Hi VSG family!!!

I thought that I would post a thread for all members that had or is considering the TGVP procedure. I thought it would be a great idea for us to share our thoughts and experiences. I know of only one person so far. If you all know of any others please tell them to respond. Thanks VSG family!! :scared0:

Hi sleeve Genie,

How are you? I was wondering if you could give me a update??

Hi Sara, I think there is a band to sleeve thread or band to plication. From what I gathered, you can get it removed and sleeved in the same operation.

cool, thanks for the 411 I could swear ive heard talk of it being done thru the mouth with no insisions but i haven't seen anything about it. I also heard they can do it vaginally as well. its truly amazing what they can do. Congratulations to you on your surgery and success. Yes I'm sure that the post op is the same basically, its still a sleeve and my post op diet was the same as yours, my doctor was fairly lenient with us compared to some post op diets i've heard of, ) jeani

three months post op 50lbs gone forever, halfway to goal yahoo!!

Jeanie, I think you're thinking about the POSE procedure. They do go down the mouth. I've heard about it being done vaginally, as well. No thank you.

Do you think over time the stomach will stretch or the stiches will come out??

Lisa

The simple answer is that, yes, the plication may stretch over time. The stitches (assuming the proper sutures are used) should hold forever (and beyond).

The good news is that the majority of patients who have weight loss operations reach their goal weight and do not regain in the long-term.

All stomach operations that have ever been developed to assist with weight loss can experience dilation ("stretching"). For gastric bypass, the connection between the small stomach pouch and the small intestine can dilate. For gastric band surgery, the small pouch above the band can dilate. The nice thing about plication is that if a patient has dilation years down the road, you can simply place additional sutures - that would be a simple, short laparoscopic surgery. Also, since the stomach is still there, you could have any other weight loss operation, no bridges have been burned.

The best ways to prevent dilation (stretching) in any weight loss operation is to avoid carbonated beverages. There is so much pressure in carbonated beverages, it's like putting an air compressor in your stomach. (Have you ever opened a dropped can of Diet Coke? watch out!) Also, you want to avoid the chronic habit of eating to the point of regurgitation. Over the long-term, this can and does dilate any weight loss operation.

I saw a report where a surgeon used Prolene suture for a plication and it came apart so I think that this suture should not be used for plication for sure.

Certainly, proper surgical technique is important to the success of any operation and far too often "cheap surgery" does not equate to proper surgical technique.

Brad Watkins MD

I also wanted to know if the stitches would come out or the stomach would stretch. Is it possible to pop your stitches by overeating? Does this surgery have a risk of leaks? My other question is I'm nursing my 2 year old and I believe strongly in child-led-weaning. Will I be able to continue to nurse him after the surgery? Will he take away too many calories? I've heard that toxins are stored in your fat cells, if he is nursing when I am losing weight will he consume these toxins?

Plication should have an incredibly low risk for leaks (near zero) since you aren't cutting or stapling anything. The thing about human medicine is that nothing is ever 0% or 100%. There is always a low risk for everything. A rare possibility is that if stomach stitches are placed in an area of chronic inflammation such as the case in patients with previous gastric surgery, there is a small risk the stitches could pull through and create a leak. I have never seen this when stitches are placed on healthy gastric tissue that has never seen surgery before.

Regarding nursing a baby after surgery, typically, the main concern is that if you are taking pain medications, the narcotic will be in your breast milk in small concentrations that could affect your baby. Best to consult with your OB physician as they are the experts on breast feeding after surgery.

Brad Watkins MD

The simple answer is that, yes, the plication may stretch over time. The stitches (assuming the proper sutures are used) should hold forever (and beyond).

The good news is that the majority of patients who have weight loss operations reach their goal weight and do not regain in the long-term.

