So, I am 33 years old and I have been plicated for about a month. I have noticed some differences in my clothing so far.

The story: Well to be honest, I was an athlete growing up playing American football at the Semi pro level up till I was 23. I have been heavy but mostly muscle and then at the age of 24, I had a car accident which messed up my back something fierce. Almost overnight, I went from running everyday to not being able to be on my feet for 10 minutes without severe pain. I ballooned. After a job change and 2 years, I made my first attempt to get surgery. Well, my doctor a Japanese man from St. Vincent's in New Haven, CT told me that I wasnt mature enough for a lap band surgery, which seemed extremely crazy. I tried to argue with the man but to no avail.

My company(which was a health insurance firm) was bought out and their policy towards weight loss surgeries changed. read, no more surgeries will be paid for...

Fast forward to 2010, I was perusing one of these forums and I saw an ad for the sleeve plication. And I went for it. On March 14th, 2011 I got it done. Ok, the guy at the Doctor in Mexico kept trying to convince me to get the regular sleeve not the plication, treating me like some sort of idiot. I almost cracked him in the grill. I told him that I spent months, nay, years thinking about what i wanted and went with the plication anyway.

I have never been a huge fan or weighing myself but I figure that i will hit the gym hard in about a week and really get some results

Sorry to hear about all your problems. Congrats on your surgery though!

The doctor did a favor (in my opinion)...I had the LapBand and it was hell. Here I am (3 surgeries later) with the sleeve and I am very happy with it. I hope the plication works well for you. Good Luck and Congrats!

The doc that refused the lap bound was a blessing in disguise. Can I ask your reasons for plication over sleeve?

The sleeve as opposed to the plication was never really an option. I was told that the plication gets the same results of the old gariatric one, where they remove your whole stomach. Then i read that with the plication vs. the other surgeries, your stomach absorbs all of the nutrients you need so you dont have to buy extra Vitamins and stuff.

The lap band became untenable because of where I live. Although I live in a metropolis of about 20 million people, finding a doctor to do the refills would have been extremely difficult or expensive or both.

In the month since the surgery, i have dropped from xxxl to xxl in shirt sizes and from 50 inch waist to a 45. whatever that means. I knew the surgeon would prefer to do the cutting because the surgery is faster and there was a line literally out the door of the clinic.

At 25, I think the band may have worked for me because I was at the size and age where I just needed a little help. But now the band would have been a waste of money.

The sleeve as opposed to the plication was never really an option. I was told that the plication gets the same results of the old gariatric one, where they remove your whole stomach. Then i read that with the plication vs. the other surgeries, your stomach absorbs all of the nutrients you need so you dont have to buy extra Vitamins and stuff.

The lap band became untenable because of where I live. Although I live in a metropolis of about 20 million people, finding a doctor to do the refills would have been extremely difficult or expensive or both.

In the month since the surgery, i have dropped from xxxl to xxl in shirt sizes and from 50 inch waist to a 45. whatever that means. I knew the surgeon would prefer to do the cutting because the surgery is faster and there was a line literally out the door of the clinic.

At 25, I think the band may have worked for me because I was at the size and age where I just needed a little help. But now the band would have been a waste of money.

I don't understand- do you mean that with the plication your stomach still absorbs nutrients even though it is folded and stitched? I did not know that. My doctor does not plan to do plication because of that unused portion of the stomach.

Most of us on this part of the board have had or will have the sleeve- so forgive my ignorance! There is actually a plication section where you will find other plication people who might better get it!

Congratulations on this journey!

Congrats!! I can relate to the weight gain after having back problems. Sounds like you're doing great now!

I have never been a huge fan or weighing myself but I figure that i will hit the gym hard in about a week and really get some results

Hi Edwin, congrats on your surgery and hope you see great results!! I had spinal cord surgery last year (Feb 2010) and the weight really packed on. Like you, I was extremely active (I was a soldier) and went to not being able to walk without a walker; now a cane as needed. I can't wait to shed some of this weight and lift the pressure on my weakend back. Keep us updated on your journey!!

Stay positive

Congratz!!!! Sounds like you are doing great and very happy with your decision. Good luck on your journey.

Deb