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In 2015 I had the LINX device put in during a complicated surgery that included hiatal hernia repair and MALS release (rare disease). The LINX is the only thing that has worked out for me since. I did have some really fun dysphagia for the first few months but it resolved, and I learned how to avoid it. Dry chicken was the worst thing, so I had to learn to keep a glass of water handy and be patient at the first sign of it backing up. Around 2018 they sent me a scary letter about a recall of a batch of the device, and so I went in for a barium swallow. Everything was functioning perfectly except tiny pills have a tendency to get stuck in the bottom of my esophagus and I wouldn't necessarily feel it. So now I'm careful to drink more water or eat something so pills don't get stuck. Occasionally I will feel something like heartburn but it's mild and rare, usually because I burped or hiccupped. I'm off PPIs, have no regurgitation and have no nighttime reflux or discomfort. Before surgery I had severe reflux that I would feel travel all the way up my esophagus. My only hope is this device truly will last a lifetime. My surgeon preferred me getting a Nissen but I was uncomfortable with my stomach being permanently rearranged and not being able to burp or vomit. If you decide to get the LINX, just be sure the surgeon has done a lot of them since it's a delicate area and needs to be precisely sized and placed.
Replies to "In 2015 I had the LINX device put in during a complicated surgery that included hiatal..."
First of all curious did insurance cover it in 2015? They called it experimental in 2014 and after saying they would cover it they did not! 7,000 out of pocket! My experience is similar to yours but I never got a recall notice! I did have a scope to stretch it because it was too tight and food got stuck. Yes white chicken is the worse, don't eat it anymore I stick to dark meat not as bad. I take several supplements and wondered if the capsules are getting stuck! I still had to take PPI's after surgery but once I changed my diet I was able to get off them, plus the rebound when I tried to get off was brutal! Over all I'm glad I did it and not the Nissen, at least the LINX can be removed!
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Thank you for the update and the information. Other then asking the surgeon, do you know of another way to find out exactly how many they have done and the outcomes? I'd like to be able to independently verify the information. I agree with you about the Nissen and permanently altering things; I feel the same way after continuing to look into it. I have a constant sour taste in my mouth and more mild burning in my chest; sleeping is awful. I'm signficantly elevated and sleep is generally poor as a result. I'm not sure what people mean when they refer to regurgitation as I don't feel food coming up. I just have a flood of liquid always going all the way into my mouth. It doesn't matter if I eat or not. Sorry for the detail but it's nice to be able to express this to people who can relate.