genepha

Frenchie, As far as I know, you can have the band removed and a sleeve done all in one procedure if your stomach doesn't need time to heal between surgeries. I'm not 100% sure since I haven't had my revision yet but I think Tiffykins and a few others have had the sleeve and band removal all in one procedure. I'm hoping to have my band removed/replaced and a plication performed all at the same time as well. Good luck to you! genepha banded Dec, 2001 Awaiting insurance approval for band removal/replacement with self-pay plication

I am currently banded but my band needs to come out. I wrestled between plication and sleeve gastrectomy and after speaking with 2 of my doctors, I decided to go with plication. My dr. at Cedars-Sinai will do a sleeve but he doesn't recommend them. He told me that he thinks the long staple line is too problematic and he's concerned about leaks and staple line problems. I can not have a RNY (and wouldn't anyway) so that's not an option for me. I spoke with another WLS dr. and he expressed some of the same concerns about the sleeve. I really like the sleeve but I really had a hard time with the idea of having 85% of a good, healthy organ thrown away. If plication was not available I would have the sleeve. Another concern for me was insurance approval with the sleeve, but it appears that Anthem has started covering it! yeah! So in case I don't end up with a plication or something happens when my band is removed, I am very happy that the sleeve gastrectomy is available. I know some VSGers have concerns about their stomach being removed and they do get over it. I have to say that the positives of both VSG and plication outweigh any negatives I can think of. Good luck to you! genepha banded Dec, 2001 Awaiting insurance approval for band removal/replacement with self-pay plication

I did a bit of research and he seems to work mostly with Mexican patients. His websites are mainly in Spanish as are his client testimonies. The ones I read seemed to all be positive. Maybe you should post on the main Sleeve board as he seems to perform mostly the sleeve gastrectomy? genepha

I agree with what others have said. Be careful about where you choose to go, just like in America. If you aren't buying drugs in an alley - you should be okay, just like here. I travel to Tijuana frequently and have never, ever had a problem, especially if you are in the Zona Rio area (the business/hospital zone). I've never heard of Dr. Abril so hopefully someone who knows more about him/her can comment. Good luck to you! genepha

Lena, 15 lbs. is great! I am interested in the plication also and it seems, from the research that I've done, lower BMI patients lose weight slower. Good advice from others on this site work for the plication too: 1. Track and log your food 2. Exercise - move daily, even walking helps 3. Drink plenty of water Good luck to you and I hope you keep us updated on your progress. genepha

Hi again! Thank goodness for these boards because I feel like I'm literally starting all over again. I researched WLS 10 years ago, found the Lapband, was able to get it covered by my insurance (after only 5 months of it being FDA approved). I lost about 100 lbs. over the course of 4-5 years. For a variety of reasons including having 2 difficult pregnancies, being on bed rest for 5 months, reflux and a completely unfilled band, I have regained about 70 lbs. In addition, 6 weeks ago I had my port replaced since it had been giving me lots of problems - it was flipped and difficult to access. When I went for my first fill after the surgery the dr. realized that my esophagus is dilated and my stomach is beginning to come up over the band - all bad news. Anyway - he left me unfilled for 8 weeks to see if my band, tummy, etc. will cooperate. In all honestly, I don't care if it does because I've pretty much had it with my band. I loved it for the first 5 or so years, and really appreciated it for the tool that it was. But now I'm so ready to have a procedure where I don't have to have fills, adjustments, PBs, etc. I do not want the RNY mainly because I know a few people who've had it and have pretty much been able to "eat around" it. I am also severely anemic so the malabsorption would be a problem for me. My doctors are trying to talk me into the RNY or the sleeve, which my insurance will pay for. I am definitely leaning towards the Plication. I've spoken w/ Dr. Rod's Belite team and so far, I like what I've heard. I'm also considering Dr. Jaime Ponce de Leon and of course, Dr. Corvala. I have lots of experience w/ Dr. C because he has done lots of my millions (j/k) of band adjustments! Anyway - I'm doing so much research I'm starting to become obsessed... Just wanted to share my story and let you all know I really appreciate your stories and thoughts. If anyone has had surgery with any of the doctors I mentioned, please let me know how your experience was. Thanks! genepha

Yeah!! Congrats! You are on your way now!

