Twice now, in totally unrelated circles, I have heard WLS referred to as a "tummy tuck". To me, that term refers to plastic surgery and/or liposuction... Not WLS...

In one situation, I said I'd had "gastric surgery" (the details left for further conversation if the other person cares what exact surgery)..... And "oh did you get that tummy tuck procedure?"

I was like O_o "no, I mean I had surgery on my actual stomach, not my skin."

"Yeah, where they take out part?"

"Yes, a gastrectomy, that's what I had..."

Another circumstance was a waitress who asked me if my food wasn't good (I didn't eat much), and I started to say "it was fine" and my partner cut in with "she had a sleeve surgery, so she doesn't eat very much! She's lost a lot of weight!" (Um... Thx? He's just proud...) the waitress first said "wow is that even safe to do? My sister had a tummy tuck but nothing like that..." Well when I asked, the waitress described the "tummy tuck" and perfectly described a laparoscopic gastric surgery (I couldn't tell what kind exactly, but not a lap-band)

Is this a term for plication, where they "tuck" the stomach into itself? This translation is bugging me! LOL

I think those people are just ignorant to med terminology. Lol. In no way are those words interchangeable.