bazookadoe

Wait, I'm sorry. I lost 35 pounds in TWO months. Duh.

Havind seen more than one name used, I've had trouble figuring out the proper term myself. To remove any mystery, I got a lap band plus my stomach folded in and stitched from the outside. I wish one medical authority or another would rule on the official name of this procedure. It would make life a little easier for those of us who went this route.

I had the double-whammy and I'm llllllllllllovin' it! No complications whatsoever. It took just three months to lose 35 pounds. I'm avoiding the scale at the moment because I saw the rate slow down a bit but it's not the procedure's fault. I went back to work teaching on August 4th and it sucks the strength right out of me. I often come home so tired that it literally hurts, collapse into the recliner, and can't pull myself out. I will say this, though; I'm still shrinking. I lost significant weight in the past and kept it off for ten years. More than once, the scale let me down but I was still losing bulk. I have this fantasy of losing 50 pounds at the four month mark but I'll have to do a better job with exercise to get there. On the up side, there's a weight room at work and I mmmmmight be able to squeeze in a workout or two per week come Monday. I'm going in tomorrow to try and get up to speed. If I do, I might have more strength and time when the workday ends. Wish me luck. It may TAKE a break from Lady Luck to stop coming home exhausted.

I just got home. I'm very sleepy. Portenier told my mom it all went smooth as silk. Doctors can be horribly pretentious but Portenier? I like the cut of his jib. I'll let those of you wondering what to expect physically tomorrow, but right now I just want to go to sleep, if that gives you any idea. Off to the Promised Land... Dori

Ha! FeFe, if you don't lose another 40 pounds in six months, I owe you a Coke. Not to be taken literally, of course.

Oops. Not that it means anthing, but I meant to say 44 pounds by Christmas. Which brings up another topic. I really don't know what goal I should set. I love that banding with plication so far shows faster and greater weight loss than banding alone, but what should I aim for? One of my signature lines is 'always expect the worst in life, that way you're never disappointed.' And yes, I'm very sarcastic. I never liked hearing that the band typically leads to losing 40-60% of excess weight. I did that and kept it off for ten years by diet alone - how could this do no better?! I now see the stats on banding with plication, which show weight loss along the lines of RNY. I wear women's size 24. My cautious hope before was 14 misses but I'll happily settle for size 16. The secret wish, of course, was size 12 but it would take more than 60% of my EW to get there. Okay, should I consider size 12 a reasonable goal now? I'm afraid to hope for too much and wind up disappointed (see mantra cited above), but by all indications so far, I could get there if not farther. If I look like Marilyn Monroe when she sang Happy Birthday to JFK, I'm happy. Which I say largely in jest. I don't think I'll go that far. BTW, did you know that Marilyn Monroe would be considered a plus size model by today's standards? What a world.

I just found another nice nugget on band with plication. The following was released on March 22, 2011, just three months ago: At the summit today, the preliminary data from a Band with Plication study was presented by Dr Dana Portenier. This is a combined study by Duke University and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The current study involves 45 patients with a mean age of 43 years. They have a mean starting weight of 255lbs, and BMI of 42. The majority of the patients had a Band with Plication procedure done, although 9 had a Plication done in combination with a band revision. Early results show 37% EWL (Excess Weight Loss) at 18 weeks.Proponents of this new procedure think that compared with standard gastric banding it may: provide faster and more durable weight loss, and might require fewer band adjustments and reduce complications such as slips or erosions. Another proposed benefit compared to a gastric plications without banding is that it may allow a less tight plication which would decrease suture line leaks and ischemia. (see http://doctorsofweightloss.com/2011/03/band-summit-band-with-plication/) This and the other studies I've found put to rest my own skepticism and I'm glad to have been assigned Portenier. (Still a little peeved after not being informed of this option when I should have been, but that's another story.) Punching my own numbers, I can expect to lose 62 pounds by Christmas. HOOOO wah! There are people with whom I want to share my adventure and others with whom I do not, a few of which I'll probably see over the holidays. If asked how I've lost so much weight so quickly, I think I'll quote Lois Griffin - "Meth is a hell of a drug." That oughtta take care of it. (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvxWdnu9iDE)

That's good to hear. Portenier said whenever he does banded plication he has a second surgeon there to observe. Sounds like edumacation to me. If we're being used to collect data, can we see that data when their project is complete? I'd love to but I'm not bettin' the farm they'll show us. If it's a formal study, it will eventually be released. WebMD is a good place to look. You have to pay for full reports but they post summaries for all to see.