I also suggest you contact the doctors you're interested in. You can also look up each doctor thru YouTube and get a "feel" for them. I think talking to their patients is also a great way to learn more about them. Good luck genepha

Hi Melanieleigh, I've had experience with both Drs. Lopez-Corvala and Dr. Ariel Ortiz. I liked both of them and believe they are well qualified and knowledgeable. Dr. Corvala I believe has more experience with the plication and uses the Endoflip. Dr. Ortiz is super handsome though! I was going to go with Dr. Rodriguez because he also has a lot of experience, I believe he uses INT hospital and was more reasonable than either Dr. Corvala or Ortiz. Dr. Rod charges closer to 7K while Dr. C and Dr. O charge closer to 10K (for band removal and plication) I am actually having my surgery done here in California because my band is being replaced (via insurance) and I'm paying for the plication portion of the procedure myself. My band dr. here in Los Angeles would do a sleeve on me although he doesn't like them and does not recommend them because of the leaks and staple line problems. He is at Cedars-Sinai so I respect his opinion and think very highly of him so this led me to further research my options and luckily, I found out about plication. If you live near Utah or Ohio, Dr. Cottam or Dr. Watkins are also excellent and have been pioneers with the plication procedure (from what I've read on here). Good luck to you! genepha

Hi Patrick, I'm reposting some info from AmyN when someone asked about higher BMI patients. Dr. Watkins from cincyweightloss posts often so maybe he can answer your question. I remember reading plication is best for BMIs between 30-60. You can research on YouTube as well for gastric plication, Dr. Corvala, Dr. Cottam and Dr. Ortiz. You can contact the doctors and ask about acceptable BMI.. http://www.cincyweig...-procedure.html Weight Loss Surgeons | Salt Lake City, Utah http://www.angeleshe...ez-corvala.aspx Please let us know what you find out! Good luck~ genepha

Hi, I was considering Dr. Jose Rodriguez in Tijuana for my band to sleeve plication revision, however, my band replacement will be covered by insurance so I'm using a doctor here in California. I've used both Dr. Ariel Ortiz and Dr. Lopez-Corvala for band adjustments, although I didn't have my surgery with them. I found them both to be knowledgeable and well qualified. If you look on Youtube you will find lots of information for all three doctors. Hope that helps! PS - the price I was quoted were closer to 9K for band removal and sleeve plication. I think Dr. Rodriguez was about 8K. Good luck to you! genepha

Congrats! Hope you have a speedy recovery!

Hi Amy, While I haven't had the plication, I have had the lapband for 9 years. I had very little hair loss during my weight loss phase, I think maybe because it took me a good 2 1/2-3 years to lose about 110 lbs. I'm hoping that the plication will provide me with the same, steady weight loss as the band did as to help with hair loss. I'm supposed to be having my band replaced and the plication procedure done at the same time in December so I'll let you know. Good luck to you~ genepha

Hi, I'm on my phone so I can't go into great detail but I also have a band and I will be revising to a sleeve plication. My esophagus is dilated and if I have even the tiniest fill I have horrible acid reflux. I researched plication thru YouTube as there are several helpful videos. You can also visit Dr. Ariel Ortiz or Dr. Lopez-Corvala's websites for more helpful information. Dr Cottam and Watkins are in the US and I believe charge around 8-10K for the procedure. Tijuana is about 10K with plication and band removal. If you have insurance they may pay for band removal and then you just pay for the plication. Hope that helps! Good luck to you!!!

Hi I think your best bet is to do a google and Youtube search on gastric plication also known as gastric imbrication. Dr. Ariel Ortiz and Dr. Lopez-Corvala both of Tijuana have valuable information on their websites. There is also a gastric plication board on VerticalSleeve dot com. I'm deciding between plication and sleeve right now and am leaning more toward plication. Good luck to you in whatever path you choose. PS - FYI, if insurance is an issue then plication (as far as I know) is NOT covered under insurance.

Good luck Lisa!! Keep us updated on your progress.

I'm considering the gastric plication. From what I've read it does seem fairly successful but I think it might be an option especially for lower BMI patients. I'm not sure but this is what it seems like from some of the reports I've read and from a few of the doctors I've spoken with. I am deciding between sleeve and plication in addition to my band being replaced. Hopefully, the plication will be another option for people to consider. There really isn't enough long term data about the gastric plication, IMO, but from what I know about it, it does provide another option. Of course, I wish insurance would cover it. There are quite a few clinical trials right now on the plication so hopefully after the trials, more research will be available and the plication will eventually be covered by insurance. The best thing for me has been to do research and do what surgery feels most comfortable for me and my body.

