Gastric Sleeve Plication Surgery, Laparoscopic Greater Curvature Plication (LGCP), is a newer & experimental weight loss surgery option that has been around for 10 years now. Like gastric sleeve gastrectomy, sleeve plication helps people who have problems with obesity to lose weight permanently. This surgery uses a restrictive technique to limit the amount of food the stomach can hold, thus resulting in weight loss.
How Does Sleeve Plication Work?
As a restrictive technique, the stomach is folded in and sutured vertically thereby reducing its capacity. A tube is passed through the stomach orally for calibration. Then the stomach is folded into itself using two layers of sutures. The first folding is performed on the outer edge of the stomach. Then, the second layer further reduces its volume to adhere to the calibration tube. The tube is removed and the result mimics a long gastric tube with 10% of the stomach’s original capacity.
The surgeons here perform the plication surgery as a laparoscopic procedure. First, they make around five to six incisions in the abdomen using varieties of cameras and medical equipment to assist them.
- The Gastric Sleeve Plication Surgery reduces the stomach size by about 80%
- Due to the laparoscopic techniques used, patients recover faster and have fewer complications
- This surgery doesn’t require the use of restrictive devices or removing stomach tissues
Understanding the Gastric Plication Procedure
Gastric plication uses laparoscopic techniques resulting in faster recovery and less scarring than open surgery. The hospital stay is typically 24 to 48 hours. Recovery times may vary, but patients can generally return to work and normal activities within seven to 10 days.
What are the Advantages of Sleeve Plication?
Through the use of non-absorbable sutures, there is less surgery time. There is also less recovery time needed – only two nights at the hospital. There is no external object, such as staples or bands and fills, used in this procedure. Since no part of the stomach is removed the hormones produced naturally are preserved.
What are the Disadvantages of Sleeve Plication?
Sleeve Plication is very appealing, but it lacks long term results. For one thing, the hormones responsible for increasing appetite is not decreased with this procedure as it is in sleeve gastrectomy. One of the biggest problems with sleeve plication is leaks through the sutures.
Risks
- Leaks from sewed up area (requires revisional surgery)
- There may be the separation of stitched up area (requires revisional surgery)
- Vomiting
- Nausea
Cost of Sleeve Plication Surgery
The average cost of gastric bypass surgery depends on where you have the surgery, hospital, and surgeons. The cost of gastric bypass can range from $4,000 to $23,000. When people choose to have this surgery abroad they can save themselves thousands (Mexico Bariatric Surgery costs about 1/5 to 1/3 the cost of the United States).
| Country | Price |
|---|---|
| Mexico | $4,000 – $5,000 |
| United States | $15,000 – $23,000 |
| Canada | $15,000 – $21,000 |
| Australia | $13,500 – $15,000 |
| India | $9,500 – $11,000 |
| Thailand | $10,500 – $12,000 |
| Costa Rica | $9,500 – $11,000 |
Sleeve Plication Complications
All surgeries of any kind carry some sort of risks. For sleeve plication, the stitches can have leakages if not stapled properly and nausea and vomiting may occur. This surgery is still considered fairly new in the bariatric industry and there are still tons of research to be done.
The main complications that occur for Sleeve Plication:
- Stomach Leakage: If the staple lines are not sowed/stapled properly, stomach fluids may leak out, causing discomfort and additional cost for another surgery
- Nausea
- Vomiting