All stomach operations that have ever been developed to assist with weight loss can experience dilation ("stretching"). For gastric bypass, the connection between the small stomach pouch and the small intestine can dilate. For gastric band surgery, the small pouch above the band can dilate. The nice thing about plication is that if a patient has dilation years down the road, you can simply place additional sutures - that would be a simple, short laparoscopic surgery. Also, since the stomach is still there, you could have any other weight loss operation, no bridges have been burned.

The best ways to prevent dilation (stretching) in any weight loss operation is to avoid carbonated beverages. There is so much pressure in carbonated beverages, it's like putting an air compressor in your stomach. (Have you ever opened a dropped can of Diet Coke? watch out!) Also, you want to avoid the chronic habit of eating to the point of regurgitation. Over the long-term, this can and does dilate any weight loss operation.

I saw a report where a surgeon used Prolene suture for a plication and it came apart so I think that this suture should not be used for plication for sure.

Certainly, proper surgical technique is important to the success of any operation and far too often "cheap surgery" does not equate to proper surgical technique.

Brad Watkins MD

Thank you, for answering me. I also have been reading that our stomach that is stitched up is like soft melon and that eventually the stomach will start coming out of the stitches, they say it's like cutting through it.

Do you have any insite on this??

Thanks again,

Lisa~

Thank you, for answering me. I also have been reading that our stomach that is stitched up is like soft melon and that eventually the stomach will start coming out of the stitches, they say it's like cutting through it.

Do you have any insite on this??

Thanks again,

Lisa~

Normal gastric tissue is actually very strong stuff and takes stitches well. We have been using the exact same stitches in the exact same way for other gastric surgeries for years and I can tell you that these stitches, when properly placed, can last forever. I don't worry about "stitches coming loose". I do think that a small percentage of plication cases will have dilation (stretching) over time that may require more stitches to cinch it back up or another operation at the patient's choice.

Brad Watkins MD

Hi,

How long did you wait after the Band removal to do the Sleeve procedure ? What was the medical advice you were given about the length of time to wait for the healing to be done ? Or can they do it at the same time ? I plan on having my lapband removed soon. Any suggestions ?

Saraslimmerin2011

We have removed bands and done plication at the same operation with no problem. I do not think that you have to do them as a separate operation or to wait. I think they can be done at the same operation with no problem.

Brad Watkins MD

I have my sleeve already but i'm very interested in this. Is this done by going down the throat? or is this done laparascopically? or both.? i saw a surgery on youtube but it was a band revision so they had to take the band out first. Couldn't find one that wasn't a band revision. Thanks in advance if someone can answer this for me, jeani

Gastric plication is done laparoscopically (tiny incisions in the abdomen).

POSE (Primary Obesity Surgery Endoscopic) is done by passing a scope down the esophagus (swallowing tube) and placing anchors in the stomach lining. Currently, POSE is a new technology and has not acheived reliable success yet. USGI (POSE company) has a lot of great people working for them and they continue to make positive changes and it may become an ideal solution in the future as they continue to enhance the technology.

Brad Watkins MD

Hello I had my GPS wed the 21st in TJ by Dr Rodriquez and I think a panel of DRs. The 2nd day was my worst day I slept most of the day , I have been on the go since 3rd day post op, nobody can believe I just had major surgery. i allready have so much more energy and feel great My clothes are getting loose im down 20 LBS from pre diet and post diet.

My experience in TJ was awesome, My DRS and Nurses treated me very well I have nothing but good to say. Dr Rodriques saw me going to get my post op X ray and gave me a big hug , 2 Drs came to my motel at 10:30pm day 2 post op just to check on me and make sure I was taking my meds, they thanked me for trusting them. My anisthiesioloigist held my hand pre surgery she could tell I was nervous, All the belight staff (Patient facilitators)were great, My personal one that I had first contact with was very sweet and helpful, a little absent minded, but all the others I had contact with were awesome and very knowledgble.the hospital INT was modest but sufficient. My driver Roberto was a kick kept life interesting almost feel like he is a bud................... so my experience gets a 9 3/4 out of 10

Hi there, I am going to get the Plication and was wondering if you can give me an update on your weight and how you are doing?

