Thoughts about plication?

[fischer 6]

My surgery date is just around the corner! (July 3rd) I'm extremely excited, it seems like I've been waiting forever! At my pre-op appointment my doctor asked if I would like to take part in a study regarding the lap band WITH plication. At the time, I had never heard of such thing. Essentially, it's when your doctor, along with the lap band, also folds your stomach in half and adds a few stitches to keep it that way. From what I've been reading, it's really effective in keeping the band from slipping as well as helps the weight come off even faster. From what I understand, it's sort of like the equivalent to a gastric bypass without the cutting. But I could be mistaken! Has anyone had any experience with plication or know someone who has?! Please let me know!

[mrsto 2,925]

I had plication done with my lap band on 3/25/13. I can't really say what the difference is over the lap band alone, because I have no reference point. But I WILL say that I've been very happy with my weight loss so far, and do feel that the smaller stomach capacity is a secondary form of restriction. There have been times when I ate past the point of being satisfied, but got full a lot faster than (what I think) is normal.

The plication doesn't mimic the bypass; it's like the sleeve, without removing 3/4 of your stomach and then stapling.

[shaneman2878 19]

Hi! I had band with plicaton in November 2012. Like others, I don't know the physical comparison from band alone versus plication, but to give you my experience... I started at 325lbs in November and my official weigh-in from Thursday was 265. So, 60lbs in 7 months. Right after surgery and after my initial recovery period, I could feel the plication restriction when my band was loose. I've had 3 fills now, and I'm feeling, what I think, is band restriction now. When I do my band fills, my doctor uses fluoro, which shows the position of the band. When I drink barium, you can see the band restriction, and then after passing the band, you can see the plication as is slips right through. My doctor says its does have the equivalent of bypass results at the end. With the band, my estimated loss from my doctor is approximately 75lbs. With the plication, he estimated 130lbs. Now, it doesn't come off as quick as the bypass, but the results are equivalent. We are placing my 130lb weightloss goal between 1-3 years. Hope that gives some perspective. Best wishes to you!

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,722]

not much else i can add to msinto and shane and what they said as they said it all

it does work...def helps me feel full quicker along with the band but my dr stressed that unless i did my part, better food choices/exercising/life style change, it wouldnt work...so far so good for me

i attached my xray of my band and plication during a barium swallow

in the middle, a swatch is the band itself

the small circle on the right is my plication

[fischer 6]

Thank you guys for replying! I am happy to hear that all of you are successful thus far with your plication! I'm excited to go through with it, but the thought of having your stomach folded seems a bit odd so I just wanted to see what others thought!

And thank you Carolina girl for the X-ray!