My plication was 6 days ago I wanted to share my experience

[JoanieW 13]

I got my plication done on the 17th by dr cottam in salt lake. I feel really good today. I am so excited that the surgery is done and I feel like I am on the mend. I have not been hungry at all and the heart burn that I have had everyday of my life up until surgery is gone. I don't know what everyone elses experiece has been, but so far I am so impressed with this surgery. I am now just anxious to figure out the food stuff. I can't tell when I am full or when I am hungry yet, but I think alot of that stuff will come with time, I am just excited that I was able to get it done.

Hi Kamie. Congratulations on your surgery! Glad you are doing so well.

[JoanieW 13]

Hello,

Happy to hear your results are positive so far. Please keep me posted. I am in the process of having my Lapband removed. See how it goes. See how it heals. See how I feel.

Then, I am seriously considering the Sleeve Plication.

Bless you and keep letting me know your progress.

Saraslimmerin2011ihope.

Hi Sara. Why are you doing these as two separate procedures? Can't they both be done at the same time?

[JoanieW 13]

I know that the ghrelin removal is one of the bigger selling points to sleeving. I'm really curious to see, long term, what the difference is in hunger between plication and regular sleeves.

Hi Doug. I had my plication on Aug. 6 and feel no hunger, just hunger pangs but no real appetite.

[lguidry 5]

Hi Kamie. Congratulations on your surgery! Glad you are doing so well.

I'm just learning the lingo and quite frankly, it's a little confusing. Ok Kamie you had the GVS surgery, correct? Is this plication (super sleeve)? Or a different procedure?? I was trying to decide sleeve versus plication?? Now there is Total Gastric Vertical Plication Sleeve, Super Sleeve, etc... :thumbup: Which one did you have?

[lguidry 5]

Has anyone heard of the OCC (Obesity Control Center) in TJ with Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez? From what I've read they have been on Ophra, Dr. Doctor's etc. and are esteemed in the industry. Their facility is state of the art meeting/exceeding US standards, cerifications etc... I've noticed that everyone here is or has used Dr. Corvola, Dr. Rodriquez and Dr. Watkins. Any feedback is appreciated both the Dr's and GVS, Super Sleeve, plication, etc..:confused1: Thanks!!

[Cknorte 7]

I'm just learning the lingo and quite frankly, it's a little confusing. Ok Kamie you had the GVS surgery, correct? Is this plication (super sleeve)? Or a different procedure?? I was trying to decide sleeve versus plication?? Now there is Total Gastric Vertical Plication Sleeve, Super Sleeve, etc... :confused1: Which one did you have?

I think the lingo is confusing. Dr. Watkins posted on this a while back...here's his post. (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery (VSG) Forum)

Indeed all the names mentioned are in essence the same procedure. Since this procedure is not associated with a manufacturing company like the gastric band, different surgeons are applying different names to it and that is confusing indeed.

Regardless of what surgeons call it, the thing to make sure is that the stomach is being imbricated (folded in on itself in multiple layers) and then stitched (sutured, plicated) so that the end result is a smaller stomach capacity. I think adding the superlative, "super", to it is confusing and seems to imply that the resulting sleeve is really small. Even with stapled sleeve gastrectomy (a different procedure), there is no agreement as to the size of bougie (sizing tube) used to calibrate the volume of the sleeve. The cool thing is that patients lose weight really well across a wide range of bougie sizes. Like all other weight loss operations, they work best when patients are making good food choices (not eating ice cream everyday, etc) and are burning calories (walking, etc) since all weight loss comes from caloric deficit (burning more than consuming).

To my knowledge, in addition to our Cincinnati and Chicago clinics, plication procedures are offered in Salt Lake City (Dr. Cottam) and Tampa, Florida (I don't know the name). Dr. Ponce in Atlanta has contacted me and is interested in doing the procedure. When I spoke with him last he was planning on offering this but wasn't offering it to the public yet.

Cleveland clinic was part of a clinical trial but the trial is closed and I don't know if they offer it outside the trial.

Several weeks ago, I flew to Salt Lake City to watch Dr. Cottam do a plication procedure and we had great discussions comparing our experience with plication procedures. We have developed a clinical advisory board so that we may pool our experience in a single database and have an outside (non-biased) surgeon review our results and make sure these procedures have the same oversight as a formal clinical trial. This kind of oversight is common to new devices and sponsored by industry, however, plication has no device and therefore no industry involvement so Dr. Cottam and I are footing the bill for this. To my knowledge, no other surgeon has ever created an advisory board for a new procedure like this before. Suffice it to say, Dr. Cottam and I are extremely interested in doing this properly and learning from each other.

I don't see that we are going to see any major surprises with the procedure over the years. The main thing I imagine is that, like all other weight loss operations, the plication might dilate to the point that it is not as effective of a weight loss tool. If this happens, one could place more stitches, band the sleeve or any other weight loss operation since the stomach is still there and no bridges have been burned. The best way to prevent dilation is to not drink carbonated beverages and not eat to the point of regurgitation every day for months. Dilations are chronic, they do not happen after a single event.

I hope this adds some clarity to a new procedure. I like the plication a lot and I think it will be a really big deal as more people learn about it. I also imagine that it will someday be covered by insurance but that might be ten years away because they like to see lots of data.

Brad Watkins, MD

Edited August 29, 2010 by Cknorte

[kamiethompson 0]

I am two weeks out today. I feel really good and I have lost a total of 32 pounds including my week preop. I was able to eat 2 oz of salmon today and it felt really good and I was very full after I ate. I miss bread and chocolate but I know that down the road I will be able to add a little back in. I can't believe it has only been two weeks it seems like I am further out. I would have this surgery again in a heart beat.

[JoanieW 13]

I am two weeks out today. I feel really good and I have lost a total of 32 pounds including my week preop. I was able to eat 2 oz of salmon today and it felt really good and I was very full after I ate. I miss bread and chocolate but I know that down the road I will be able to add a little back in. I can't believe it has only been two weeks it seems like I am further out. I would have this surgery again in a heart beat.

Wow! Kamie that amount of weight loss in three weeks is incredible. Keep up the good work!

[MS LISA 1]

I got my plication done on the 17th by dr cottam in salt lake. I feel really good today. I am so excited that the surgery is done and I feel like I am on the mend. I have not been hungry at all and the heart burn that I have had everyday of my life up until surgery is gone. I don't know what everyone elses experiece has been, but so far I am so impressed with this surgery. I am now just anxious to figure out the food stuff. I can't tell when I am full or when I am hungry yet, but I think alot of that stuff will come with time, I am just excited that I was able to get it done.

Hi Kamie, I was wondering if you can give me a update on your weight loss?

Also, when was your surgery? It just sais the 17th?

Thank,Lisa

[kamiethompson 0]

Hi Kamie, I was wondering if you can give me a update on your weight loss?

Also, when was your surgery? It just sais the 17th?

Thank,Lisa

sorry I have been so slow to reply. I am ten weeks out today and I have lost a total of fifty two so far, I feel great and my energy level is way up.

[justjen 0]

Ms Lisa, are u still headed there this month? yes. it's tough, not easy, but we all knew that! It is a constant battle, does it get easier? yes and no. it will always be tough. Stay strong! Know what you want and keep headed that direction. I'm glad i did what i did but I guess I wanted it to be easier! This is a battle we have to fight every day! DON'T GIVE UP!!! Keep us informed! Jen