Thank you,

Lisa~

can you advise which dr rodriquez, andhow you are doing now?

i had my band removed after 5 years and had the sleeve plication done by dr. Jose rodriguez in tijuana, mexico. He also has an office in juarez as well. I am maybe 10 lbs from my goal weight of 125 lbs. It has been slow going but am very happy with my decision. I have become very picky about what i put in my mouth. I have to really love it to put it in my mouth. I can take a few big gulps of liquid with no problems.

Jo

sleeve pication revision

dr. Jose rodriguez

tijuana mexico

can you give us a update please

thanks!

Lisa~

Can any one tell me how to get my own ticker I went to the ticker web site I just cant figure out how to get it to here???

Lisa~

The simple answer is that, yes, the plication may stretch over time. The stitches (assuming the proper sutures are used) should hold forever (and beyond).

The good news is that the majority of patients who have weight loss operations reach their goal weight and do not regain in the long-term.

All stomach operations that have ever been developed to assist with weight loss can experience dilation ("stretching"). For gastric bypass, the connection between the small stomach pouch and the small intestine can dilate. For gastric band surgery, the small pouch above the band can dilate. The nice thing about plication is that if a patient has dilation years down the road, you can simply place additional sutures - that would be a simple, short laparoscopic surgery. Also, since the stomach is still there, you could have any other weight loss operation, no bridges have been burned.

The best ways to prevent dilation (stretching) in any weight loss operation is to avoid carbonated beverages. There is so much pressure in carbonated beverages, it's like putting an air compressor in your stomach. (Have you ever opened a dropped can of Diet Coke? watch out!) Also, you want to avoid the chronic habit of eating to the point of regurgitation. Over the long-term, this can and does dilate any weight loss operation.

I saw a report where a surgeon used Prolene suture for a plication and it came apart so I think that this suture should not be used for plication for sure.

Certainly, proper surgical technique is important to the success of any operation and far too often "cheap surgery" does not equate to proper surgical technique.

Brad Watkins MD

Dr Watkins,

I am in a delima, I have been planning on getting the Plication surgery but have been reading that it is for lower BMI patients that have around 50 or so pounds to loose. I have about 85lbs to loose and im not sure if I should get the VSG or Plication. I would love to have the safer surgery but I also want to loose all my weight, can I have a professional opinion please.

Thank you very much

Lisa~

Hi Everyone:

Official 1 month post plication weigh in results are...."drum roll please..." 20 lbs 6 ozs!!! This week I was down 4 lbs 6 ozs. It hasn't been the easiest as I've been sick for 3 weeks with kidney stones, and kidney infection this past week resulting in 2 hospital stays, but I think I am finally over that hurdle! (Nothing at all to do with my surgery!) I am now feeling really good, and eating & drinking normally. I am able to comfortably eat about 3/4 cup of food. I still want to drink with my meals, but that is an old habit I am trying to resist.

To all of you researching the gastric sleeve plication procedure...don't hesitate for a minute! I am thrilled so far with my results. What other procedure can you say that you can eat pretty much anything you desire, as long as you stop when you feel full? You are healed in less than a month, and the results speak for themselves. No other diet in the world can help you shed 5 lbs per week without starving yourself. We are NOT starving, and we eat when we feel hungry.

Looking forward to everyones results this week....Let's go girls!!!

Penny

Hi penny,

Congrats on your weight loss!! thats really good.. I was wondering I have been hearing alot about kidney stones and it hurts, How do they get them out of you or how do you get better?? This might be a stupid question but I really dont know to much about this.

My Dr said that I have small kidney stones and she said that if they are not bothering you then we wont do anything about them, but im worried that once I get my surgery they might get bothersome, do you think I need to worry?

Thanks,Lisa