Laparoscopic greater curvature plication, also known as gastric sleeve plication or gastric imbrication, is becoming more popular among patients interested in weight loss surgery because of its reputation as a restrictive bariatric surgical technique. The official medical term might be a mouthful, but a literal translation of each word actually explains the whole process: Laparoscopic (with the use of laparoscopy), Greater Curvature (the part of the stomach), and Plication (folding) – folding the greater curvature part of the stomach with the use of laparoscopy.
With the latest technological advancements in science and medicine, bariatric surgeons are now able to access the inside of the abdomen without having to cut long incisions.
Many people compare this surgery approach to gastric sleeve surgery. The major difference is that gastric sleeve surgery involves removing part of the stomach to leave only a small part of it, while greater curvature plication only involves folding a part of the stomach to achieve the same results.
Gastric band surgery (or lap band surgery) entails a band placed in the upper part of the stomach. This band is connected to a port accessible on the abdomen, where saline fills are injected to adjust the band and continually reduce the circumference of that part of the stomach. Greater curvature plication patients do not have to worry about having a port implanted on their abdomen, or going to a lap band fill center every few months to have their bands adjusted.
While lap bands are deemed even less minimally-invasive, some patients have been known to be quite dissatisfied with the rate of weight loss after surgery.
Desired results are the same as with other weight loss surgery methods: restricting food intake and content in the stomach by reducing its size. In the surgery, the surgeon invaginates (folds inwards) the greater curvature of the stomach and uses rows of stitches on the edges to secure the fold. This lessens the surface area of the stomach without having to cut away a part of it.
According to a Bariatric Times study of Ramos, et al, the average surgery time for laparoscopic greater curvature plication surgery was 55 minutes, with patients staying in the hospital for an average of 36 hours.
You should consider undergoing gastric plication if:
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