DonnaC

Hey there, Doesn't look like many folks have had this done. My Doc (OCC Dr. Ortiez) has done several and they seem to be a great solution for those of us who don't want to go with the Sleeve or bypass. The upside is that they can remove the band and do the plication in the same surgery - which is great. If I wanted to redo the band it would be 3 months from removal before I could get another one.. Anyone else out there considering this - or had this done? DonnaC

I was banded in 2003 in TJ. At my highest weight of 310 (I am 5'7"). The band worked great for me - I lost a total of 170 lbs and went from a size 32 to a 6. I got some plastics done (TT, BA, Lipo and face lift) Really loved my new body and most importantly I was no longer obsessed with food. I ran a marathon, started swimming and walking. This continued for 6 years! Then I lost my saiety - and was able to eat more and more. I tried to stay with the program but it wasn't working. Went back to TJ and OCC says - stretched pouch. Took out all my fill (gained 10 lbs) got a bit of fill back - nothing. We did this 3 times - resulting in a total of 30 lbs...plus a few more I managed to pack on...I started beating myself up - why couldn't I do this..I had been so successful. My clothes didn't fit..my tummy tuck hurt...Holy Heck fire...Back I went to OCC and we talked about revisions - Plication seems to be my best bet - lower BMI - didn't want to cut anything out..So I start the second leg of this journey on July 1st- hopefully I will lose the 38 lbs to get back to my lowest weight and use this new tool to help guide me back to where I want to be..

wow sounds like you have gone through alot with your band. I would really take a close look at your doc though. First it's pretty hard to lose a port - and they can go in and reposition it - I had that done under a local - no biggie. I did not realize they would reband you at the same time they remove a band due to scar tissue. My doc does not recommend that. I know it depends on the doc but I would think you would need time to have the stomach heal before putting a new band in place. The plication is another story - I am getting my band removed and plication as a revision - (unless they find too much scar tissue) - but I would suggest you at least talk to another doc if possible about this...that's alot of change for one surgery...Good luck...let us know. I will have my plication on Friday and be posting most likely again on Sat...with pics...lol...I am sure that will be pretty.D

Hello fellow Pliation Sisters! I am heading down to tj tomorrow to do a revison from my lap band to plication. My band was great for the first 8 years but I have a slip/stretched pouch and choose plication as the revision due to a lower BMI and not wanting to lose part of my stomach. I have lost 16 lbs pre-surgery diet - not a fan of this - but ready to have the proceedure ...will send an update after surgery...thanks so much for sharing... D

Hi there - I know with the band I would hit a stall after losing for several weeks. But the saving tactic was doing my measurements. I started that right before I had my surgery and then did it each week for about the first 6 months. I was amazing to see the inches keep coming off...even when I didn't lose any lbs. Give it a try...your body is probably rearrange as we speak! Donna

Glad you got it figured out. This was a great thread and something most of us should read. My first thought was gallstones. I swear you had every symptom I had - and it comes and goes. Lol - even with the band I swear I became obsessed with Bowel movements. It got to the point where I actually had to put them on the calendar to make sure I was doing what I needed... It's going to be interesting with the plication as I think I will be eating even less than with the band for the first couple of months... Donna

Glad you are feeling a bit better. Did you contact your doc when the pain started? Did they give you any advice? I like the idea of having an upper GI - but with the plication I don't know if it would give them much information. I will ask the docs when I am doing there next week. I think it would be good for them to post something for us so that we have some ideas of what might be going on. There haven't been too many big complications posted on plication (I know of two) but it would still be a good idea. when I first got banded I was worried about a slip, leak,erosion and I could not find much for a few years until one of us banded folks wrote something up.DonnaC

Well - I sure do. I don't eat that much right now- but I keep track - cuz if I dont have regular bowel movements I get this crampy full feeling in my gut...not a good feeling. It took me a bit to realize it - actually my partner did - he said Hey when's the last time you had a BM...and the light bulb went off...I have similar issues if I don't drink enough Water - DonnaC

Hey Jenn, I have heard good things about Dr. Billy. Did I read you right - you kept your band and got a plication under it? Is that right? Wow - that might be a great option...I'll talk to my doc about it.. Donna

The key to all the fiber suppliments is to stir and drink fast. I make smaller amounts of it and drink it several times a day...it was a problem with the band and I am sure it will be an issue with Plication - epecially the first couple of months.

are you happy with the surgery? Have you been feeling okay? I am so confused right now. I am supposed to do Plicsation on July 1st but have some reservations and am looking at Sleeve...even thought I don't want to have "things' cut out.

