The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
LINX® reflux surgery
SURGERY FOR ACID REFLUX
A recent procedure that has been performed over 4,000 times worldwide with encouraging results to stop acid reflux symptoms
What is LINX surgery?
LINX® is a type of keyhole surgery that involves putting a small, flexible band of interlinked titanium beads with magnetic cores around your food pipe (oesophagus) just above the stomach.
This is to mimic the valve at the bottom of your food pipe that creates a barrier to the reflux of acid or bile.
Need to know
The procedure is performed laparoscopically, meaning as keyhole surgery. Once your consultant has put the LINX system in place swallowing forces temporarily break the magnetic bond to allow food and drink to pass normally through your lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS). The magnets then close the LOS immediately after swallowing to restore your body’s natural barrier to the reflux of acid and bile.
Your consultant will let you know how best to prepare for this procedure.
You will be given painkillers to alleviate any pain you are experiencing after the procedure. LINX reflux surgery is less invasive than fundoplication (another surgical procedure to treat reflux). You should be able to return home on the same day as surgery.
The LINX system starts to work as soon as it is in place. You should be able to resume a normal diet within a few hours and can usually return to normal activities in less than a week.
Mild dysphagia (discomfort when swallowing) occurs in less than 50 per cent of patients after the procedure. This is generally resolved within three months without treatment.
Our LINX® reflux surgery locations
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.