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Linx Procedure 2017 My Experience

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 9/30/2017 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Pam,
Thanks for the post. I wish u the best in your surgery. I'm roughly 8 months out and I'm feeling great. I agree, swallowing can be the stickler. You will learn to eat different and smaller bites. Example, I take a normal bite of food but I seperate it in half in my mouth and swallow that half. I wait 30 secs or so then swallow the other. The linx does not like a lot forces through at once. Please keep us updated and ask any questions
Posted 9/30/2017 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
Pam. Good luck with surgery, I'm sure you will be fine. Just be prepared recovery is tough. Please ask questions as you progress we are here to help. Good luck
Posted 10/2/2017 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Chad. I scheduled my endoscopy and 48 hr Bravo for this Thursday. I have been fully off the PPI's for 3 days now. The weird thing is I still have the same issue but its not getting any worse, I was expecting to be on fire after I went off the PPI's. My next step will be Peptest, then the barium swallow.
Posted 10/5/2017 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Pam, how did your surgery go. Are you recovering well? Please keep us updated.
Posted 10/11/2017 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Chad,
I'm new to the site, looking for Linx surgery success stories. How are you feeling overall after your surgery. Do you think its worth the try?
Thanks for your time.
Posted 10/11/2017 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hey sai, Thanks for the question. Overall the surgery was a success for me. The recovery process is longer than expected. Patience is a virtue.
Posted 10/11/2017 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your reply Chad, how long did it took for you to recover?
And where did you have your surgery performed? I'm in Dallas, TX.
Posted 10/12/2017 11:32 AM (GMT 0)
Chad, How is your swallowing issue now? Are you able to swallow normally now? Please share, I’m considering Linx.
Posted 10/12/2017 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
You learn how to swallow again or At least I did. At this point it's fine, but I have to take really small bites and chew very thoroughly. If you try to pass a piece of chicken or steak not chewed properly you will know it immediately. I've found its better to take a dip of water before each meal. Get the throat muscles moving, and after I feel the food has passed I may chase it with a bit of waterm. Moderation is key and slow us better
Posted 10/12/2017 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your reply.
Posted 10/14/2017 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Chad, Can I know where did you had your Linx procedure done and did you get to dilate your linx post surgery. Input on this will be a great help for me.
I'm seeing my surgeon next week and I'm already in full fear of the surgery.
Please Advice.
Posted 10/16/2017 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
Sai

I got the dialtion shortly after the implant because there was a slight pinch and I could not push through. Now, before the dialation happened they had to do a barium swallow. The diation 100% made it better for me. It seemed to stretch the scar tissue just enough to make the divide work correctly. Really you should relax. Ypuve read tons online. Your prepared, I know what to expect good and bad. If you have read my post from beginning it will give u a good idea. When is your surgery date?
Posted 10/17/2017 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Chad for your advice.
Posted 11/9/2017 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
I am 8 days out and am so glad to have found you all. this was suppose to be a simple procedure and I could return to work as a bedside nurse 12 hr shifts, in 5 days with SOME difficulty swallowing. I have been wretching from day one, they kept telling me to "power thru it and keep eating" at this point I would take it out if I could. the incisions aren't painful but I feel like I'm going to die when the food gets stuck, it takes my breath away and can last from 20- 90 min of wretching and spitting up copious amounts of slime. Day 3 I was started on prednisone and it made it to where I can at least keep alittle down and the pooling is smaller. I was totally unprepared for the magnitude of change this would make in my life. at this point I have no choice but to go down this rabbit hole. NO bread or pasta, small bites and no more than 3 at a time. regular water sends me into extreme spasm.
room temp items seem best but its not a quarentee. will take any and all help
Posted 11/9/2017 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Dsarna,

