I’m just sharing info in case there are people who aren’t aware of this option. I know some people get very bad GERD after the sleeve that can’t be controlled by medications. I was told the only other option would be to convert to bypass (which is why I ended up choosing RNY). Turns out another option is out there.

I’m a nurse practitioner and went to a meeting last week that included dinner and an educational presentation. The presentation was done by both a GI doctor and bariatric surgeon. They were talking about the Lynx procedure. The simplest way I can explain it is to imagine a beaded bracelet that goes around the esophagus. It applies enough pressure to stop the regurg. Complication rates are low. The bariatric surgeon said he has had excellent results for his sleeve patients. He said right now the procedure is still off label for bariatric but the literature on it will be published later this year.

Just something to think about or to ask your physician about if you are having GERD issues. If your physician wants more info he can contact a LYNX rep or I can share the name of the surgeon who presented.

Did they mention insurance coverage for it if it is off label use of the medical device?

Yes but the bad thing, yes it can stop regurg but you never will be able to vomit again, if you accidently ingest something poisonous, you die . It is a 2-edged sword like many other things in life. A surgeon in my locale has been doing it for years, like the little girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead, When it's good it's very very good, When it's bad it's horrid.

2 hours ago, KCgirl061 said:

off label use of the medical device

The Lynx procedure is not an "off label" use. "Off label" means that you're using a medication/procedure/device for purposes other than they were originally developed. Not the case with LYNX. This ring of magnetic beads was specifically designed to close the lower esophageal sphincter in patients with an incompetent sphincter. Also, studies have shown that it is an effective method of treating GERD in patients who are not a candidate for the standard Nissen Fundoplication procedure 5-year study confirms long-term benefits of LYNX

I have mild GERD and I've been seeing a GI specialist mainly because I'm concerned about the long term effects of GERD and/or the long term use of PPI's. While my current medication regime and lifestyle adjustments seem to be keeping the condition well controlled, we have discussed more aggressive options like Lynx and STRETTA. Per my GI doctor, both procedures are being approved by insurance.

On 04/24/2019 at 08:10, S@ssen@ch said:

The Lynx procedure is not an "off label" use. "Off label" means that you're using a medication/procedure/device for purposes other than they were originally developed. Not the case with LYNX. This ring of magnetic beads was specifically designed to close the lower esophageal sphincter in patients with an incompetent sphincter. Also, studies have shown that it is an effective method of treating GERD in patients who are not a candidate for the standard Nissen Fundoplication procedure 5-year study confirms long-term benefits of LYNX

I have mild GERD and I've been seeing a GI specialist mainly because I'm concerned about the long term effects of GERD and/or the long term use of PPI's. While my current medication regime and lifestyle adjustments seem to be keeping the condition well controlled, we have discussed more aggressive options like Lynx and stretta. Per my GI doctor, both procedures are being approved by insurance.

I don’t need an education on what off label means. They were saying off label for bariatrics. But feel free to to discuss with the 2 docs who presented.

On 04/24/2019 at 05:23, KCgirl061 said:

Did they mention insurance coverage for it if it is off label use of the medical device?

I wish I could tell you about insurance coverage but they only spoke on Texas insurance plans. It is designed for GERD so I imagine more insurances will be covering it.

Sounds very experimental

My sleeve actually cured my GERD and acid reflux. Go figure!

48 minutes ago, GradyCat said:

My sleeve actually cured my GERD and acid reflux. Go figure!

One in a million