Curt, how many of your 51 pounds are post-op? So far, it looks like you're the only one who's already had this done! Keep us up to date all you can, O Great One.

I asked about cost but I can't help you there because I'm insured. They said that the insurance code for plication is the same as for banding so it shouldn't be an issue and that they've heard no stories of one being covered but the combination rejected. I'll be calling my insurance company on Monday to make sure, NOT my idea of a good time. Momo, I'm glad you got more information than I did. It's not Portenier's fault, though, as I see it. As the nurse practitioner stated, I should have been informed during my first visit and my appointment with Poretenier was not 1:1 but a group session. Sorry, but I really resent being made to look like a dumbass when I'm not the one who did anything wrong. I got no info during orientation, either. Any idea on why that is? It's like their withholding information!

I was able to find two studies on combining a lap band with gastric plication. You can see them in full below but to summarize, people who had both procedure lost more, saw fewer complications and underwent adjustments both later and less often. Something like this isn't a snap decision for me and I was dissappointed with how much information was available. It took a long, long time but after finally finding medical studies on this option, I feel a lot better. Hope they help you, too. With 143 studies in all, the link is an information goldmine with something for everyone. I'm too tired to post this in other places and fear wearing out my welcome to boot, so feel free to post the link on other forums should the Lord so lead you. Dori http://www.nsikas.gr.../abstractLA.pdf EVENT: The IFSO XV Congress, July 2010 (International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders) Gastric Plication To Improve The Results Of Laparoscopic Gastric Banding Background: Laparoscopic gastric banding (LAGB) is a well established procedure to treat morbid obesity and to improve its comorbidity, Gastric banding entered into widespread use in the mid 1990s. Hallberg and Forsell, as well as Kuzmak worked on separate continents to develop the clinical application of adjustable gastric bands in the early 1980s. Several technique were applied to decrease the complication of the gastric band and to improve the weight loss. In our comparative study we observed the results of two different techniques of LAGB for at least one year. Methods: we randomized 100 patients who attended our clinic from Oct. 2008-March 2009 for laparoscopic gastric banding to have one of two approaches. Gr.A:The conventional way of LAGB without gastric Plication Gr.B:LAGB with anterior gastric Plication. We observed pattern of weight loss, complication rate and need of adjustments in both groups. Results: we operated 50 patients in each group and followed up for one year. BMI was 42 and 43 kg/m2 respectively. Age and gender similar in both groups. Excess weight loss was 45% in Gr. A and 62% in B(p<0.005). Slippage rate was in 2 cases(4%) in A and Zero in B (p<0.05). Average number of adjustment 4 times in A and twice B. First adjustment after 4 weeks in A and 7 weeks in B. No band erosion. Conclusion: The early results of LAGB with gastric Plication seem to be significantly superior to the conventional one to improve weight loss and decrease complication rate. New Bariatric Concept: Laparascopic Adjustable Banded Gastirc Plication. Background: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding has been widely accepted to treat morbid obesity. However, the stagnant of weight loss from poor compliance of patients made weight loss slower and inconsistent. Here, we describe a novel technique for Laparoscopic Adjustable Banded Gastric Plication( LABGP) to augment and improve postoperative weight loss. Methods: After approval of ethics committee, LABGP was implicated to morbidly obese patients after getting patient‟s consent. Laparoscopic surgery with 5-ports technique was performed. Swedish band was placed with pars flaccida method and then total vertical gastric Plication from fundus to lower antrum, 3 cm from pylorus was performed with Ethibone suture and Endohernia staples. Preoperative data , intra and postoperative complications and length of hospital stay were recorded.Upper gastrointestinal series and GI QOL questionnaire were done 3 months later postoperatively. And all patients were regularly followed up.Excess weight loss was analyzed. Results: Between May 2009 and February 2010, 20 morbid obese cases with a mean BMI of 40.47kg/m2(range 35-48) underwent LAGBP. Mean operation time was 81.9 min and patients were discharged after 1.25 days in average. No surgical complication happened. Mean %EWL at the 1st, 3rd, 6th and 9th month was 21.3%, 1.67%, 45.41% and 69.77% respectively. Till now, band adjustment frequency was only 0.8 times/patient in this period. Conclusion: Laparoscopic Adjustable Banded Gastric Plication, a combination of restrictive and reductive procedure, is safe, feasible and reproducible. It can offer excellent weight loss under a more physiological concept. Long-term follow up for this procedure would be mandatory. Back to top Report Blog This MultiQuote Reply Edit // Show multiquote for JS browsers if ( $('multiq_1630478') ) { $('multiq_1630478').show(); } if( $('toggle_post_1630478') ) { $('toggle_post_1630478').show(); } // Add perm data ipb.topic.deletePerms[1630478] = { 'canDelete' : 0, 'canSoftDelete' : 0 }; Currently viewing all posts. Change thres

