Hello everyone...

I am going to have plication surgery Feb 27th, 2013 in Mexico. I have heard and read up on the advantages and disadvantages of each. I leaned towards plication because of keeping your stomach intact and the fact your stomach secretes various hormones. You still get the "full feeling" because of the restriction. My wife had the sleeve done last March because she wanted the "Ghrelin Hormone Producer" removed along with having the restriction of the smaller stomach. She believes that having the stomach folded will eventually lead to blood flow problems or ischemia. I have talked to several surgeons and most agree it does depend on technique and individual genetic factors. Either one of them gives you the tool to help lose weight...but it is still up to you to eat right and exercise. (My wife has lost over 100 lbs and loves it!)

I do work as a Respiratory Therapist at a hospital and unfortunately most of the feedback I get is questions about Mexico or the need for the surgery itself. I have no illusions that it would be more convenient in the US but almost everyone I know that has had it done are self pay. Most insurances specifically do not cover any bariatric surgery. It is essentailly the same as an out-patient procedure at a clinic. If you do due diligence you can find foreign Drs that are competent to perform bariatric surgery. The need is evident because it is a reminder and tool to keep one at a healthy weight. Many health care professionals I know are at an unhealthy weight due to stress, emotional eating, late night eating and did I mention stress?!?

If anyone else would like to share their experiences with plication versus sleeve and if they would do anything different now, I would love to hear it!

Thanks and good luck to everyone!

Steve

I was plicated dec 3 and love it. I chose to have it done because I had a family member who had a very bad experience with the sleeve so for me it was the right choice. I can't tell you what my full experience will be 20 years from now, but at this point I am happy and grateful for having this done. Good luck with your choice!

Dear BOS123,

Thanks for your thoughts! The key is that we will be around in 20 years to be able to compare notes on where we are at on that "full" feeling. Thanks again!

Dear BOS123' date='

Thanks for your thoughts! The key is that we will be around in 20 years to be able to compare notes on where we are at on that "full" feeling. Thanks again![/quote']

Isint that the truth Steve! And I'm hoping to LivE life a little as opposed to hiding on the side lines lol!

The sleeve has been a lifesaver for me! I am thrilled with it. My diabetes is in remission and my a1C is normal. Also, I'm at a normal weight now and I'm actually very healthy. I think the plication is interesting but I would recommend the sleeve because there are more studies done and the ASMBS (American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery) has approved it as a viable weight loss option. The ASMBS has not approved plication. I know someone who went in for a plication and 5 days later had to be converted to the sleeve because her stomach tissue was dying due to the stomach blood vessels being affected. I wish everyone the best though whether they have plication or sleeve or any other surgery because we all just want to be healthy and happy.

Dear Misha,

Thanks so much for your thoughts. Even though the ASMBS has not approved it yet does not mean it is not viable. The ASMBS calls it an investigational procedure. The hospitals/clinics here in Phoenix and the ones I contacted in Los Angeles all categorize it as the same type of surgery. The ASMBS in their opinion comments,"...Specifically, the gastric plication does not involve gastric resection, intestinal bypass, or placement of a foreign body, and this could potentially provide a lower risk alternative that will appeal to patients and referring physicians. The operation involves mobilizing the greater curvature of the stomach similar to the dissection for a sleeve gastrectomy and infolding or imbricating the stomach to achieve gastric restriction." The ASMBS will make an official policy announcement when they have more data from American doctors. I did due diligence in my research and saw from the 10 year study of plications both from Iran and South America the low complication rate and percentage weight loss. Eventually when insurance companies get a billing code or number for the gastric plication, everyone will jump on board! Glad to hear of your success and ultimately everything is a tool to get to a healthier weight!

Thanks!

Steve

Steve how are you feeling? Are happy with your choice? Weight loss?

i was plicated Mar 4th and i have lost 24lbs already!! I feel full from a ridiculously small amount and for me this will work!! I know i still have to make wise food choices but at least I know I have help to keep it off!! Lets face it we all want a"donut"(insert fav fatty food) at some point but to be able to enjoy a 1/2 and feel full once in a while is amazing to me!! Plus I had a very easy recovery no nausea no vomiting but plenty of restriction!! its a winner and it is a "Sleeve" just a variation of one!!

Hi Tc44055 and dionysus69!

I am doing great. I am down to 296 lbs. I am down a shirt size and a pant's size. I am still very happy with my choice. I went to IHOP last night and had an omelette and ate only half of it! It was a weird sensation feeling full... I have a lot more energy than before. The only draw back is that my incisions have been slow to heal which unfortunately is my fault as I do too much lifting, pulling and stretching in my job! Congratulations on your so success so far dionysus69! I am so happy for you!

Hi Tc44055 and dionysus69!

I am doing great. I am down to 296 lbs. I am down a shirt size and a pant's size. I am still very happy with my choice. I went to IHOP last night and had an omelette and ate only half of it! It was a weird sensation feeling full... I have a lot more energy than before. The only draw back is that my incisions have been slow to heal which unfortunately is my fault as I do too much lifting' date=' pulling and stretching in my job! Congratulations on your so success so far dionysus69! I am so happy for you![/quote']

This is great to hear Steve! I am living this too! Somebody on the sleeve site asked about plication vrs sleeve the other day so I have my opinion and man did the dogs come out! I got roasted on there. Some good info on there but beware if anyone chooses to talk

Positive about plication lol!

thanks steve! Ok here is my new problem: I had t0o take the scale out of the bathroom as if it doesn't read what I think it should I get so depressed!! Anyone else feel that way? I have been an angel and thought I would see a 10-12lb loss and only saw 5! I know that any weight loss is great but still felt so dissapointed.... So now only at my doctors will I weigh in!!

Why were they hating on the plication so badly?

Hi Bos123!

Great hearing from you and thank you! Yes, I just tell people I have a sleeve because it is not worth it to get all worked up about it. The "sleevers" are more Catholic than the Pope and believe their way is the only "true" or "pure" way! There are several ways up to the mountaintop! I am super happy that everything is going well!

Hi Dionysus69!

Oh I hear you! The scale mocks me! I now just weigh in every Sunday! The only thing I know is that my body is changing because pants and shirts fit better and I get lots of people commenting on my weight. So even though the scale may not always show it, my smart eating choices are paying off! Yeaaaaaaaa! ;-p

Hi Tc44055!

Most hate plication because they feel you are not making the ultimate committment on weight loss surgery by not having your stomach cut and reduced in size. Some feel that plicators ultimately want to have the surgery reversed once they lose the weight. They also have been told that plicators are hungry all the time because the ghrelin hormone producer is not removed. They ignore the hormone argument and the safety argument of keeping your stomach intact... just folded in on itself..Many want to believe theirs was the "Best" and "Only" way. To each their own. My wife loves her sleeve and I love my plication...thus the reason I named this topic...Plication Versus Sleeve... 6 One Way, 1/2 Dozen The Other!

WoW... I never in a million years would ever have thought people felt that way.. I feel like I am making a huge commitment. actually the biggest commitiment of my life... one question. .the sleavers don't dont get hunger pains?