Linx surgery is a new surgery developed in recent years. Many patients do not even know that surgery is an option for more severe gastroesophageal reflux or gastric acid reflux. This is just one of many types available to patients. It is a Linx reflux management system for acid reflux treatment. Linx surgery is a kind of weight loss surgery, including placing a small belt around the stomach to form a smaller food bag. This operation is also known as laparoscopic gastric banding. Because this is a medical process, Linx surgery always has some advantages and disadvantages to consider. Linx surgery can be used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is a disease in which the lower esophageal sphincter cannot prevent the reflux of gastric contents to the esophagus, airway and mouth. This situation affects about 10% of people in the West and has a significant negative impact on the quality of life.
What is Linx Surgery?
Linx is a new surgery originated in 2012. It has been tested for 4 years and approved by FDA. It is a series of magnets or magnetic rings implanted in the bottom of the esophagus. The operation was performed by laparoscopy. The magnet is designed to remain closed and prevent the valve on the esophagus from opening at the wrong time.
It prevents stomach acid from entering the esophagus and throat from the stomach. When people eat, it allows food to pass through. It will open and let the patient burp and vomit. This is a small and flexible band composed of titanium beads, which are connected together to form a bracelet. It clings to the esophageal sphincter, and the attraction of beads prevents the opening of the esophagus.
Under normal circumstances, the device is turned off after the patient swallows. The device has six different sizes, and the surgeon uses the size measurement tool to determine the correct size of the patient. When he found the right size by measuring the esophagus, he removed the sizing tool and placed the Linx device through the incision in the abdomen around the esophagus. It is located in the channel created by the surgeon and does not need stitching.
What is a Linx Device?
The Linx device consists of a titanium ring mounted on the top of the stomach. There is an inflatable balloon in the ring, which can be inflated or deflated as needed. This allows the surgeon to adjust the size of the gastric pouch, which helps promote weight loss. Linx surgery is a relatively new surgery, and its efficacy is still controversial. Some studies have shown that it can be an effective weight loss tool, while other studies have not yet reached a conclusion. However, most experts agree that the operation is safe and the risk of complications is low.
Linx surgery is quite effective. About 90-95% of people receiving this treatment can stop using prescription drugs completely, and the remaining 5-10% rarely use them. Compared with the previous treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, it has several advantages.
What Are the Advantages of Linx Surgery?
Compared with other weight loss programs, Linx surgery has many advantages to consider.
1. Less Invasive
Compared with other weight loss surgery, Linx surgery is effective and less invasive. The risk of such surgery is also low. Most people use this surgery to avoid complications of other weight-loss surgery.
2. Promote Long-Lerm Weight Loss
Once the Linx device is placed, it can help you lose weight naturally over time. This may be a useful tool for those who have been fighting obesity in the past and want to maintain a new healthy weight. When Linx surgery is a long-term harvest, you can be sure of its advantages.
3. On the Same Day
Linx surgery is usually carried out as an outpatient procedure, which means that patients can go home on the same day. The operation takes about an hour to complete, and the recovery time is usually very short. Most people return to normal activities within a few days.
4. Improve Overall Health
In addition to helping you lose weight, Linx devices can also help improve your overall health. Linx surgery can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes and other diseases.
5. Fast Recovery Time
Linx surgery won’t last long. You can go home that day. It only takes you a few days to recover from the operation before you resume normal activities. Patients can usually eat soft food 48 hours after surgery. Usually, you can resume normal activities within a few days after the pain is relieved. Weight lifting and vigorous exercise require waiting for at least three weeks or more. About 10% of Linx patients still need to take medicine after surgery. Linx patients cannot have MRI because it may damage the implanted Linx device.
6. Low Complications
Linx surgery is performed by laparoscopy, which means that it can be completed quickly with minimal invasion. This reduces the risk of complications and makes it a good choice for many patients.
What Are the Disadvantages of Linx Surgery?
