kpodle

I know a couple of people on here have had this procedure. I am likely going to have it myself. I like the idea of the plication, but was concerned about the Dr. Watkins posts where he indicated that one of his patients suffered necrosis. I faxed Dr. Watkin's posts to my surgeon so we could discuss it at my consult today. My surgeon says he knows Dr. Watkins and will call him to discuss and then he will call me to share his thoughts. My surgeon's thinking is that any complications with the plication should show up very soon after the procedure, and that the risk is still relatively low (comparable to the sleeve or bypass). If by chance something happens, a patient should be able to be converted to the sleeve. He does say, not surprisingly, that surgical technique is critical. My surgeon actually traveled to Dubai to learn the surgery from the Dr who developed the technique used today. I also asked what would happen if the stomach expanded over time and whether the sutures could dig into the tissue, resulting in necrosis. His response was that, over time, the sutures are not even detectable, that they are essentially absorbed into the tissue. This would seem to bolster the claim that plication complications are most often seen very soon after the surgery and not at some point down the road. So we'll see, I still may just opt for the sleeve....

Sorry to hear that the plication hasn't worked well for you. I ultimately decided on the sleeve. I was sleeved April 4 and have done very well. I'm amazed that i am never hungry, even when I know I need to eat. Plus all the cravings for fast food are gone, which I thought would never be possible since I typically ate fast food 3 times a day, almost every day. I don't recall if a plication can be converted to a sleeve, if so, maybe that could be an option for you at some point. Best of luck to you, and again, sorry that the plication hasn't worked....maybe some folks on here can give you some tips to help.

Try drinking Gatorade G2, it's low sugar but will help you get some electrolytes.

I was sleeved April 4th. I was also feeling dizzy a couple of weeks out. I was getting in my protein and water but not any electrolytes. I started drinking Gatorade G2 (it's low sugar) and added some salt to my soups. I felt immediately better and haven't been dizzy since. I'm also recently very concious of getting in enough potassium, Lite Minute Maid OJ with calcium is a good choice, also low in sugar.

Hi, Yep, I have a desk job. Knock on wood, I didn't have any complications, didn't need the pain meds I was prescribed, and was and have been able to get in all the fluids and Protein. I've been drinking mostly Isopure no carb protein Water for my protein and gatorade g2 drinks to get in some electrolytes (I noticed an immediate improvement in energy level after starting the G2 drink, love it). I also use the unjury chicken Soup flavored protein and add some salt to it, that also makes me feel much better. If you want to get in your protein but have trouble getting in fluids, MetRX sells these test tube shaped 'protein shots' with 32grams of protein in only 3oz of liquid. It tastes awful, like cough medicine, but it's still a great way to get in your protein. As everyone will tell you, walking is critical. I walk a LOT, even at work I make sure to walk every hour and do some standing calf raises as recommended by my surgeon. I think you will do fine, it's great that you can work at home for a week. -ken

I was sleeved on April 4 and went back to work April 8 with no issues... -ken

I was sleeved on 4/4 and had the same problem with Water for the first few days. I was able to tolerate water with crystal light and clear Protein water drinks however. I heard water with lemon can also be more easily tolerated. Speaking of water. I am here at work and 30 min ago I just took 3 big gulps of water from my water bottle. I forgot I was sleeved last week. Fortunately my stomach didn't go too crazy!!

Thanks to everyone for the kinds words! Today I'm 4 days post-op. I'm actually typing this at work (decided to come in for a half day). I probably could have worked a full day, but will start back to work full time this coming Monday. No more gas discomfort. Getting in 90grams of Protein and all my Water. For protein, I like the unjury chicken Soup flavor (with a little bit of salt) and Nature's Best Isopure No Carb protein water (like the orange flavor the best so far). I also tried Met-RX protein shot that I bought at Sam's Club. It's a good price, $1.85 for 32 grams of protein in only 2.9oz of Fluid. It definately has a strong taste, but I seem to tolerate it well. Also doing a lot of walking. Went shopping at the mall yesterday. Going to walk around Sea World for an hour after work (live in san diego with an annual pass). So overall, recovery has been much speedier than expected. Good luck to all the upcoming April sleevers!

It's done. I was sleeved this past Monday April 4. Was discharged this morning. Things went really well. Today my surgeon dropped off pics of my stomach pre and post sleeve. Kinda gross but interesting. Doing a lot of walking to help with the gas cramps. Taking in as much fluids as I can and began taking my Vitamins. Hospital staff (scripps memorial hospital in San Diego) were amazingly helpful. I'm also lucky that my partner is a med surge nurse so he stayed with me and took care of me as well. 3 days out I'm feeling really good and looking forward to progressing through the food stages...

This is such a great resource. I would love to see nutrition info, but I figure I can calculate that as I go along.

I'm also getting sleeved tomorrow, April 4th in San Diego. I think that makes me the 6th person getting sleeved tomorrow from this post. I think it would be kinda cool for the 6 of us (or more if they're out there) to share how we're doing as we progress since we're all sleeved on the same day. I'd be especially curious how others are going through the food stages (and how fast). If anyone's interested, we could swap emails and set up a group email list. Just an idea! In any case, good luck to everyone with their upcoming surgeries!! -ken

I have BCBS administered by Health Comp. They require 6 months but my surgeon told me during my initial consult that he often submits after just 3 months and gets approvals. In my case, he submitted 8 weeks after our initial consult after having met with him 3x, the NUT 3x, and getting the pych eval. I was approved a week later and my surgery is Monday, April 4.

April 4th. I can't wait for the procedure to be over with and to be back home!

I have Anthem BC/BS administered by Health Comp and began the 6 month approval ordeal at the end of January. My surgeon mentioned when I first met him that he has a good relationship with Health Comp and would try to submit after 3 months for approval. Well he submitted after 8 weeks (after seeing him 3x, the Nut 3x, and the psych eval), and a week later (today) I got word that I'm approved! Not only that, but my surgery is scheduled for this coming Monday, April 4. Sweet!!! I was debating between getting the sleeve or the plication, but in the end opted for the sleeve. So I'm quickly ordering my Vitamins, vita-mix blender, and Protein powders. Hopefully the operation and recovery will go well. I can really only take a week off work so I'm a little worried about that, but we'll see. - ken

Thanks! Good luck with your surgery!

I just bought one of the reconditioned models from the vitamix website...if you enter the promotion code 06-005220 you will save $25 on shipping.

Regarding absorption and the sleeve, I was always under the impression that there was no absorption issues. Then doing research I came across the article linked below. I found it a little disconcerting. I'm not trying to bash the sleeve (as I think that's the procedure I will end up getting) but this article's findings were surprising... http://www.springerlink.com/content/b532u2412753kp30/

I am having a consult with my surgeon next week. He is conducting a clinical trial for 'banded plication' - basically a lap band plus a plication. I was originally interested in getting the sleeve but have since been seriously considering the banded plication. I already faxed him Dr. Watkin's 2 posts and I will be very interested to get my surgeon's feedback. Hopefully this thread will remain ulocked, and if so, I'll pass along my surgeon's comments.

Small world. I just took my mother to their info seminar while visiting her over Christmas. She is considering doing the sleeve with them. I liked the presentation, but, like you, would be interested if anyone else has information on the docs.....

you're not the only one....

I just scheduled my initial appointment with him to talk about the sleeve, and an appointment to meet with the nutritionist. Hopefully the meeting will go well and I'll be approved for the surgery!