Linx experiences?

Posted by Drroberts @drrobertsmsmft, Jul 18, 2017

Has anyone had the Linz procedure and what was your experience?

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Profile picture for claytamos @claytamos

I've been where you are now. I had a failed fundoplication procedure. After 6 months the acid reflux was back and within a year acid back into my lungs. The doctor that did the procedure didn't give me other options. I did a lot of research starting with the Linx website and checked the background of doctors that did that. I was lucky I found a doctor that has 35 years experience in digestive surgery. I had more tests and was not a candidate for Linx but gave me the option of a partial gastrectomy (80% removal) with a roux en y. That was done in March and I'm acid reflux free. It's a big diet change but I feel much better. Do your research and don't take nothing is wrong as an answer. You'll find the right doctor. Hope all goes well

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I’m not sure if it acid reflux or GERD.but I was doing good very good since I had the Fundoplication in 2010.But in August I was exposed to carbon monoxide and fiberglass helping my husband work on a high performance mortar. That same night I started coughing and then it got hard to breathe then the acid was coming up. Have a bad taste I my mouth and haven’t been able to eat acidic food or drinks since that wkend. I SCARED TO EVEN TALK ABOUT THIS BECAUSE IVE TOLD DOCTORS ABOUT IT ABD THE LOOK AT ME LIKE IM CRAZY..I’ve been told I need consoling, go home put a wet rag over my face and calm down, even told me that I forgot how to breathe..
But my chest hurts from the esophagus spams and I hv spams in my vocal cords. My stomach and throat is burning from the acid. When I cough I’m coughing up food..it’s a fire that can’t b put out..I’ve changed eating habits or I just don’t eat. Because it hurts to swallow food or anything cold..it feels like it’s going to rip my stomach and throat apart..I’m so hoarse I can’t talk and if I do I can’t breathe..
Been on medication rolaids, backing soda..
But I’m aspirating on acid and coughing.
I had the ph test X-rays esophagus scope, the X-ray when u drink and X-ray at the same time
I wld love to go to the Mayo Clinic but I’m hrs
Away from it..
Thanks in advance for any help at all
Acid2come

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Profile picture for claytamos @claytamos

I've been where you are now. I had a failed fundoplication procedure. After 6 months the acid reflux was back and within a year acid back into my lungs. The doctor that did the procedure didn't give me other options. I did a lot of research starting with the Linx website and checked the background of doctors that did that. I was lucky I found a doctor that has 35 years experience in digestive surgery. I had more tests and was not a candidate for Linx but gave me the option of a partial gastrectomy (80% removal) with a roux en y. That was done in March and I'm acid reflux free. It's a big diet change but I feel much better. Do your research and don't take nothing is wrong as an answer. You'll find the right doctor. Hope all goes well

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Hello,I have had all the test run ph, upper GI, barium X-ray. All it showed that I was hvin spams in the esophagus and I’m hvin spams in vocal cords..can the Fundoplication look like it’s working good in the upper GI? But not be. Because I know this isn’t wright with the amount of acid coming up. I have all the symptoms of GERD. I had it before the Fundoplication surgery 12yrs ago. So I know that I know what’s going on with me. But this time it’s acting like asthma also..
I do have a question if anyone knows..
I took a very hard fall straight to the upper part of stomach. Kinda under and upwards on rib cage. But all my weight went down on rib cage. It was a muddy incline. I do weigh 200.00 so that’s a lot of weight. So my question is. Could that fall have done something to the Fundoplication that’s not showing up on all the test..the fall was in July and by August I had double up on acid medication. But wasn’t having any trouble before with acid or breathing. Maybe I’m grasping for straws but I need help. Before I aspirate to death.

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Profile picture for acid2come @acid2come

Hello,I have had all the test run ph, upper GI, barium X-ray. All it showed that I was hvin spams in the esophagus and I’m hvin spams in vocal cords..can the Fundoplication look like it’s working good in the upper GI? But not be. Because I know this isn’t wright with the amount of acid coming up. I have all the symptoms of GERD. I had it before the Fundoplication surgery 12yrs ago. So I know that I know what’s going on with me. But this time it’s acting like asthma also..
I do have a question if anyone knows..
I took a very hard fall straight to the upper part of stomach. Kinda under and upwards on rib cage. But all my weight went down on rib cage. It was a muddy incline. I do weigh 200.00 so that’s a lot of weight. So my question is. Could that fall have done something to the Fundoplication that’s not showing up on all the test..the fall was in July and by August I had double up on acid medication. But wasn’t having any trouble before with acid or breathing. Maybe I’m grasping for straws but I need help. Before I aspirate to death.

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Persistence is key. When I began my quest to have another surgery I kept telling my GI Dr that because of the sensations I was having when I swallowed it felt like my stomach was sliding again. When I had my 1st hiatal hernia repair in 1994 most of my stomach was in my chest. For a year before my surgery I was maxed out on 3 meds. I was double dosed on my prevacid, double dosed on zantac, taking liquid carafate and even using over the counter antacids. The hurtburn never stopped coming back. Be politely persistent and tell them they would change their mind quickly if they had to walk in your shoes. Keep pushing for a referral to a surgeon who SPECIALIZES in hiatal hernia repairs, Nissan fundoplication s, and LINX bands. Do not go to a general surgeon who has it on their list of can do's. You want someone who does this all the time.

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Profile picture for sylvias @sylvias

Are you speaking with a LINX surgeon?
I just had surgery on Jan 22nd 2019 to re-repair a large hiatal hernia and my surgeon who does the LINX procedure undid a Nissan wrap from 24yrs ago that had slipped. She then applied the LINX band. I've been heartburn free for the 1st time on 30yrs. It's awesome.
My surgeon Dr Helen Sohn who works out of Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa CA. which is San Diego east county. She is also part of a nation wide net work of Drs specializing in the LINX procedure.

