Betterbytheday

I called Dr. Cottam's office in SLC today inquiring about doing the Sleeve Plication for my best friend. I wanted to know what insurance he was able to get to cover it as he's one of the few US Drs. that performs it. His office told me that they have just recently had enough Sleeve people to convince Cigna and Aetna to begin coverage and that getting coverage on the Sleeve Plication would be years down the road. But then what he said blew my mind! He said in order to get more patients to have had Plication he was doing them completely for FREE on his services but the Hospital, room, Anesthesiologist etc. complete walk out the door price was $6375, but the work up was $500, which included a same day blood work and visit with Psychologist and all Administration costs.My Sleeve Plication cost more than that down in Tijuana, so before going to Mexico, if you're a self pay and want Plication, he's one of the leaders in the field, I just wished I'd know that....B

BlahBlah, Do let me know when and where you're having your surgery so I can cheer you on. If you're a coffee drinker and you go down to Mexico, bring liquid aspirin as it was hell getting anything for the headache I had by the third day without my morning coffee. Don't pack a lot as you won't need it, and you'll have to carry it afterwards... That's great about your Betty Page gig, she has lots of devoted fans so I'm sure you'll do well, and once your weight is down, you'll be booked solid. Keep us updated on your progress. BBTD

Dear Blah Blah, Please know that I never said that staples are the worst thing to do, I don't feel that way at all, I am actually encouraging my best girlfriend to get the vertical sleeve with the staples for she has to go through an insurance company and will have to wait years for the plication to be covered. After the initial healing is done there is very little difference in lifestyle between the two. I was not sure about the staples setting off alarms I just knew that I didn't want to take that chance as I couldn't undo it once done. Security is difficult enough without adding to it. That was a choice based on my work. Some people reject things in their body more than others, I had the band and other than the slip, I had absolutely no problems with it while others did. When I saw my flouro after the surgery I seemed to have a pouch at the top of my stomach rather than a straight up and down sleeve that looks like a stovepipe. What I think happened is that my Dr. just stitched the part of my stomach past where my band restricted and left the original pouch there. I can currently eat probably 2-3 oz more than those that were not revision or plications from what I've read on the site. This leads me to believe that my weight loss will be slower than usual, but I'm so new out (a month) I can't really establish a pattern. The comfort level is so much better than the band, you feel full but I haven't had the watery eyes, excess salivating wanting to throw up feeling I had with the band, so for that, I'm grateful. My choices on food are greater, I could eat no meat with the band, but that was because mine had slipped early on. I'm not a typical plication patient as I'm a revision. Perhaps there will be others on the forum that started with fresh stomachs, they would be the ones to really ask about it. Good luck on whatever you decide, BBTD

Thanks for the heads up on the study KabinKitty, please let us know when the results are made public if you find out.

Thanks for the info on the staples, I didn't feel I wanted to risk it even though it may or may not set off the machines (there are great variations in sensitivities), it was a personal choice I made as I knew it couldn't be undone if it did present problems, and I know what has to be done to alleviate the issue at security (presenting documentation, etc) and I was unwilling to risk that if I didn't have to. I wouldn't know about the zippers as our uniform's zippers are plastic and all the buttons have been switched from metal to plastic since the stepped up security. This shouldn't be a deciding factor for the general populace and nor was it THE deciding factor for me, I just felt the plication better suited my needs, and I stated why, that's all. There are many weight loss choices out there, we all have to find the right fit for our lifestyle and situation. Good luck on which ever one you choose.

KK, I can't take the chance that the metal would be detected as all the machines are calibrated differently. I set off he alarms the other day and held up my crew for over 5 minutes (that's lengthy for us when we need to show at the gate) and there was absolutely NOTHING causing it to go off but my bra wire. The machine in my home town is sooo sensitive you can't have anything metal on. More problematic than the machine is the wand, it would go off on me at the belly area I'm sure. For the occasional traveler or someone with some time on their hands this wouldn't present a problem, but our crews all wait for one another and I can't take that chance, then have to explain or show documentation (like those with rods and pins), it's just not something I care to do. Not all TSA personel are sticklers but with my luck, I'd find them. I don't know where the other doctors are (and I think one of them was only here temporarily). but Dr. Cottam has more than enough experience to suit me, good luck on what you decide to do. BBTD

Krystal, I opted for the plication as it didn't require removal of the stomach or staples, the staples could have possibly presented problems for me going through security at airports and I am a flight attendant, so that was definitely a concern. Dr. Cottam is one of only 3 American doctors doing the plication here in the states. If I had known about his pricing at the time of my surgery I would have DEFINITELY gone to him. As for my surgery done down in Mexico by Dr. Corvala, I feel his sutures are not as nice and neat as they could be, they're stitched and I prefer them glued as was done when I had the lapband. I am still on slider type foods and eating less but they are not necessarily light on calories, but I am not feeling the plication I had to be very tight, but the foods I'm eating currently are easily digestible and move through quickly. I will have to wait a bit to see really how much I can eat before feeling full. I'm sorry I haven't been much help to you in this but it's still early for me to see big results, I lost much weight on the liquids but not that I'm able to eat more substantial foods, I've stopped actually losing, which is alright for the time being but I'm hoping the weight loss resumes here soon. Let me know what you actually decide, I'll keep an eye out for your progress. B

