Need Feedback on possible LB/Plication revision

I had my lapband done in 2006.  I had some success, but have been in limbo the past few years with it.  After suffering with herniated disks most of last year and unable to exercise for over 6 months I gained most of the weight back.  I could just never get back to the sweet spot I'd achieved in the first year.  It was one more fill I shouldn't have had back then that started the yo-yo of trial and error. Mostly error. 

Now my doctor is suggesting this new gastric plication, in which the stomach is folded in on itself and sewn.  He first suggested it back in December and I decided against it.  But now I face having to find a new job looking like this fat lump and am afraid if I don't shape up (no pun intended) I won't be able to get another job in my company. 

We set the surgery for the plication for May 30th and my insurance approved yesterday and now I'm having cold feet again. 

I have searched the web and one of the things that popped up at me was this isn't recommended for patients with a BMI over 50.  I am about at 55.  I have a good surgeon, but I did send this information to his office with my concerns.  Haven't heard back yet, but I want to hear as much feedback from others here.

He insists there is a great weight loss with this and yet I read a few complaints on plication sites where people loss the same amount as with the lapband.  A few really disappointed with the amount of weight loss.  Also I'm concerned how the folds of the stomach can be turned in on itself and yet not get food trapped in the folds??? 

Any thoughts, feelings, impressions or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I guess I want to be talked out of this, don't I?

I wish I had stayed on this board, perhaps my journey would have turned out better.  Have to admit when the fear of not being employed past June hit me, I literally couldn't eat more than a cup of food a day!!!  I have lost 14 lbs in the past 9 days.  Of course now that the fear has passed, my appetite has returned. 

I am led to believe that plication also somehow kills your appetite and yet I don't find that in searching the internet.

Sorry for this LONG post.  Thank you for reading!!!

Patrice M. 

I think you need to research plication more before you jump into it.  I never considered it, but these are some of the issues I've seen come up with it:

The tissue of the folded stomach strangulates itself, cutting off the blood supply to the stomach tissue.  Tissue dies = big problem.

Because the stomach isn't removed, there's no reduction of the hunger hormone, ghrelin, so you have less chance of a reduced appetite.

It's not really reversible.  Once the stomach is folded and stapled, it can be undone, but your stomach is never going to be the same.

At your BMI, research the duodenal switch, the RNY, or the sleeve.  I think any one of them would be a better choice than plication.

Is your lap band still in good condition? If so, have you thought about starting over?

Yes, it is still in good condition.  The port never moved and can be accessed.  I was having a lot of problems with being too tight and throwing up so we removed most of the liquid.  Then slowly began putting it back in.  I am pretty much leaning against doing this plication.  Especially reading it isn't for someone with more than 100 lbs to lose, and that's me. 

Yes, Yes, Yes to what emelar said.

I would never let them do a plication on me --- if I am going to lose much of my stomach, I would prefer a VSG to remove it and the ghrelin element as well.

The stories of necropsy of tissue are scary -- Actually, I have a hard time believing that insurance will pay for it.

I agree with all of the above.  If it's not going to remove that ghrelin, why bother?  And it still bothers me that they invert the stomach. I can't believe it is a simple procedure. 

I believe it was approved by my insurance because it was submitted as a revision, but it does state plainly on there is is lapband revision/gastric plication. 

I am not going to have it.  I called my doctor and made an appt. to go in for a fill next week and really work the band as hard as I can.  When the thought of eating made me sick to my stomach the past 10 days (at the thought of having to job search again after 4 years at my company, with my current job ending by July) I seem to have conquered cravings and nipped the appetite in the bud for now.  I am satisfied with very small meals and I'm actually sticking to protein and not being bored.  I'm actually in the frame of mind to eat just enough to satisfy me and not pig out!

Thanks to those who have posted.  I do think this plication is a very strange procedure. 

Try starting over. You did good then, put your mind back in the place as why you did this and start your eating patterns over. Don't forget to get on to MyFitnessPal or something to log everything you at and your exercise so that you can really see what is happening.

Good luck. You have a good group here to help you!

Thanks, SueBee, BTW your dog is cute.  Reminds me of a dog I once had.  He was a ****er spaniel poodle mix. 

Thanks! Buddy is a Labradoodle, 95 pounds worth!

So glad to see you decided against this ridiculoius surgery! I don't know how anyone came upwith this but it is about as useless as the band in my personal opinion. If a person is gonna have their stomach folded they may as well just go VSG. I'd be terrified what would happen to all that folded over skin. Just seems like a crazy surgery to me.