momof3girlsnc

I had my surgery 6/20 at Duke Raleigh Lap Band with Plication. Very happy with results so far I've lost 35 pounds. I just had my first fill today with fluoro (had 2 cc placed on 6/20 and now 3.5 cc). Surgery recovery itself was ok except I had a wicked head cold on day of surgery and wound up with a postop pneumonia which wasn't fun! Ok as far as the lap band, plication and weight loss! I had it done as an outpatient. Good luck!

i am also not a self pay patient and didn't think it would be covered but when they called to say surgery was approved I asked if it was lapband with plication and they said yes...we'll if it's a different story when bills come....

I was told on my first visit w Dr. Yoo. My guess is it may not be all Duke surgeons that are doing, or perhaps 'embracing' the procedure (just like they said if you want sleeve you have to see a certain doc in the clinic). At first appt Dr. Yoo asked what procedure you would like - I told him I was undecided between lap band and roux n y - told him my concerns about roux n y such as potential for dumping syndrome & permanent changes to anatomy but wasn't sure if I really wanted to go through the lap band if I would only lose 40% of the weight - was afraid of some 'after the fact' regret. He told me about the lapband with plication and I asked him questions. My guess is some providers have adopted the procedure moreso than others in the clinic. No information on this option was included in my generic 'orientation' program (where they describe surgical options) but he brought up at my first clinic visit 1:1. Good luck next week on your lapband with or without plication. Wow I'm surprised they were able to 'randomize' 100 patients to either get a lap band or lap band with plication - that must have been an interesting study and procedure consent form - you may get lapband or you may get lapband w/ plication. Hope they at least advised the patients what procedure had postop (or at preop visit).

Dr. Yoo is also doing my surgery! Glad you are doing well postop.

Hi, I am also followed at Duke Bariatric Center - and am having a lapband with the modified plication tomorrow morning!

There are some VA Medical Centers that offer bariatric surgery (and each VAMC should have a regional bariatric surgical center to which they refer). If you are followed at the VA - your primary care provider should be able to advise if you qualify for bariatric surgery and ifeligible, initiate the appropriate referral process. Don't quote me but I think the requirements were: 1. Eligible for VA Health Care. 2. 3 months successful completion of the "MOVE" Program (Managing Obesity/Overweight for Veterans Everywhere). or if MOVE not available at your medical center - participation in another multidisciplinary weight management program. 3. Qualifying BMI is >40 or >35 with comorbidities. 4. There are some other requirements and exclusions which your VA Primary Care Provider should be able to advise you about. Good luck, and Thank you for your Service! :patriot: --A VA Nurse fromNC

Hey ShellieJ13- I am also having surgery tomorrow June 20th! Wow - in about 12 hours ! Good luck everyone!

I am having LapBand with plication surgery tomorrow at Duke.

Good luck tomorrow Kristi! I am also scheduled for tomorrow - 7:15 am!

I also did not have to do a preop diet. My surgery is scheduled for Monday June 20 & I was only asked to do one day of clear liquids Sunday and nothing after midnight. I will have 2-3 weeks of liquids postop before mushies though.

I had my preop appointment yesterday also. They did suggest eating healthy, walk, and try to lose a little more weight preop. No liquid diet required, except clear liquids one day prior to surgery (Sun 6/19). Hard to believe just a little over a week to go!

BandIt... I haven't had it yet - scheduled June 20th. My doc was also very enthusiastic and felt like it would continue to increase in popularity. Please share any literature you receive (as there's not a lot to find about the procedure online).

It is fairly new procedure in US but not so much in Europe (or so I am told). It provides 'similar' weight loss results as the vertical sleeve but without permanently removing part of your stomach. My surgeon says it is intended to provide good initial weight loss, and then the band helps with maintenance. The plication itself (as Aliamah said is just where they fold the stomach and have a few stitches placed) is intended to assist with weight loss, NOT permanent. In fact, my surgeon says 3 years out, the stitches usually come out and stomach returns to original size (which is why lap band is there to assist with maintenance). I initially wanted just the lap band but when I learned of this procedure which combines the dramatic 'initial' results of Roux N Y (without the major surgery) and ability to maintain weight less invasively (Lap Band) I decided to try it.

I am scheduled to have lapband with plication on Jun 20. Don't know what preop diet I will need to follow-but have an appointment on June 9th.