Mellifrits, the super sleeve is not exactly the same thing as the Imbrecation or plication, please see Tiffykin's post above.Cavyguy, there are a few plication/imbrecations folks here on the forum but it's such a new procedure there aren't too many. Do a search then you can find them.I think the main difference is that it's reversible in theory but the truth is, I doubt I'll wake up one day and want to be heavy again. I'm sure to reverse it would be problematic due to scar tissue so chances of that happening are minimal.The "hunger" sensor in the stomach is taken out or certainly minimalized with the gastrectomy whereas with the plication it is completely left intact, that may prove to be problematic later on, I will have to see. (I'm only going by what I've read, those of you having had the VSG could tell you more about that)The main selling point of plication is its complication factors, quick healing, no staples, no possibility of leaking, etc. Once you've healed we're all the same here, I would imagine.So there, that's my two cents on the two procedures, let us know how you're doing with whatever you decide.BBTD

Thanks Tiffykins for the clarification as I couldn't figure out if there was excess removal and staples on the super sleeve. And hi to you MyWay and Neena, my surgery's right between the two of yours, May 27. There aren't many here on the forum that have had the plication so I'm glad to see ya'll. Wasn't the hospital in TJ simply gorgeous, and had great protocol too? (ie: each shift the leaving nurse would bring in her replacement and introduce her to you) I'm down quite a few pounds but I'm not surprised as I'm not eating but a bit. BBTD

Lolo's Neena, good luck with your Super Sleeve, I really can't figure out what exactly it is, do they cut the excess stomach and take it out or is it a super tight sleeve with the staples? Please let me know as I've been seeing it on the forum but am still not clear. Having had the lapband previously and tonight at 2 weeks post op I had my first bowl of chili with ground meat, it went down great and although I'm feeling full, with the band I really felt uncomfortable much of the time, the sleeve isn't giving me that feeling so I too, am greatly encouraged. I would bring my own liquid aspirin or tylenol if I were you, that little pill they give under the tongue didn't put a dent in my pressure headache from lack of coffee, good luck to you and keep us posted. BBTD

Phatcurves, congrats for deciding that you're removing yourself from that relationship. It will be uncomfortable but all of us on this website have decided that they want change in their life and more importantly, are taking action to produce that change. Your transformation will be like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon and that time alone during this transformation will allow you to enjoy it on an extremely personal level and not have to deal with outside drama as well as our "inside drama". I know you will find the new you and the new strength you never knew you had which will make you irresistable to your next love. Good luck each step of the way. B

Tiffykins, what an amazing transformation. You look so happy and comfortable in your new size, like it allowed the real you to emerge. You must be proud of yourself for healthily losing the weight, you're an inspiration to those of us just starting out.Congrats.B

From the video that I watched of Dr. Daniel Cottam on Youtube ([nomedia=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpmK8AdJEJU]YouTube- Failed Lap Band to Gastric Imbrication; A New Concept in Bariatric Surgery[/nomedia]) he takes a stitch from below then on from the top and then pulls them together, I think after the first "tuck" is done they do an additional one. You still have a bougee so they don't go too snug. I did see something on a surgery that they go in from the mouth and take little tucks vertically all around the stomach to decrease its size and there's no surgery from outside the body. Many things happening in this field, thank god.

Fewer and fewer companies are offering Major Medical insurance and even then there's no guarantee that you'll qualify. Getting any job right now is difficult and one with great medical is even harder. If you really want the surgery that bad, you may want get ANY job that pays decently (preferably one with tipping) and put aside the money and self pay. Dr. Cottam in Salt Lake is doing the Vertical Sleeve Plication (see it on youtube) for an out the door price of $6900, I know this as I called his office this last week, as my best friend's in your position. The plication has no staples, the stomach is folded in on itself and stitched, really safe and short recovery time. That's not unreasonable, and includes everything. He's one of the only surgeons doing Plication in the US and is a top surgeon to boot, he's trying to get a base of people to help get the plication covered by insurance. He's not charging for his actual surgery services to do this. It's a great opportunity. The actual cost is $6375 but there's a $500 blood work up and Admin costs. so I just rounded up to $6900 with the hotel cost on the front end. But that doesn't include Airfare but you can shop that and get it cheap. Everyone's finances are different but just thought I'd put that out there.

