please let us know how your ENT doctor thinks about your laryngeal changes.

Have a great day!

Hopegood

Any updates dholmb? Did your LPR continue to get better? I am trying to determine Linx versus Nissen now and would really like to hear more about your experience.

I ended up having Linx a year ago now and I can tell you that it didn't help my LPR much....maybe 20% decrease in symptoms.