Linx Procedure 2017 My Experience

Weight loss in inevitable. I ended up going less than I did in high school and I’m 38 now .. You will not be able to eat noodles and things like spaghetti probably into the six-month region you have to be careful with your selection of texture of food it takes throat muscles awhile to come back in stronger again

Mashed potatoes helped me. Plus a trip or too for fluids as I had a hard time swapping water. Almost two years out end much better
-chad

My surgery date is getting closer and closer. Next Friday on the 7th is my pre-op Doctor visit. Surgery scheduled for December 14th. I am 60 but in pretty good shape. Still, will be happy to have this over with. I also have a Hernia they are going to repair. I have no idea on the size other than the paperwork said it is a Hills grade IV and is a siding hernia, which I guess is common. I had 15 small ulcers in my stomach and my LES valve stays open 24/7. I cannot lay flat period and have not been able to for years without regurgitation.

This particular thread has sure helped me and is preparing me for whats to come.... ( Thanks to Chad) I will post after surgery and let you know how things go. Meanwhile, Lewis1992, I will pray your recovery gets better faster,

Any tips on speeding up the process when I am suffering one those episodes when it feels like I am choking? I have tried another bite or drink and that doesnt help. I try to do a dry swallow but usually there seems to be alot of saliva/ mucus. Also, how do people do with ice cream? Is that a no no like noodles?

Good luck Sara. I can not tell you how valuable this blog is. Thank you.

I wish TO GOD I came across this forum earlier. I had my Linx procedure 8 weeks ago on Monday. The doctor did nothing to prepare me for the recovery process. He actually told me I'd be up on my feet in a couple of days and could go back to work. I was not ready and would recommend at least a full week home.

I don't totally regret having the procedure, because it did what it was supposed to -- cure me of my GERD and get me off meds. I'm 53 and have had bad hearburn for about 15 years.

However, I am incredibly frustrated because I cannot eat normally. While I appreciate the weight loss (I'm not overweight but I'm not skinny, at least I wasn't), I would like to enjoy a meal, darn it. I feel full ALL THE TIME. I manage to eat a little during the day and I'm OK, but if I eat dinner, I inevitably vomit. I must be eating fewer than 500 calories a day, no joke. I also have frequent hiccups and an excessive amount of saliva.

I went for my follow up yesterday. They got me in with the radiologist and he said everything with Linx looked great, not to worry. But I don't think he's taking my concerns seriously.

Does one ever go back to eating (and drinking -- I love my wine) like a normal person?

Thanks. Reading everyone else's experiences has been very helpful. I feel like sending this link to my doctor.

Post Edited (Atlanta'65) : 12/1/2018 12:52:27 PM (GMT-7)

Atlanta
It took me a long time before I could eat a proper meal. I was to start drinking my bud light 7 months later. Small bites and small swallows and the occasional trip to the medstop for fluids. Your experienceing pooling of Salava over your linx. My doctor did not prepare me either

Gabby

Too soon for work..

Thanks Chad.

Once again, I just WISH I knew all of this going into the "procedure."

So would you say that at a year plus out there are no more side effects?

Thanks so much for your help.

This going to be short post because I am not feeling very good. I will give this a few day and update then....but I had the Linx and Hernia repair this morning. All went well.
When I woke up in recovery I had HORRIBLE pain in neck and shoulders and they gave me pain meds for it. I can't tell you whenI was discharged cause I lost track but had to GO BACK because they forgot to do the chest X-ray after placing the Linx. Hubby took me in and then straight home.

I have been walking around a bit and resting on the sofa using Mineral Ice and heating pack on my neck and should and its feeling somewhat better. I was told soft food today/tomorrow and regular diet Monday but no hard foods, no meats, no breads. I was nauseated most of the day but sipped hot tea. Finally had half of one of those yogurts. Took 20 minutes to eat. They also told us dysphasia will start week 6-8 and it will take 8months before I am near 100%~ No driving for 3 days and not allowed to lift over 10# for 6 weeks.

My tummy has 5 small incisions and are beginning to hurt....as is my lower back. Shoulders/neck has eased up some.
Going to call it a night and hit the hay. Cotton mouth big time

Chad I KNEW most of this thanks to your very informative post so I thank you for that. I was prepared. I noticed a few peeps have shared their LINX experience on YOUTUBE. You can tell which ones are representing a Dr. or Medical facility...then there's a couple men who I think are being realistic and then this post. So far, even though I am early out....this post is the most accurate to what's really happening.