I undergo surgery at Duke on Tuesday, June 28. My original plan was the lap band only, but I was then told about banding with plication. After hours of research, I was finally able to find two studies on banded gastric plication. (I'm still not sure of the official term for banding and plication combined, or even if there is one.) To summarize, people who choose both procedures lose more weight and see fewer complications than people who choose banding alone. Adjustments, meanwhile, are fewer and start later. The writing style found in medical reports can be hard to chew on, but you'll definitely want to read them in full and they are found below along with the link, which includes 143 studies in all. I know, a lot! To be quite honest, I'm still a little pissed by all this. My first appointment at Duke was a month ago, but I didn't learn about plication and the option to have it until my second appointment on Wednesday, just six days before surgery. Whaaaaaaaaat??? My last appointment was this morning so I asked to meet with my surgeon; none of them were in. I did, however, get to meet with a nurse practitioner who admitted someone had "dropped the ball." I was supposed to have been told about this during the first appointment but instead look like a deer in the headlights when Dr. Portenier asked me if I was going this route or sticking with a band alone. It felt more like "Would you like fries with that?" Now I look like a b***h for expressing my concern and asking for information but ya gotta do what's right for you. Hopefully these studies will help others feel fully informed. http://www.nsikas.gr.../abstractLA.pdf EVENT: The IFSO XV Congress, July 2010 (International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders) Gastric Plication To Improve The Results Of Laparoscopic Gastric Banding Background: Laparoscopic gastric banding (LAGB) is a well established procedure to treat morbid obesity and to improve its comorbidity, Gastric banding entered into widespread use in the mid 1990s. Hallberg and Forsell, as well as Kuzmak worked on separate continents to develop the clinical application of adjustable gastric bands in the early 1980s. Several technique were applied to decrease the complication of the gastric band and to improve the weight loss. In our comparative study we observed the results of two different techniques of LAGB for at least one year. Methods: we randomized 100 patients who attended our clinic from Oct. 2008-March 2009 for laparoscopic gastric banding to have one of two approaches. Gr.A:The conventional way of LAGB without gastric plication Gr.B:LAGB with anterior gastric plication. We observed pattern of weight loss, complication rate and need of adjustments in both groups. Results: we operated 50 patients in each group and followed up for one year. BMI was 42 and 43 kg/m2 respectively. Age and gender similar in both groups. Excess weight loss was 45% in Gr. A and 62% in B(p<0.005). Slippage rate was in 2 cases(4%) in A and Zero in B (p<0.05). Average number of adjustment 4 times in A and twice B. First adjustment after 4 weeks in A and 7 weeks in B. No band erosion. Conclusion: The early results of LAGB with gastric plication seem to be significantly superior to the conventional one to improve weight loss and decrease complication rate. New Bariatric Concept: Laparascopic Adjustable Banded Gastirc Plication. Background: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding has been widely accepted to treat morbid obesity. However, the stagnant of weight loss from poor compliance of patients made weight loss slower and inconsistent. Here, we describe a novel technique for Laparoscopic Adjustable Banded Gastric Plication( LABGP) to augment and improve postoperative weight loss. Methods: After approval of ethics committee, LABGP was implicated to morbidly obese patients after getting patient‟s consent. Laparoscopic surgery with 5-ports technique was performed. Swedish band was placed with pars flaccida method and then total vertical gastric plication from fundus to lower antrum, 3 cm from pylorus was performed with Ethibone suture and Endohernia staples. Preoperative data , intra and postoperative complications and length of hospital stay were recorded.Upper gastrointestinal series and GI QOL questionnaire were done 3 months later postoperatively. And all patients were regularly followed up.Excess weight loss was analyzed. Results: Between May 2009 and February 2010, 20 morbid obese cases with a mean BMI of 40.47kg/m2(range 35-48) underwent LAGBP. Mean operation time was 81.9 min and patients were discharged after 1.25 days in average. No surgical complication happened. Mean %EWL at the 1st, 3rd, 6th and 9th month was 21.3%, 1.67%, 45.41% and 69.77% respectively. Till now, band adjustment frequency was only 0.8 times/patient in this period.