How Long Does The LINX System Last?
If you struggle with acid reflux, you may have tried any number of different treatment methods; we’re talking diets, wedge pillows, ginger tea, and PPI after PPI. For some people, nothing seems to work. At this point, it may be time to consider a physical procedure that addresses the problem directly. LINX surgery is one of our minimally-invasive procedures that can help you get your GERD under control!
The LINX System: A Fad, Or Forever?
One of the most common questions we get about this procedure, however, is how long does the LINX system last? This is something we address all the time:
Although they’re still testing the long-term durability of the technology, the LINX Reflux Management System is built to last a lifetime. LINX is composed of titanium beads and strong magnets, held together by titanium wires, so they’re in it for the long haul.
How Does the LINX System Work?
The LINX system is one of the latest, most revolutionary strides we’ve made in anti-reflux technology. Inserted near the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), LINX is comprised of a small chain of magnetic beads. This small ring of beads is inserted through a laparoscopic incision and secured around the outside of the LES.
The magnetic properties of the beads keep the band tight around the LES until food needs to pass through during normal digestion. As food passes through the LES, the beads stretch apart, then magnetize closed again.
When food isn’t intentionally moving through the LES, the beads keep stomach contents from splashing up into the esophagus— thereby reducing and even eliminating GERD symptoms.
How Successful Is the LINX System?
So does my LINX system need to be replaced ever? Nope! Not only is the LINX system extremely effective (one study showed that 89% of patients were able to go off anti-reflux medications) and easily recovered from, but the beads of the LINX system are also coated in surgical-grade titanium, allowing it to withstand many years of use internally. This means your treatment will start working quickly, and will last you a long, long time.
LINX Procedure in Tampa Bay
If you’ve tried almost everything in book to fight your reflux, a LINX implant might be the solution for you. Learn more about the LINX procedure or our other reflux surgeries by reaching out to our team here at the Tampa Bay Reflux Center.