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Gastric plication Surgery or Gastric Pleat . (Also sometimes called Gastric Imbrication Surgery)

Gastric Imbrication is a very new type of weight loss surgery. Dr. Fusco is among the first surgeons in Florida to offer this surgery. This surgery works similar to other gastric (stomach) restriction operations where the stomach is reduced in size which makes patients feel full after eating less food and helps decrease hunger. Gastric plication is most similar to sleeve gastrectomy. With sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve surgery) a large portion of the stomach is removed which results in a long staple line closing the remaining stomach. Occasionally this staple line can leak which can lead to major postoperative complications. With gastric plication there is no stomach removal. Instead the stomach is folded inward and sutures are used to reduce the size of the stomach similar to the way a tailor would "take in" a dress or pair of pants. Since there is no staple line, it is thought that this operation will result in a lower chance of postoperative leak.

Advantages:

• Good early weight loss (small amount of two year data)
• Theoretically, should lead to a lower leak rate
• No implanted device (foreign body) - making this operation an option for patients that can not have a lap-band because of chronic infection or erosion.
• Like Lap-Band, the surgery is done using minimally invasive techniques allowing for outpatient surgery with rapid recovery.

Disadvantages:

• Very new so significant uncertainty surrounding rates of complications and long term results
• Not adjustable: Similar to gastric bypass and gastric sleeve (which are also not adjustable).
• May have a higher rate of long term weight regain as is sometimes seen with the above operations.
• Unclear as to whether there is an acceptable operative salvage strategy.
• Since the procedure is new, the cost of gastric plication is not covered by health insurance. (a package cost with all routine care for a year is available with financing options available)

Common symptoms after surgery: Patients may experience nausea, vomiting, food intolerance, excess salivation, heartburn or chest pain. This may happen within the first 24 hours post-op. The procedure is done as an outpatient, but patients may need to come to the office for a few days to have intravenous fluids administered. Patients are required to come to the office monthly for the first year then yearly after that.

As with any weight loss surgery, the surgery is just a tool to decrease the amount of hunger so that patients can eat less, be more active, and make significant behavioral and lifestyle changes required to have successful sustained weight loss. To assist our patients in making these changes, LifeShape has developed a comprehensive multidisciplinary support program.

Please Note: The Gastric Plication is considered an experimental surgery and is only available if the patient consents to be enrolled in our registry study. Study participants must consent to have there progress monitored by the Melbourne Same Day Surgery Data Management and Safety Board.

Not meant as a substitute for consultation with your doctor. Please read the disclaimer. Copyright 2002 to 2011 Mark Fusco All rights reserved