LINX Specialist

LINX services offered in Lone Tree, CO

The LINX® procedure is a minimally invasive way to improve your GERD symptoms and discontinue your daily proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medication. At the Institute of Esophageal and Reflux Surgery, a part of SOFI Research, LLC, premier physicians Reginald Bell, MD, and Philip Woodworth, MD, offer the state-of-the-art LINX procedure. This procedure gives patients the long-term relief they seek. Call the office in Lone Tree, Colorado, or book your appointment through the online scheduling feature now.

LINX Q & A

What is LINX?

LINX is a product of the Ethicon division of Johnson&Johnson® Medtech. It’s a procedure to improve the function of your lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the ring of muscles at the end of your food pipe (esophagus). Your LES relaxes to allow food and liquid to enter your stomach.

Normally, the LES closes tightly after food and liquid reach the stomach. This prevents your stomach contents, including harmful acid, from moving up to your esophagus.

But if your LES isn’t working correctly, it relaxes at the wrong moments, allowing regurgitation (backward food and liquid flow). This causes acid reflux and chronic acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD).

LINX is a ring of titanium beads, each with a magnetic core. This ring goes around your LES so that it opens and closes as it should. The LINX device opens to allow food and liquid to move into your stomach as you swallow. The magnets then draw the beads tight to keep the LES closed.

When might I need LINX?

You might need LINX if you have GERD and need help controlling your symptoms long-term. GERD can cause problems like:

Heartburn
Chest pain
Trouble swallowing
Lump in your throat
Bitter taste in the back of your mouth

The most common way to control GERD symptoms is to take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). But these medications require daily use and increase your risk of osteoporosis, kidney disease, dementia, heart attack, and other dangers. So many people with GERD want a safer and longer-lasting treatment approach like LINX.

What benefits does the LINX procedure provide?

The LINX procedure offers many advantages, including:

It’s minimally invasive
It’s an outpatient procedure
No physical alteration to your stomach is needed
You can return to regular activities in days

The most significant benefit is quality-of-life improvement in terms of GERD symptoms. LINX improves the quality of life of 100% of people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It allows more than 85% of them to stop taking their proton pump inhibitors (PPI).

The Institute of Esophageal and Reflux Surgery offers LINX because it’s a proven procedure with excellent long-term results for GERD sufferers. Call the office now or click the provided online scheduling link to learn more about the LINX procedure.