Hello All,

I was banded on 3-24 in Durham, NC by Dr. Portenier. Prior to surgery he told me about Gastric Plication and told me that I could have that done at the same time as the band. I opted to do it. Kinda like 2 WLS in one. Just wondering if anyone else did this?? If so what your experiences thus far have been?

I felt absolutely awful the first week after surgery. A lot of gas on my chest, shoulder pain, nauseous constantly and many, many esophageal spasms. The 7th day was much better and I have felt more normal. I'm not doing so great at sticking to the all liquid diet for 3 weeks. I have had some mushy Proteins. Like cottage cheese and refried Beans.

I'm still not taking in a lot of calories a day.... still staying hydrated like I'm supposed to, but the scales just aren't moving down. They did the first 5 days. But nothing after that.

I appreciate this forum and I love hearing the success stories!

Gingy

S&C,

I'd do it again in a heart beat! I'm 35 years old, no co-morbidities. My BMI was 40. I lost 10lbs prior to surgery just because. My doctor did not put me on any special pre-op diet. Since, I've lost 32 lbs. I have 48 to go. I do low carb, high protein as well. It works great for me. I don't feel like I'm starving myself... and I've never cared for the sweets much anyway.

From the beginning I've had great restriction. The plication is to credit for that. I've had one fill and have 4 cc's in my band. I get full quickly when I eat. I still eat 6 small meals a day.

My recovery time was about 2 weeks - then another month to get my energy back. I got tired easily. My husband only took 2 days off work for my surgery, so I was back being a full time mom right away. Driving and doing everything. Hindsight, probably not the best idea... but I didn't have a choice.

My weight loss is not super fast... nor do I want it to be. I want the process to be about learning how to eat right, exercise and not focus so much on food... like I used to. Slower weight loss has helped my skin not be saggy too. I'm very pleased with my results!!! I'd do it all again

Good luck to you!

Gingy

My band was too tight and I've formed a pouch above my band causing the worst acid reflux of my life. My doctor is going to take my band out but has given me the choice of putting another band in or trying Gastric Plication. I'm not sure which to go with.....any suggestions?

Thanks,

Brett

i don't feel i have enough info to answer. my doctor did say that he didn't expect the gastric plication to last very long. couple of years at the most. in other words, the sutures would come out and the stomach would go back to normal size. just one thing to think about.

good luck to you! i wish you the best

Gingy

day 7 was a big turning point for me as far as pain, spasms, cramps, gas and all. then i had a set back around day 10 or so. then day 14 was another turning point where i started feeling even better. on April 11 i started my menstrual cycle and then i felt bad again... felt like my insides were coming out. after about 24 hours of that, i felt better again. now i'm on soft foods and i feel much better. so i've had ups and downs... but day 7 was my biggest day of pain lessening and me feeling better.

Gingy, could you update us on your progress? I'm about to have both and was curious 3 months out how it's going.

Thanks.

sure! i've lost 45lbs. still just have 4cc's fluid in my band. i went last week for a checkup and we decided not to do any fills right now because i have great restriction. i eat about 3/4 cup to 1 cup of food twice a day - then 3 to 4 smaller snacks throughout the day. like a cheese stick, some veggies, beef jerky or fruit. but that's a very small portion when i have a snack.

i still do the low carb, high protein diet. i really only get hungry about 11pm at night. i think that's because that's when i go the longest without food.... from 6 - 11pm.

i feel great - have energy and exercise. i'd do it all again in a heartbeat.

thanks,

gingy

You are not alone, I had this procedure done today and I love it.

I'm doing a lot better now. Day 7 was the turn around day for me.... where I started feeling better. Don't do anything you're not comfortable with. After I read about plication, I felt for sure about having it done. Now I feel all alone though. There are many with the band... and a lot have gone down to Mexico to have the plication... but I have yet to find anybody who have BOTH lap band with gastric plication. So I feel lonely It would be nice to have another to talk to who knows what I'm going through.

Good luck to you! Message me anytime!

Gingy

Hello All,

I was banded on 3-24 in Durham, NC by Dr. Portenier. Prior to surgery he told me about Gastric Plication and told me that I could have that done at the same time as the band. I opted to do it. Kinda like 2 WLS in one. Just wondering if anyone else did this?? If so what your experiences thus far have been?

I felt absolutely awful the first week after surgery. A lot of gas on my chest, shoulder pain, nauseous constantly and many, many esophageal spasms. The 7th day was much better and I have felt more normal. I'm not doing so great at sticking to the all liquid diet for 3 weeks. I have had some mushy proteins. Like cottage cheese and refried beans.

