Lap band with Gastric Imbrication

Anyone heard of this new procedure called the gastric imbrication???

Do you mean LB with Plication?

Lisa O.

I used google and found that it is not something done with a lap band. it is more like a new way of doing the sleeve, except instead of removing the excess stomach it is folded up in some fashion. On the plus side, it is apparently reversible and it also allows the surgeon to precisely determine the size of the sleeve. On the not plus side, I believe part of the sleeve prodecudre is the reduction of the ghrelin hormone produced by the stomach tissue itself, which this surgery would not accomplish since no stomach tissue is removed.

With the 'folded in and sutured' portion of the stomach, there is a significant chance of atrophy ----- and the idea that it is reversible is not always true.

My doc says that there is  a reasonable chance that the tissue that is folded in will never return to normal and the patient is possibly left with tissue that is in effect dead.

More research is needed -- and longer term results, if you ask me.

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/health/medical_breakthroughs/a- new-method-in-weight-loss:-gastric-imbrication-

http://www.texasgastricbanding.com/gastric-imbrication.php

Looks like it is not yet fully FDA approved and so would not be covered by insurance.