Laparoscopic greater curvature plication is a relatively new restrictive weight loss surgery gaining popularity among patients suffering from morbid obesity. The operation is comparable to existing bariatric surgeries in terms of weight loss results at a lower cost and with lesser post-operative complications.

Gastric plication reduces stomach volume and thus assists in weight loss by decreasing the food intake. Patients feel less hungry and feel full quickly after ingestion of small quantities of food. There is also a low risk of early and late complications as plication surgery does not involve gastric resection or the placement of a synthetic device in the body.

Laparoscopic Weight Loss Surgery

• Laparoscopic weight loss surgery uses the latest technological advances in science and medicine and allows bariatric surgeons to perform the operation without making long incisions.
• Laparoscopic surgery is also called band aid or key-hole surgery.
• The surgeon makes small incisions ranging from 0.5 to 1cm in length through which surgical instruments are inserted.
• A tiny camera transmits images of the operating field and aids in better visualization.
• The small cuts ensure that the recovery time is shortened and there are lesser post surgical complications.

What is Laparoscopic Greater Curvature Plication?

• Gastric sleeve plication is abariatric procedure that brings together the advantages of restricting the gastric space along with reducing the risks of complications concomitant with implanting a medical device as in the case of gastric band surgery and also minimizes the likelihood of leaks from stapling the stomach as in the case of sleeve gastrectomy.
• The procedure is carried out under general anesthesia and is performed laparoscopically, that is via five or six small incisions in the abdomen.
• The surgeon then folds in (plicates) and sutures the outer wall of the greater curved part of the stomach. This creates a narrow tube shaped stomach with reduced capacity. As the natural stomach is retained, the surgery may be reversed if required.
• Gastric plication reduces the volume of the stomach and hence the quantity of food ingested. It does not interfere with dietary choices or causes any gastro-intestinal problems like malabsorption or dumping syndrome. Patients feel less hungry and get full faster thereby aiding in weight loss.

Alternate names of Gastric Plication Surgery:

• Laparoscopic Greater Curvature Plication (GPS),
• Gastric Imbrications, Gastric Sleeve Plication,
• Vertical Gastric Plication,
• Vertical Sleeve Plication,
• Laparoscopic Gastric Plication (LGP).

Overview of a Study on Gastric Plication Surgery

• A study titled Laparoscopic greater curvature plication: initial results of an alternative restrictive bariatric procedure was carried out by Ramos A, Galvao Neto M, Galvao M et al., the results of which were published in the July 2010 edition of the “Journal of the National Center for Biotechnology Information”.
• 30 female morbidly obese and 12 male morbidly obese patients with an average age of 33.5 years and mean body mass index of 41 on whom laparoscopic greater curvature plication was carried out were the subjects of this study.
• The study found that following the surgery, patients were able to return to their normal activities within a week.
• There were no intra-operative complications during the plication surgery.
• As of May 2010, no patient had reported regaining weight after having the surgery

Are You a Candidate for Gastric Plication Surgery?

• Greater curvature plication is ideally suited for:
• People who have been unsuccessful at losing weight by means of diets and exercising.
• Mentally and emotionally sound individuals.
• People with a BMI of 40 or above.
• Individuals who need to lose 50 to 100 pounds.
• Patients who do not want anything implanted in their abdomens.
• People who do not want any part of their gastro intestinal system cut or removed permanently.
• Gastric plication is also ideal for those people who do not want to spend much time in the hospital and those who find it difficult to return for frequent follow ups.

Gastric Plication Surgery vs. Other Bariatric Procedures

• Gastric Plication vs. Gastric Sleeve – Fewer complications like bleeding and leaks, as the stomach is only folded in and not cut as in the case of gastric sleeve surgery. Also, plication surgery is reversible.
• Gastric Plication vs. Gastric Bypass – As gastric sleeve plication does not require any intestinal rerouting, there is no malabsorption or dumping syndrome involved.
• Gastric Plication vs. Gastric Banding – Gastric plication surgery patients do not require any medical implants or periodic recall for adjustment of bands and are also free from the risks of lap band surgery.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Gastric Plication Surgery

Advantages

• No cutting, stapling or removal of the stomach.
• Low rate of early and late complications.
• Quick recovery.
• Reversible.
• Lower cost.
• Weight loss comparable to other bariatric procedures.
• Gastric plication in India, Mexico, and Thailand are some viable low cost options which can be explored by the patients.

Disadvantages

• Lack of long-term data.
• Not usually covered under insurance schemes.
• Performed by only a few doctors worldwide.

Tips for Patients Considering Gastric Plication Surgery

• Patients should do thorough research before deciding on 2-3 bariatric surgeons.
• They should take into consideration the doctors’ qualifications, experience and success rates.
• Overweight individuals should discuss their expectations with the doctors in detail and should be absolutely comfortable with the bariatric surgeon they finally choose.
• Smoking, consuming alcohol and taking blood thinners like aspirin should be stopped before gastric plication surgery.
• Patients should keep in mind that surgery is merely a stepping stone towards their ideal weight and this should be augmented by proper exercise and a healthy diet.
• Medical Trip helps provide information about the low cost international hospitals and bariatric surgery options overseas.

Recovery from Gastric Plication Surgery

Following surgery, patients may experience varying degrees of nausea and vomiting as they are not adjusted to the small size of their stomachs. The patients are initially placed on a liquid diet for the first 2 – 3 weeks and then slowly brought back to a solid diet.

Laparoscopic Greater Curvature Plication brings a ray of hope for patients seeking affordable weight loss surgery without the risk complications which accompany other bariatric procedures.

Medical-Trip facilitates low-cost Laparoscopic Greater Curvature Plication. For more information, submit the estimate-request form on the right.