Hi, I'm also a band to sleeve or sleeve plication patient. I have had the band for 9 years and did great the first 6-7 years. I also never really found the "sweet spot". I can't have a bypass so I'm looking at either the sleeve or most likely, sleeve plication. I found a lot of info about the sleeve on YouTube. There are quite a few people who are 3+ years out with the sleeve on there. Good luck with your revision.

After 4 long weeks of waiting, I am finally almost at the appt to see the plication dr! I found a dr here in Cali that has started doing them. As most of u know I have a band that may need to come out and in all honesty, I'm done with the whole lapband experience. I loved my band for a long time but I'm ready to have something that doesn't require the fills and unfills. I will post after my appt to let everyone know how the dr. and the experience were. genepha

I like Unjury flavorless to add to things like Crystal Light, puddings, and yogurt. I have also used Arbonne and like it but I'm not sure of their protein make-up so there might be better ones available. The easiest shake for me after I was banded or had fills was 1 cup of water or soy milk, plus 1 scoop chocolate Whey protein powder blended with a frozen banana.

Hi Karen, You should check out Carol's (CKNorte) blog. She has a lot of information on there. I believe it's http://mission-no-fat.blogspot.com/ Good luck to you and please keep us updated on your surgery and progress.

Still worried...wish we knew more.

Hi Kathy, I hope you make the decision that is best for you and your body. I also have the band and it needs to come out. My band is almost 10 years old so instead of having my band completely taken out, my dr. is going to replace it with a new band (depending on the shape my stomach is in once he's in there) but I'm keeping my new port and tubing and I'm either going to have a gastric plication or the sleeve. I haven't decided which way to go yet either. When I spoke with my band dr. he normally recommends the bypass but I'm unable to have that plus I wouldn't get it anyway if I could (I think). He doesn't recommend the sleeve and doesn't do many of them mainly because he thinks the leak rate is too high, even though he is a very skilled surgeon he doesn't like the sleeve. I went to a different bariatric dr. who is also very well-known in southern Cali and skilled and he also doesn't really recommend the sleeve. So now I'm really confused. I was leaning towards the sleeve but now that I know about the gastric plication, I am leaning more towards that. My main concern with the plication is that there is no long term data. The longest term data I could find was between 3-5 years out. I was very happy with my band until about 7 years out, so I'm not real comfortable with the limited amount of information as my own data would show good progress at 3-5 years out. Anyway - do lots of research, ask lots of questions and good luck to you. genepha

Dr. Watkins, Thank you so much for your post and the very valuable information. I am relieved to know that I won't be the first person in the world to have the band and plication done at the same time! As I stated previously, a lot will depend on what my dr. finds once he's actually performing the surgery, but I am so excited about the plication and feel that it is the best option for me. After doing countless hours of research and reading what I could find about the plication, I feel most comfortable with this option. Of course, insurance isn't an option yet but I'm hoping with data from those of us that will have (or have had) the procedure, that more people will benefit from this surgery. My dr. has stated that he wants to follow me closely as I will be his first band/plication patient. I appreciate all the information and advice that you have provided. Thanks! genepha

Hi all~ I was banded in Dec, 2001. My band either has to come out or be repositioned. I have had probably 40+ fills/unfills over the 9 years since being banded. Since I had 2 complete unfills while pregnant, I haven't been able to get adjusted properly. I've been having reflux and esophagus issues since about January. My doctors here in Los Angeles think the band either needs to come out or I need to have a new one placed. In all honesty, I am pretty much done with the band and fills/unfills, etc. I am unable to have a bypass although I probably wouldn't get one if that was my only option. I was considering the sleeve but my band dr. and another dr. I consulted with both have pretty strong reservations about the sleeve. They will do the sleeve if it's what I want but it will be a fight with my insurance company and I'm not completely sure that the sleeve is quite right for me. After tons of research (again) I've decided to have the gastric plication. The dr. that will most likely do the procedure said that I can have my band replaced as well as having the plication. I am nervous and excited as I didn't know this was an option. A lot will depend on what he finds once he is actually performing the surgery but, as of now I will most likely have a new band, repositioned and then the plication all in the same surgery. The reasoning behind keeping the band along with the plication is in case there is a problem with the plication, or I have difficulty with it, I can have my stomach unplicated and still keep the band or if my weightloss is stalling with the plication, it's possible to have a fill to make the plicated stomach smaller. I will keep everyone updated on my progress and if I truly can have a new band along with the plication. Thanks for listening! genepha