Starr

You should go for the regular Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. I wasted time and chance focusing on the Plication. I don't believe that it will be safe long-term. I was too scared to cut my stomach and silly me, now I am empty handed. I am glad, so glad that I did not have the plication. All the Best to you, Leila

Hey Lexy. You sent me a personal message on OH the other day. I did not respond but I want you to know that I am thinking about you - a lot! I was scheduled to have my plication in NYC with my long-time surgeon on December 20th. As my IV was being hooked up in the OR, I let my surgeon know that I only wanted my Lap Band removed. I battled back and forth with this particular surgery. I had profound concerns about the condition of stomach tissue long term due to scarring and possible circulation issues. Prior to going into the OR, my doc drafted some sort of document for me to sign. We had many, many, many talks over the months - OMG, so many. He said something about not knowing what kind of condition the stomach would be in long-term then said something about "grapes" and I thought . . . you're gonna have to amputate my stomach??? I don't know why I said that, but all the long I had been thinking about those stomach vessells being constricted, the stomach being contricted - and all that scar tissue. Sorry to tell you exactly what I was thinking but it is why I backed out. Gosh, I am so sorry that you've had this experience and I pray that everything will remain good and stable for you and that you are able to lose all of your excess weight and be healthy for the rest of your life. (((HUGS))) Leila

Are one of the side effects with the plication reflux? Did you get it? How do you control? Best, Starr

Thank you so much for the response Dr. Watkins. It is greatly appreciated not only by me but by others who visit here with interest in the Plication. I feel very lucky that you are here. Best, Starr

OMG Karen, it makes me so excited to read about your experience so far. I am hoping that my experience mirrors yours. Thank you so very much! Lets please keep in touch. Best, Starr

Hi! I am glad to be here with you other VSP's!!! Those of you that revised from Band to Plication what was your experience like? What should I expect or need to know? How is restriction with the plication compared to restriction with the Lap Band? Do you feel your stomach? How long did you need off from work? Are liquids hard? Do regret this surgery? And any other comments or information is greatly welcome Thanks! Starr My Plication is 12/20/10

Hey thanks for the response. Good to know that liquids are going down pretty easy . Blessings, Starr

Hi Irene, certainly not looking to bash your surgery at all - please not at all. There is too much negativity in the world already. I wish you nothing but success with your gastrectomy. The thing is that there is no where for Plications to go for information - I thought this was a Plication forum and it seems like most the couple of people here are gastrectomies. ABSOLUTELY TRUE, some VSG do indeed dump. If you go on OH, you can ask on that forum. I've seen it since the early days of the VSG as a stand alone procedure. FYI, ppl who have not had any WLS at all can dump - it is rare, but it can happen. I panicked when I saw your post about not simply lactose intolerance, but full blown dumping. I want to have a baby real soon and I want to be able to supplement my diet with skim milk and other dairy. I thought hey, if I can't eat too much, surely I'd be able to sneak in 300+ extra calories of dairy. Please understand that there is not a place for plications and I thought this was the place. On the other site - I adore everyone, but they are not really embracing us plications. They say "fake sleeve" and how we should really specify that we don't have the gastrectomy when we post because we will give a false impression of the "sleeve" because of the faulty results we are having. They don't want pre-ops and newbies to believe they will have plication "issues". They are right to a certain extent. We must clarify our surgery types over here. Although our sleeves look the same from the inside, we are different in the "issues" we may have. A huge reason I am not having the gastrectomy is: I am anemic most my life for none of the typical reasons, I didn't want a higher possibility of dumping - I don't want to be punished, I just want to be somewhat "normal", there is nothing wrong with the removal of 80+% of our stomachs, but for me I just never could come to terms with it. And reflux scared me - I had a single dance with that with the band - again, I don't want to be punished and yes it may happen with the plication. We will see. No weight loss surgery is perfect - very far from. My plication may fail as any of these surgeries may BUT this is the one I am chosing and this is the one I am going to stick by and do my very best for success - a normal life, a chance to eat right and exercise and keep a normal weight. (((BIG HUGS))) Starr You kno

Okay, this one particular person just shared that she had the VSG!

Hi Dr. Watkins! I'm reading what sounds like "dumping syndrome". I know that some Gastrectomies can get this and it seems like even though this is the plication forum it is still mixed with gastrectomies. No doubt I will cancel my surgery if this is a possible side effect from the plication/imbrication. I've had one foot outside the door and to hear this is scaring the heck out of me.

Yep, I think that it is a hoax. And I've been worried about this person and scared for myself. I believe someone is doing this type of thing on OH too. They don't like the idea of the Plication! I mean there was a person posting that the plication made her hunger constant AND immediately post-op, she was eating bagels and pizza WTH!!!