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Hi, could your surgeon tell that the Fundoplication had slipped? before he did your Linx surgery? I had a Fundoplication surgery in 2010..Every thing was fine. Until I fell very hard on stomach/rib cage. Both feet slipped out from underneath me on a step muddy incline. It knocked the air out of me and hurt so bad. Do you think that could have moved the Fundoplication? But it looks ok on the upper GI test. The barium swallow text shows esophagus is having spasms. And spasms in the vocal cords. But a tho all text show to b normal I’m having pure acid and spams, it hurts to swallow, plus this time I’m hvin asthma related to acid, or at least that’s what I think it is. Because I’ve never had asthma before. Any information would help
Thank you

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Profile picture for acid2come @acid2come

Hi, could your surgeon tell that the Fundoplication had slipped? before he did your Linx surgery? I had a Fundoplication surgery in 2010..Every thing was fine. Until I fell very hard on stomach/rib cage. Both feet slipped out from underneath me on a step muddy incline. It knocked the air out of me and hurt so bad. Do you think that could have moved the Fundoplication? But it looks ok on the upper GI test. The barium swallow text shows esophagus is having spasms. And spasms in the vocal cords. But a tho all text show to b normal I’m having pure acid and spams, it hurts to swallow, plus this time I’m hvin asthma related to acid, or at least that’s what I think it is. Because I’ve never had asthma before. Any information would help
Thank you

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The slipped Nissan did not show up on upper GI or with any endoscopies I've had. She only found it when she went in to re-repair the hole in the diaphragm which was almost 3 cm. The hernia exists because of the hole in the diaphragm. Maybe the hole enlarged when you fell?

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Profile picture for sylvias @sylvias

The slipped Nissan did not show up on upper GI or with any endoscopies I've had. She only found it when she went in to re-repair the hole in the diaphragm which was almost 3 cm. The hernia exists because of the hole in the diaphragm. Maybe the hole enlarged when you fell?

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Hello, I really appreciate your time. I don’t know if it affected the Nissen or not I just know my problems started soon after the fall

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Profile picture for sylvias @sylvias

Persistence is key. When I began my quest to have another surgery I kept telling my GI Dr that because of the sensations I was having when I swallowed it felt like my stomach was sliding again. When I had my 1st hiatal hernia repair in 1994 most of my stomach was in my chest. For a year before my surgery I was maxed out on 3 meds. I was double dosed on my prevacid, double dosed on zantac, taking liquid carafate and even using over the counter antacids. The hurtburn never stopped coming back. Be politely persistent and tell them they would change their mind quickly if they had to walk in your shoes. Keep pushing for a referral to a surgeon who SPECIALIZES in hiatal hernia repairs, Nissan fundoplication s, and LINX bands. Do not go to a general surgeon who has it on their list of can do's. You want someone who does this all the time.

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I will start looking for a surgeon that specializes in this field. I think my problem is over my Gastroenterologist s head. Thank you for information 😊

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Profile picture for kathiec5 @kathiec5

i had linx dec 10 2018.....i had a chronic cough from the acid....i still cough some but am told that will decrease....i do have alot of gas but am told that should subside.....i am 9 weeks post op.....anyone else dealing with alot of gas

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Hello, I’ve only had the Fundoplication surgery. So I can’t answer about the LINX surgery. But I do think you have more gas from the Fundoplication surgery. But I will take that over the other symptoms. Before you had your LINX surgery. Did the acid that was getting into your lungs make it hard to breathe or any asthma symptoms?hope your doing better:)

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Profile picture for Ryman @ryman

I am very anxious to hear more about this procedure. But I am glad to know someone else does not take the PPis. I have been telling drs for years I don't want them because I already have severe osteoporosis. I take Nexium for a few days when things get very bad. I have had GERD and swallowing problems most of my life. I have had many endoscopies and stretching. They finally sent me to a speech therapist which has helped some. Just today my dr told me to quit taking the PPi but because it causes dizziness which I have had for over a year. She told me to use Zantac and Tums. I do want to hear about this Linx procedure. I will read up on it and see what else you have to say.

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I too am interested in Linx procedure. I have read many people who have had it with mixed reviews. Some love it and some people are having LINX removed. I have Barrett’s esophagus and do not take ppis anymore. I am on Pepsid instead. I was on PPI for 14 months to heal a large ulcer. But it started to affect my kidneys. I have to have another endoscopy to see if I have dysplasia from the Barrett’s esophagus. My LES sphincter is not tight so I need to make a decision. There’s many different options. LINX is one of the newer ones.

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Profile picture for Nanny23 @nanny23

I too am interested in Linx procedure. I have read many people who have had it with mixed reviews. Some love it and some people are having LINX removed. I have Barrett’s esophagus and do not take ppis anymore. I am on Pepsid instead. I was on PPI for 14 months to heal a large ulcer. But it started to affect my kidneys. I have to have another endoscopy to see if I have dysplasia from the Barrett’s esophagus. My LES sphincter is not tight so I need to make a decision. There’s many different options. LINX is one of the newer ones.

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I am very happy with my LINX band. Every so often I have trouble swallowing but it is no big deal. End of January it will be a year since my surgery. For me it was a medical necessity. Nothing was stopping the heartburn. I was on PPIs for over 24yrs and at the time if my surgery I was double dosed on prevacid and zantac. I was also using carafate liqiud left over from my radio frequency ablations for 8 cm of Barrett's that had some low grade dysplasia and I was also using OTC antacids. I spent 7 months after surgery weaning of the PPIs to avoid rebound acid production. Here are some resources; Eating after LINX Esophageal Surgery at nationaljewish.org and linxforlife.com, Physician Locator. Good luck🙂

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