I'm so sorry to hear you go through this. If your read this forum from the beginning you will see where I went through the same thing. I strongly recommend you ask for a barium swallow test. It will show if magnets are pinching. Do not let it go as long as I did. I was dehydrated malnurished and close to my death bed I thought. Do not just listen to the doctors. I had to push and push. What I went through was not right and my body knew it. Please keep us updated and ask questions. I suggest that you take a small dip of water prior to eating, I do this before every meal. It seems to get the muscles moving and ready for action. You will eventually be able to handle breads. I couldn't at first but now it's good. Stick with Sandwhich meats and naked potatoes
Posted 11/15/2017 7:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I will be seeing another surgeon tomorrow regarding the LINX surgery. After the research I have done and posts I have read I have just about made up my mind not to go through with it if possible. I have Barretts Esophagus and I just need to know if not having this done can cause more damage and cause the cells to change. The first surgeon that I saw did not seem to think it would be that bad, however he did say the LINX gets worse before it gets better. He did not mention a lot of the things that I have read. I have had all of the pre-tests.
I hope I can hold out for the EndoStim (Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) Stimulation System for the Treatment of Reflux. It is on the last year of trials in the U.S. and has been very successful in Germany, the Netherlands and U.K. for quite a while. When the trials are complete, it will go to the FDA for approval here. I have read of several people going over there to have this procedure done but it is very costly.
God bless all of you that have gone through this, I wish you well.
Posted 11/22/2017 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
I tell people with small hiatal hernias (under 3 mm) to consider a LINX procedure. Question for all - did you insurance pay for the procedure?

My hernia was too large for this procedure so I opted for a valvuloplasty instead of a Nissen wrap because there are two many terrible complications with the wrap. There are none with the valvuloplasty and we can eat normally one month after the procedure. We also have no bloating or gas or side terrible side effects.

It seems like all of you guys are doing well (although it is difficult to tell). There are some who are scheduled for the LINX procedure, please keep us updated.
Posted 12/1/2017 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
So fellow LINXers - I am at 11 months from LINX implant and started having some problems a few months ago. I have had a barium swallow, upper endoscopy, and manometry test during the past week and will get the full results next week but so far it seems that I am having pooling issues. I am being told that PERHAPS the small amounts of acid and stomach secretions that do make it past the LINX (especially when I belch) are then not making it back into the stomach when I swallow. There's just not enough there to push past the LINX. This is leading to hoarseness, heartburn and recurrent bronchitis. Still some occasional problems with dysphagia as well - but no where near as bad as it was the first six months.

Any others out there having pooling issues?
Posted 12/3/2017 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
I am 11 days post Linx Surgery. So far, I haven't had any heartburn or acid reflux at all. I have to say though, that my experience with the surgery was quite painful. The air that is pumped into the stomach during the surgery caused excruciating pain when I woke up. The pain was in my shoulders and neck. The nurse gave me morphine but it didn't really help. I just got sleepy. Despite the anti-nausea meds given to me, I was nauseated and began dry heaving! I thought I would pass out from the pain! That was day 1. Day 2 was still quite painful but at least I was able to eat without all the problems I had before the surgery. I'm not sure if this is normal or if there's a problem but I seem to have difficulty swallowing liquids. I can actually hear gurgling and then it becomes somewhat painful for a minute or two. Is anyone else experiencing this? I will see my doctor Tuesday and will ask but if anyone has answers today I'd love to hear it.
Posted 12/3/2017 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
I saw my LINX surgeon a couple of weeks ago and he now says the 3 cm or less hiatal hernia restriction is no longer there for LINX implant - nor is the max BMI of 35.
Posted 12/3/2017 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi chimsau

I had Linx surgery on 23rd November and yes I experience difficulty swallowing water quite often, it seems to be when I haven't drunk any water for 30 minutes or so as when I constantly sip water I don't seem to have any issues
Posted 12/4/2017 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Chad,