Although Linx surgery has many advantages, it also has some potential disadvantages. These can include:
1. Potential Complications
Like any type of surgery, Linx surgery has some risks. These include potential complications that may require additional treatment, such as infection or bleeding.
2. High Cost
Another common problem with this program is that the average cost is about $14000. The initial equipment installation usually costs thousands of dollars, and the insurance coverage varies according to the policy. If you consider doing this operation, it is important to do research to see if your insurance can cover the cost.
This is a new program that has not been tested for a long time to determine its effectiveness. Some side effects are dysphagia, postoperative pain, and gastric distension. There is always a risk of infection. It is more expensive than other reflux surgery. Some insurance companies will underwrite the program, while others will not. Be sure to check with your insurance company before performing this procedure. The cost depends on who has the surgery and which country you live in.
3. Not Valid for Everyone
Linx surgery may not work for everyone. Some people may not lose weight or regain weight after surgery. Before doing this operation, it is important to discuss your goals and expectations with the doctor to ensure that it is the right choice.
More information about Linx surgery weight gain can sometimes cause problems with Linx equipment because it puts pressure on the stomach. When you have procedures to check with your doctor to see if you need pre authorization to pay. The cost of Linx backflow ranges from $3000 to $5000. For those who have undergone weight loss surgery or esophageal surgery, this is not a good operation. Patients are usually tested to determine whether the operation is suitable for them.
4. Need Special Diet
After Linx surgery, you need to follow a special diet to avoid complications. This diet usually includes foods that are high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and easy to digest. You also need to take supplements to ensure adequate nutrition.
5. Risk of Equipment Slipping
A major disadvantage of Linx surgery is that the Linx device may slide or shift, which may lead to additional complications. If this happens, you may need to operate again to adjust the position of the device.
Different Between Fundoplication of Stomach & Linx Surgery
Which of the two treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease is the best?
- Fundoplication of Stomach
Patients have good tolerance to fundoplication and can solve moderate and severe gastroesophageal reflux disease. Patients are usually very happy and their condition eases after many years. This method has a long record of success and is applicable to most patient situations. Finally, fundoplication does not require implantable medical devices such as the Linx system, because it may erode the esophagus or slip, requiring revision or implantation.
- Linx Surgery
Linx device is specially designed to solve many shortcomings of traditional fundus folding surgery. For example, when the stomach is wrapped around the esophagus, Les will be under great pressure, which will make it difficult for patients to vomit and hiccup. This trapped gas is called gas expansion syndrome. These problems have nothing to do with the Linx system, because it can accommodate falling food and provide some relief for people who need burping or vomiting.
Linx surgery also solves a common problem, that is, the length of recovery after fundoplication. Patients with fundoplication must adjust their diet and lifestyle within about six weeks after operation. This is not the case for Linx patients who can eat and perform normal activities immediately after surgery.
Linx surgery also has a potential glimmer of hope, even if it has to be removed due to complications. The body will form scar tissue around the Linx surgery device. After transplantation, the scar tissue may even exert additional pressure on LES.
- How to Choose?
Before judging which of these two operations is the most effective to solve gastroesophageal reflux, we must also include gastric bypass. Gastric shunt is extremely effective in reducing or eliminating the incidence rate of gastroesophageal reflux disease. In fact, when patients with gastric sleeve have severe gastroesophageal reflux, they sometimes turn to bypass. Bypass surgery is not suitable for all patients, but if you also have obesity, this may be an option to consider.
Of course, as with any surgical procedure, the suitability of the patient will be determined during consultation and subsequent medical evaluation. In both cases (fundoplication and Linx), patients may experience significant relief from chronic acid reflux. Similarly, the overall risk is very low.
Conclusion on Pros and Cons of Linx Surgery
Is Linx surgery right for you? The answer to this question is definitely not simple. Many advantages and disadvantages of Linx surgery need to be weighed before deciding whether to perform such surgery. Ultimately, it depends on personal preferences and an understanding of risks and benefits. If you think Linx surgery is suitable for you, please consult your doctor to discuss your choice in more detail.
