Looking for Plication revision to Sleeve

[lguidry 5]

Had my plication 10/2010 and have regained my weight plus some:(

I originally chose this surgery because it was less invasive & reversible.

Now that I want to revise to Sleeve, I'm being told a couple of things:

1. The revision would require the undoing/removing of the sutures first, then doing the sleeve. That I might not be a candidate for a sleeve because of the previous plication (potential scarring & condition of stomach tissue from the sutures). But that he wouldn't know until he was in there? So I guess it really is not reversible?

2. The plication would remain in tact. The sleeve would be created/done from the inside of the suture line of the plication, then the plication & excess stomach would be removed. Two very different approaches. One removes the plication all together after creating the sleeve and the other removes the sutures before creating the sleeve.

I do not know which procedure is best but it does seem like if the condition of my stomach tissue and the potential for scar tissue as a result of the previous plication is the concern, then the second option would address this concern by removing it all together?

I currently weigh 250 lbs.

Edited December 7, 2015 by lguidry

[liannatx 897]

I have no idea how plication scar tissue distributes. I know I had so much from my band and port, over a 9 year span, that my records say that the doctor literally "excavated through scar tissue and adhesions" to locate my port, and he told me he "gouged a trough through the scar tissue" on my stomach wall in prep for my sleeve surgery. He removed what he needed to do the revision, and 9 months later I am still happy and healthy. If I could do any surgery once... it would be the sleeve.

Is this is any help?

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I know nothing about plication but I did band removal 3 months prior to sleeve. After 10 years of lapband hell, I had alot of scar tissue. My removal surgery was longer than the sleeve because they did the scar tissue removal then.

The idea was that a period of healing increased the chance they could do a proper sleeve. Sometimes they can't do a normal size/shape sleeve due to scar tissue but in my case they could and I believe it helped me succeed. I am half my former size....and maintaining. My revision was 2011.

[lguidry 5]

Thanks for the responses. I only wish there was someone who had gone from plication to sleeve. The other thing is that I don't know which approach is actually better and can be done safely and effectively. My plication was done in Mexico(self pay) however, my insurance has approved my sleeve. Because plication is not a practiced procedure in the US, I'm not sure Dr's here really know and/or have experience with plication revision? I'm also not sure how insurance would respond if I had complications as a result of the previous plication procedure? Would they pay?? Don't know? Any suggestions moving forward would be greatly appreciated.

[FatToPhat 83]

I too am interested in converting my plication surgery, which I had in 2011. Although I'm looking to convert to a bypass. I lost about 50 lbs over approx. 6+ months and then started gaining back slowly. I've gained about 30 lbs of it back. Anyway, because the plication isn't done as frequently as the other surgeries, I have the same fear that any doctor that tries the conversion, really doesn't have the experience under his or her belt. I hope someone responds that has had a conversion surgery from a plication.

[Mountaingal 322]

Any updates from anyone on revision from plication to sleeve? Though I do not want to do that at the min the subject is of interest.

[JennieT311 3]

I joined a study in which I didn't know if I had a plication or not. After a year I was told I had the plication, shortly after that they discontinued the study and the surgeon I had left the practice. She moved out of state. I got my band in DEC 2013. I initially lost around 55lbs. Recently I have gained around 30lbs back and I am throwing up 2-3 times a week. Recently I went and saw my PA. i had an upper GI, which showed no problems with the band, but they took all 4 ccs of Fluid I had in my band. (oh btw i was told after my surgery that they will not put more than 5 ccs in the band) They explained to me that some people do develop band intolerance and that is why I am throwing up 2-3 times a week. The PA made an appointment for me to talk with a different surgeon. I want the sleeve! I was told that I may not be able to have the sleeve procedure done because of having this plication with my band. I do not want gastric bypass. So I am going May 19 to discuss my options into what I can do. Good Luck on your outcome!