I have been following your thread. I had the linx procedure done November 13. It has definitely been a journey. I have found that I can not drink cold water In fact water does not agree with me yet. I can drink warm or hot drinks. I even warm up apple juice so I can drink it. I am still only able to eat very small amounts at a time (crackers seem to be the best for me) and boy if I take one extra bite I know it and regret it very quickly. I am glad that I have had this procedure but it has been so far definitely life changing. I will be seeing my doctor for a follow up this Tuesday. Hoping that he will tell me that I will be able to start eating food sometime soon without having to wonder if a bathroom is close just in case what I put in my mouth doesn’t want to stay down. So glad to be able to follow this thread
Posted 12/20/2017 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Chad:
I started reading your post this morning and I am one week post surgery with the linx and a big hiatal hernia repair. Actually the surgeon said he didn’t know how I was able to breathe. Seems that he said I gained four inches of esophagus. Yesterday I really wanted the bloomimg thing removed but after talking with the surgeon I said that I would continue the rehab for now. With the removal of the hernia I must exercise in order to hopefully fill the void with lung tissue rather than fatty tissue. I still have big problems with dysphasia and so much of what you have shared is what I too am experiencing. Two days after discharge from a one night stay I had to go back for a dilation after bariatric swallow test confirmed blockage above the linx. They cannot allow you to become dehydrated so IV’s are the norm. I just have to face the fact that this will take months of dedication and learning how to do just about everything regarding eating.
Posted 12/20/2017 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
Another interesting note for current and future Linxers!

I wanted to let everyone know that I did my due diligence in researching surgeons that perform the Linx procedure. My selected surgeon has been practicing since 1983 and has done over 2500 Nissen and over 500 Linx procedures so I really feel good about his capabilities. He provides me with his cell phone number to call at any time with any issue and believe me I have used this capability. I would want some history provided for this procedure that is a simple yet has a very complex recovery period especially if you face dilation, etc.

I know that I have a ways to go but just completed a 2-mile walk and really feel good. BTW I am 76 years old. Interesting data point using a pulse oximeter my o2 was at 95% initially going down to 89% in a quarter mile but finished up at two miles with 98%.

Chad, my thanks to you again for sharing your story AND for going back and reading and providing additional feedback.

Charlie
Posted 12/20/2017 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
I HAD THIS SURGERY DEC. 7TH, AFTER SURGERY AND BEFORE I GOT TO MY ROOM, I ASKED FOR WATER
, I HAD ICE COLD WATER, AND ICE CHIPS..BY THE TIME I GOT TO MY ROOM, I WAS HAVING SPASMS, I WAS SCARED TO DEATH, MY ESOPHAGUS WAS CLOSING UP ON ME...WE FINALLY GOT THAT STRAIGHT,AND THE NURSE BROUGHT ME LUNCH, I WAS STARVED, THEY BROUGHT, TURKEY, DRESSING, ICE TEA, ROLL, AND GREEN BEANS...I DID NOT KNOW I WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO EAT ANY OF THAT, OMG, I WAS SO SICK, I HAD TO SPIT THE DRESSING OUT AND BEG THEM TO LET ME KNOW WHAT WAS GOIGN ON...MY DOC WAS IN SURGERY...FINALLY THEY GOT ALL OF THAT STRAIGHTENED, AND I ASKED THEM TO JUST BRING ME PUDDING, I KNEW IT WOULD GO DOWN...I AM STILL NOT SURE IF I AM GOING TO LIKE THIS OR NOT...TODAY 12/20/2017, AND LAST NIGHT, I HAVE HAD A LOT OF PRESSURE ON MY CHEST, WHICH IS ONE OF THE REPERCUSSIONS OF THE SURGERY ..I TOO ADMIT, IT TAKES A LOT LONGER THAN HAVING THE SURGERY AND TAKING IT EASY....YOU NEED TO EAT VERY VERY SLOW,OR YOUR FOOD WILL BACK UP ON YOU, AND THAT HURTS LIKE HELL...JUST BE CAREFUL, EAT EXCEPTIONALLY SLOW, AND TAKE THE TIME TO RECOOP...
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