Good Morning, I am new to the group and searching like many of you for some answers, information and like minded folks to learn from on this journey. A bit about me. I was banded (lapband) in 2003 in TJ and was very successful. I lost 170 lbs in 18 months and kept it off for almost 7 years. In 2009 I started gaining weight - about 10 lbs in a couple of months and went in to get checked as I was not getting any restriction. The dreaded diagnoisis - enlarged pouch. For the next couple of years I have tried everything short of band repositioning - and managed to gain another 30 lbs. I have a wonderful supportive doctor in Mexico and am going back the end of June for revision surgery. He has recommended going with the new procedure - Plication and I am inclined to agree. Based on all my research this seems like a better option for me. One - no fills thank goodness and even better a process that doesn't take out any of my guts..(not an option for me). So - here I am lurking on the boards again to learn as much as possible about the process, recovery tips and general information on the care and feeding of this procedure. My first question to those hardy souls still reading is - "how do you know you are full?". With the band it was pretty obvious - if you over ate or didn't chew it would come back up. With this is it just a feeling of fullness and it stops you? Do you stay full longer? Does it keep you from feeling hungry? Thanks everyone...look forward to gettig to know some of you better... Donna

I was banded in Mexico in 2003 (early band times) and was very successful- but due to pouch stretch am moving to plication with Dr. Ortiez in July. I like his client/staff as I don't have to worry about needing to speak spanish and I have been going there for a long time and know the folks and that helps alot. My comfort level is really high with OC. I say do your research - figure out what is best for you based on your weight loss goals and input from the docs.

I always tell everyone that a scale stall is not always a real stall as you are probably losing inches. Make sure you do your measurements. After losing so much weight your body is just catching up...youa re doing great! Donna in Seattle banded 3/2003 down 170 lbs to goal 145 stretched pouch - up to 210 revision to plication scheduled 7/1/2011 with Dr. Ortiez...

well - I lost 170lbs with my lapband and at 100 lbs I got a tatoo (tramp stamp) on my lower back of a phoneix - as I felt I was starting a re-birth. At 125lbs down I got a face lift - your face is the most visiable and boy did that make me feel great. At 150lbs lost I got a tummy tuck and lipo. and when it healed I got a dancing fairy with flames on my newly tummy tucked self on my right hip and love it (can see this one). When I get back down to my lowest weight I am looking at something else to Celebrate. These are pretty private areas and for me to enjoy (although my boyfriend loves them). Whatever you do - do it for yourself and make it something that will be a symbol of all your hard work and dedication...you deserve it. I actually love the idea of the bracelet...maybe I could get one tattooed on my ankle and add a bead for every 10 lbs lost...(gosh once you start getting tattoos - it gets to be addictive)... Donna C in Seattle

Hey there, I head down to TJ to have my plication with Dr. Ortiez on July 1st...what does that make us - Sleeve Sisters lol. Congrates on the decision and I know you are reading the boards and trying to learn everything you can. It's funny as I am having a revision (losing my band ) and going to plication, but I have the same feelings now that I did when I got my band. Will it work, am I making a mistake? Well - I lost 170 lbs with the band and then gained back 50..so I feel like I am taking charge of my life again... Keep in touch and let me know how it's going. I start my pre-op diet next week and get my fill out of my band...yikkes - even with it only sort of working - I can't imagine no fill/restriciton... Have heard good things about your doctors...having been in the Mexican bariatric community since 2003 - I have had the pleasure of meeting alot of the Doctors... Donna in Seattle.

Hi there, I am scheduled for my surgery on July 1st (revision from lapband to plication) so I can answer alot of your questions. Two questions: 1) What is NSV? no scale victory - 2) Does anyone have extremely serious regrets for having the surgery? well even with having to have a revision on my band - I don't regret it - lost 170 lbs - gained back 50lbs due to an enlarged pouch - but will have the plication and get back to my lowest weight in no time. Hope this was helpful. Donna in Seattle surgery lap band 3/2003 - scheduled for plication on July 1st with OCC TJ 310/145/200 and counting down again!