LINX vs Fundoplacation

Hello. I am new to this forum, and have not read all the wonderful posts yet, but I wanted to get my discussion on the line as soon as possible. Several tests and an endoscopy confirm that I have GERD. Unfortunate, I am allergic to all the PPI medications that help to correct this situation. I have a very unfavorable reaction in my kidneys when I try to take any of these meds.

I really don't have any outward symptoms of the GERD(heartburn, pains in my chest, etc). But my latest endoscopy shows that I have Barrett's disease in my esophagus which is a change in the cells and can be a precursor to cancer. Therefor, I have scheduled the LINX surgery for Sep12. The LINX is a set of magnets which controls the opening and closing of the muscle from my esophagus to my stomach. I selected this method because it is a little less invasive, and if it doesn't work, it can be removed. The fundoplacation is, as I understand it, much more difficult to correct if problems come up. I am also considering having HALO radio frequency ablation to remove the first layer of precancerous cells in my esophagus, which should reduce the chance of my getting cancer from the Barrett's disease

Finally, I intend to continue posting my experiences as I move along as others have so wonderfully done before me. I would appreciate any feedback you can provide.

Thanks very much. I don't seem to be able to open the site you provided. Have copy/pasted it to a blank sheet, but still no luck. Suggestions to help me out?

Bill

- 5 days to the procedure. I am posting this to let folks know that I am going with the LINX instead of fundoplication even though I have Barrett's. The reviews on this are indicate that the LINX is considerably better as far as recovery and the post surgery effects are concerned. My doctor says that we can continue to treat the Barrett's either way. We we will see.

Bill

Facky please keep us up to date. What caused the delay? We wish you the best & we will follow your journey. Pat

Thanks Facky. Never heard of that. I thought all he had to say was he had surgery scheduled and they usually excuse them. Please stay in contact.

Hi. I must admit that I did not keep my promise to post regularity. I'll try and give an update here. I had the LINX procedure on October 12. Stayed overnight in the hospital. I had no pain and and really could hardly tell that the procedure had been completed. Joked with the surgeon that he must have forgot to put it in. When I got home, I did have some some issues with throwing up and per the discharge directions from the hospital, I went to the ER and was readmitted to the hospital. (more about this later- not as bad as it may sound now) Spent another night there there because there was a blockage in my colon and swelling in my stomach. Stomach swelling when down and blockage and blockage corrected with out any further surgery or procedures. Discharged the next day.

At home, I resumed eating my normal diet as is recommended after LINX surgery. Eat what you want as it is important to do this so the LINX can get acclimated to your body. It actually expands to work better when it becomes familiar with the types and variety of food you usually eat. You should eat the same foods, BUT HOW YOU EAT THEM is important. At the beginning and I suspect later on as well is to CHEW, SWALLOW, AND PAUSE. This was also mentioned by other bloggers. One reason that I think I had to go back to the ER was that I just started stuffing things down my poor esophagus. My doctor later told me that throwing up is not unusual for the first 60 days after surgery as the LINX gets settled in. I am out about 6 weeks now. I have not really thrown up at all. Sometimes a little liquid will come back up if you don't follow the eating rules. Several times, maybe 3 or 4 times a week, I will notice that food is not flowing though as it should, not choking or gagging, but just short of hung up a bit. I then must take a few sips of water to get it going again.

I am at the point now that I rarely ever even notice that the LINX is there. I have had virtually no pain because of the procedure. I I am set up with my doctor for a check-up in early December, and I am scheduled for another endoscopy next early year in March to see how(hopefully ) this procedure has improved the condition of my esophagus. I would be glad to answer any questions and will post anything else that is worthy of note and share the results of the endoscopy share the results of the endoscopy.




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