Do that, Wannalise, because she may not want to go so far as the staples, the stitching means that nothing is cut and taken out, it's only folded in on itself, reversible if need be, kind of like a french seam I would think. Dr. Cottam uses a stitching machine and the Mexico Dr. I had, didn't, he did it by hand. If she's a fresh stomach and not a revision like myself, she should have a very easy go of it. Being a flight attendant, I could have gone there late in the day, spent one night in our crew hotel, then would have done all my pre-op the day before then voila, the surgery done and all post would be covered as well. It's really $6375 but the pre op work up and hotel I factored in, to be safe.Often times Drs. and pilots, for that matter, have different personalities than those with more personable personalities, I am sooo fine with that, I'm not trying to court them I just want to come through the operation or the flight safe and sound, B

Before I had my procedure, I spoke with a gentleman that had the Sleeve Plication and he began eating real food after his first week. Can ya'll tell me what ya'll did as far as food is concerned. Yesterday at 5 days, I was feeling really weak so took some Progresso Lentil Soup and blended and diluted it and ate a shallow bowl of it with no trouble afterwards. When did ya'll go on real food and did you try it for say, one meal a day when you did introduce it? Tell me about it please, how and when you started with solids. Also, My scale is saying 200 when I was 213 a week ago, this can't be right, but I've shifted it around and let it rest, and it still reads 200 when I get back on it. Can one possibly lose this much in a week, I didn't drink much in the hospital but now I'm trying to drink Vitamin Water.

Phatcurves,Please pardon my frank nature but I call it the way I see it. And I see several things going on here.First, no one on earth could force me to eat solids this early out, not him, not anyone, you ate that food, it's not his fault. The sleeve will be just like the band I had previously, it will be a governor, and a cruel one at that. When you exceed its limits, you will pay. Second, if he simply forgot or didn't understand your limitations, that's one thing. But if, on the other hand, he tried to sabotage you, that's something you need to look at, and objectively. Is it because he likes the status quo? Wants you the way you are so you'll never leave him? Just wait until you REALLY start changing drastically, and feeling better about the way you look, become more outgoing and vivacious. When men really start to notice you, hell, he'll then offer you a barbed wire pie!When you change the dynamics in a relationship everyone has to redefine where they stand with it or it falls apart, chances are, you will probably end up tossing him aside as easily as you will your clothes that also no longer fit the new you. However, if you do allow him to be successful in sabotaging your effort to lose weight, you may cause a leak and have to go under the knife again and start the whole process over, or worse yet, risk your life ultimately. Ask yourself if this, or any guy, worth that?But there are some underlying red flags I see, one, your mentioning of fruits and nuts and the like, that's a month away from surgery unless the fruit is blended (by my post surgical protocol), so they're off the table for now in my life. So I'm seeing some behavior on YOUR part that's questionable at best as to whom is sabotaging whom?Your life is your responsibility, where you take it is your choice.Good luck and I wish you the best.B

Wannalise, I noticed you're from Utah, you may want to refer friends to Dr. Daniel Cottam. Here's my post about it.I called Dr. Cottam's office in SLC today inquiring about doing the Sleeve Plication for my best friend. I wanted to know what insurance he was able to get to cover it as he's one of the few US Drs. that performs it. His office told me that they have just recently had enough Sleeve people to convince Cigna and Aetna to begin coverage and that getting coverage on the Sleeve Plication would be years down the road. But then what he said blew my mind! He said in order to get more patients to have had Plication he was doing them completely for FREE on his services but the Hospital, room, Anesthesiologist etc. complete walk out the door price was $6375, but the work up was $500, which included a same day blood work and visit with Psychologist and all Administration costs.My Sleeve Plication cost more than that down in Tijuana, so before going to Mexico, if you're a self pay and want Plication, he's one of the leaders in the field, I just wished I'd know that....My friend can't go to him as she can't self pay at this time. The more people we have in the sleeve group the easier it will be for those after us. I'm so proud of your 50+ lbs. I will refer her to the forum, I have to run now, will check back.B

Wannalise, Thanks for the tuna tip, I'm still on week two with Boost Vitamin protein drink, and creamed soups. I'm trying to get some way for my best friend to have this surgery, she really needs it as has been recently diagnosed with Diabetes. Dilema is that she could probably get her insurance to cover it but she doesn't want the staples for some reason. Well, they're playing hell just getting insurance to cover the sleeve, it's a long way off until it covers the plication surgery. Tell me, can you feel anything different inside, are you okay with the staples and was your recover difficult? Please advise so I can tell her.B

That does help and was sort of my plan, mushies being things like tuna salad? Egg salad, that kind of thing? Plicationer was my way of referring to those whom have had sleeve plication. Instead of the staples, they fold the stomach in on itself then stitch it like that forming two seams, if I understand it correctly. No staples, no leaks possible so I am wondering if the eating protocol is the same, there's swelling but not needing to seal the edge of the removed stomach. I'm a revision too, from band to sleeve plication. This is a new procedure, only having been done for around a year. You can youtube the actual procedure which is quite interesting. Thanks for the tips.

Hi Tiffy, I'm at one week tomorrow and you're right about the scar tissue, there was a lot of it and my Dr. was exhausted after my operation. They said they had to cut through it and it caused bleeding and a small, but expected complication. The next day on the Flouro, the impression I got was that the original band pouch seemed to be there then it narrowed out all the way down from there. I don't know if that's the shape of other's stomachs that aren't revisions, I can only speak for mine.

I'm not sure how the determine how much room you'll have but was told by my Drs. about a bougee, some sort of tube placed in the stomach for the surgery to make sure it can't be too tight. Perhaps others can verify this.