That said....I look forward to being 100% this fall. Meanwhile I can lay flat which I have not dome in years. Perhaps post not so short after all, but I think the more we al share the more we can help others going through this. It's not a walk in the park like some videos and Heath professionals suggest. I am 60Y/O Female that in normal weight and am 5'9...if that means anything

Post Edited (Sara N.) : 12/14/2018 7:28:04 PM (GMT-7)

I've posted many times under this topic with pretty much no responses

Update: Four months out from the hernia repair and Linx procedure....absolutely nothing changed....recovery was as brutal as it gets, still have pain and acid coming up very bad into my throat 24/7 .... was experiencing lots of insane energy tho that I was pleased with but the last few days food coming up too....was heading for an upper GI barium test when I broke my ankle on both sides and put my heel way out of place a month ago....recovering from this surgery is also brutal....

Is it possible there's something else going on with my gut? Endoscopy showed no signs of cancer....any input would be welcomed and appreciated .....

Thanks Sara....I feel for you girl...hope recovery and healing is better than mine....sending healing thots your way asap....keep us posted so you dont feel alone in all this....xo

Whoa I'm done with surgeries for the rest of my life if I can avoid it....you're prob right Chad....its too loose

Chad, did you have surgery again to loosen it? You really have my attention now!

Post Edited (VirginiaGal) : 12/16/2018 9:08:21 PM (GMT-7)

So you went under anesth again and was it the same awful symptoms as the first time after recovery with the swallowing, eating, pain, etc. and for how long this time?

Hi Chad and Virginagirl,
I am at Day 4 post -op. Have lost 6lbs. I experienced my first bit of food feeling 'sorta stuck' today and it was yogurt. Go figure. My diet is yogurt, grapes ( a few here and there) applesauce, mashed potatoes and creamed soup.
I tried some oyster crackers. BIG mistake. Warm tea finally flushed it through though but the chest pressure was horrific. LOTS of hot tea, no sweeteners.
I am mostly chilling on the sofa but I have gotten up and do some chores. I take many many breaks but I did all the laundry , cleaned all the floors and went outside and hit tennis balls for our dog to give him exercise. It felt awesome to get out but now I am exhausted. I lasted ten minutes. I am also having many of loose stools.....not enough to dehydrate me, but annoying more than anything. Hiccups from time to time after I eat, thats also annoying and painful but at least I am not belching like a Sailor, as I was pre-op.

The Doctors nurse called and said that 90% of my stomach had herniated through the diaphragm. She said I would be sore as they were putting everything back in its proper place. I have five 1-2 inch incisions all stapled shut. One very large bruise from a Heperin Injection. Other than that she said all went very well. The incisions are all healing very well. No drainage or redness...just localized discomfort.

Shoulder and neck pain moved to my back flank now....some still in shoulders. Heating pad and Mineral Ice does make it feel better. I can honestly say my voice has greatly improved as well as my breathing. I dont feel out of breath like I did before surgery. I have been sleeping like a baby with ONE normal pillow. So I am very pleased so far.
Will update again end of this week. I hope your both doing well.

Hello. I had my small hiatal hernia repair and Linx surgery two days ago. I had dealt with chronic cough and asthma symptoms for years without the feeling of heartburn. I assumed it was allergy related but as my symptoms progressively worsened, I followed advice for endoscopy. My doctor ordered several other tests and here I am two days out from surgery. Upon waking, I was miserable with shoulder/collarbone pain from gas. My throat and incision sites were also sore and I was nauseous. They gave me pain meds which helped a bit, but the nausea worsened. That first night home was rough as there was a mixup on my prescription and my husband had to go back to the hospital to get a more clearly written Rx. I finally got meds a couple of hours later than the scheduled time to take them. At home I sipped water and had a few bites of yogurt to get down Advil (which did ease the pain). Throughout the night I ate small bites of yogurt or applesauce when taking meds. Nausea was better first day out, but I was very sore and still experiencing gas pains in shoulders. I ate small amounts of potatoes, cabbage, grapes and applesauce (warm tea) only to coat my stomach for meds and to exercise the Linx. I’ve had no appetite whatsoever. Today I’ve had nausea all day and have only eaten small bites of cooked carrot to work Linx. The more I move around, the more nausea I experience. If I lay down, it subsides. I’ve also done some hiccuping and burping. Ouch! Incision and gas discomfort has eased somewhat today. I’m optimistic, but understand there may be tough days ahead.