Gastric Plication - Obesity/Bariatric Surgery

Gastric Plication Overview

Gastric Plication is a relatively new bariatric surgical procedure designed to offer obesity and bariatric surgical patients enhanced long-term nutritional and weight loss support. Considered one of the safest and most affected forms of bariatric surgery today, gastric plication is a reversible procedure that also increases and encourages long-term health and wellness in weight loss, long-term weight loss management, and a gradual return to help the dieting and eating habits.

Gastric plication is a form of bariatric surgical weight loss surgery performed laparoscopy lee, which means smaller incisions, faster healing time, and reduced chance of complications.  Similar to a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass, gastric plication reduces the amount of food that a person can eat at one sitting. A restrictive procedure, gastric plication, like other forms of bariatric surgery, reduces the overall size of the stomach.

Who Benefits From the Gastric Plication Procedure?

Individuals diagnosed as obese or morbidly obese may benefit from a gastric plication procedure, in that it limits the amount of food that can be eaten as well as the size of the stomach. One of the greatest benefits of this newer procedure is that it doesn't cause a decreased or limited absorption of nutrients, enhancing health and wellness. 

Individuals undergoing a gastric plication procedure can reasonably expect to lose 40% to 70% of their excess body weight in the first year post surgery. The surgery is designed to reduce obesity-related co-morbidities including hypertension and diabetes. Individuals with dead body mass index (BMI a) of over 27 and diagnosed with one or more obesity-related medical conditions are excellent candidates for the surgical procedure.

Gastric Plication Procedure Description

Patients undergoing a gastric plication procedure should expect five are six very small incisions in the abdominal wall. Through these incisions, a laparoscope, or video camera and other long, thin instruments are used to perform the surgical procedure. The video camera attached to the end of the laparoscope enables the surgeon to view the interior of the body without the need for large, open incisions used in the past.

The gastric plication procedure involves folding the stomach to create a long, thin tube.  This folding reduces the overall size of the stomach by about 70%. During the procedure, the stomach is folded over lengthwise, and sutured into place, creating a tubular structure. The small intestine is also left alone where it connects to the stomach, offering full and normal digestive function, breakdown of foods and nutrients, as well as absorption of nutrients by the small intestine.

Because the stomach is smaller, the patient is unable to eat large amounts of food. The difference between gastric plication and other forms of bariatric surgical procedures is that there is no stomach stapling or cutting.  The stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine is left intact, and is merely folded over, creating a reversible procedure that doesn't permanently damage the size, structure or function of the stomach.

Also known as super-sleeve or vertical sleeve gastrectomy, gastric plication is currently available in countries such as India and Mexico, Europe and the Middle East.

How Much Does Gastric Plication Cost?

In the United States, the gastric plication procedure is currently undergoing clinical trials, and insurance companies are not yet covering the procedure. Patients wishing to receive the gastric plication procedure in the U.S. are required to pay for it themselves. However, individuals wishing to travel to other countries where the procedure has been approved, such as Mexico, may enjoy the benefits of reduced costs in relation to the procedure. Locations in Mexico offer medical traveler's savings of between 50% and 75% on the costs of the same surgical procedures performed in the United States.

Who Performs Gastric Plication?

Surgeons experienced in weight management, obesity and weight control, and subspecialties that utilize advanced laparoscopic surgery and procedures generally perform bariatric surgery. In the United States, such as surgeon may be registered with the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons. Surgeons in other countries are likewise required to maintain adequate certification and experience in bariatric surgical procedures.