I'm still not taking in a lot of calories a day.... still staying hydrated like I'm supposed to, but the scales just aren't moving down. They did the first 5 days. But nothing after that.

I appreciate this forum and I love hearing the success stories!

Gingy

Gingy... how are you now? I have surgery scheduled with Dr. Portenier on October 31 and will have to band plus plication. Would love to hear more about your progress.

I have mine tomorrow.

Good luck to you. I am so happy with my plication along with the band.

HELLO,

I have a leak in my band , my dr gave me an option to get the plication(dr calls it Ilap) While he is replacing my band. I will be his 4th patient he has done this on. I get excited and nervous at the same time the only thing im really worried about is "are the stitchings going to hold up" if they dont that will result in death and im young with three kids. Maybe I shouldnt think like that but it is in my head. I appreciate the info above-I have my pre op tomorrow and surgery FrIday the 21st. I would love to keep in touch with everyone to check progress and goals along the way. please message me your email addresses. Good Luck with everyone

HELLO,

I have a leak in my band , my dr gave me an option to get the plication(dr calls it Ilap) While he is replacing my band. I will be his 4th patient he has done this on. I get excited and nervous at the same time the only thing im really worried about is "are the stitchings going to hold up" if they dont that will result in death and im young with three kids. Maybe I shouldnt think like that but it is in my head. I appreciate the info above-I have my pre op tomorrow and surgery FrIday the 21st. I would love to keep in touch with everyone to check progress and goals along the way. please message me your email addresses. Good Luck with everyone

The beauty of the plication is that if the stitches don't last, they dissolve and the stomach pops out to its regular size. In fact, one of the risks/warnings is that the stitches sometimes last 2-3 yrs and then the stomach resumes it's usual shape under the lapband. but 2-3 yrs should be enough time to lose our excess weight.

Update, since my surgery on 28June:

I have been unemployed, traveling for job interviews, visiting a friend who has cancer for two weeks, driving from one coast to another for a job, living without ability to cook for myself..... so life has been more hectic than usual, and a little stressful. I have not always been able to follow my home diet. After three months, I'm at 30 lbs lost. BUT will all that, I'm not gaining. AND even those 30 lbs have made a huge difference, I have more energy, I am able to move more easily... and I brought my total home gym cross country with me (as soon as I get a place where I can set it up to use).

I can maintain my current weight by eating as I am.. but that's not good enough. I am boosting my Protein and limiting my carbs more strictly now in order to see the scale go down again. BUT no matter what I do, if I don't add exercise, I am not going to move the numbers down very much. Getting up and moving is the real magic secret. And let me tell ya, the more I move and lose, the easier it gets. I can walk more and longer now than I have in years... and I'm just getting started.

Janet

To all you experienced advance members-------

HELP--PLEASE!

I am six (6) days post-op. I am having alot of discomfort, not pain by definition cause I don't 'need' to take pain meds. I still have alot of gas discomfort and the incisions do not hurt but where I imagine my stomach was folded, hurts. I am taking small sips (I just want some Creme of Wheat) and have had no feelings of throwing up. I would really love to have a "Elf"-style belch, but cannot produce even a small burp. I do have small "back-end explosions" but it is only momentary in the relief. GasX does not help.

I cannot stomach the protien drinks, chicken/beef broth, Jello, etc. anymore. I drink water--that's all I can stomach. But I am hungry. Please help!!!!

I need to know if this will subside and is this normal recovery for an I-Band?

HELP PLEASE!!!!!

Cheri,

I'm so sorry no one has responded sooner.. If you are still having these problems, please call your surgeon and let them know what is happening. While many of us experienced more discomfort through day 7-10, you may or may not be experiencing something different or more serious. Also please let them know that you are unable to tolerate anything but Water - you need some type of intake to prevent a potentially serious inbalance of your blood chemistry.

The hunger at that point is normal and will improve, but your body is telling you that it needs more than water... you need some type of Protein etc and your surgeon can help you find something you can tolerate.

Please let us know how you are doing through this process.

Janet

Im having this procedure done on wed12/21 from what i read im kinda freaking out with all the pain.

Hello All

I had the lap band with plication surgery on August 11, 2011. I have not had any problems at all. I am losing weight quickly. I am down 71 pounds and weighing in at 182 now. I feel fantastic and I am extremely active. Of course the first week after surgery was a little uncomfortable, but I expected that. I feel better than I have ever felt in my entire life and again have had no sickness or problems at all.

I guess everyone is different but so far I wouldnt change a thing. I would do this surgery all over a gain!