Unexpected Complication from Vertical Sleeve Plication

I'm very sorry for what you went through!
I'm very glad you're now feeling better, you're in good health and spirits and sharing this story with us.

You poor thing! I had never heard of this complication and it never occurred to me. I am pre-op and have looked into both the VSG and the plication. I've settled on the VSG, and now I'm more convinced it's the right thing. The plication is not as worry-free as it's cracked up to be. Thanks!

thanks for sharing  and glad your better.

 Thanks for sharing such great details, Alexa. It is awesome that you found such a fantastic organization in Missouri Bariatric Services to address your complication!! I hope this is the last problem you encounter with your surgery.

What an awesome attitude you have towards this. Kudos!
-Roo

Wow what a horrible time - so sorry you had to go through that. Your new doctor said that they original procedure was done incorrectly? That could be why your problem wasn't listed under known complications as it may not occur when the procedure is done the right way.

Good luck with your recovery!!

So sorry you are going through this.

I really hate it when doctors and coordinators make it sound like plication is so simple and safe, it is not. Sleeves are the safest surgery type long term.

I'm also not sure why they are telling you they haven't heard of this before. I was just talking to a bariatric surgeon yesterday about this. He's in Arizona. I asked him about plication and he flat out refuses to do it for the very reason you posted. So now when people ask about plication vs. sleeve I am going to add your (apparently well known) complication to my reasons for sleeves over plication.

I couldn't see how you could scope someone with plication, he said you can. The stomach isn't folded in the way I thought it was. It ends up being like a lip on the inside of your stomach, you can see the top of the lip and the bottom. He said the biggest concern with plication, and the reason he won't do them, is because it can easily cut off the blood supply to the stomach. He said that the stomach, as we all know, has a HUGE blood supply. Many of the key blood vessels are on the left side of the stomach. The left side of the stomach is what is plicated. The risk for cutting off the blood supply is great with plication. Thus, he refuses to do the procedure.

I am so sorry you had to experience this but I am thrilled that you came here and shared your story.

Would you mind cross posting this to the failed WLS forum? I know you didn't fail your surgery but that is where newbies go to look for issues in their surgery type.

BTW, you'll find another plicated person that is currently posting there.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/failed_wls_second_time_around/

THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing you story.  I have been trying to decide between plication and VSG.  This settles it.  I have been googling and searching and there are so few patients that are posting their experiences.  Thanks again! 

OMG!!! That is horrific complication and had never heard of plication surgery before. To me, (I just read up on it), to roll up part of an organ and stitch it seems like a disaster waiting to happen.  I am so happy that you found doctors who has helped you now and in the future. Hopefully, you will continue to recover with great results.

 Hello everyone!   I have an update.   I went to see the surgeon who did my repair surgery at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, MO.  He basically told me that as long as I was doing well now there was no reason to consider any further treatment.  When I asked him if he knew anything about the likelihood of another perforation he said he did not know.  What disturbed me was that when I asked about the possibility of revision to another surgery or reversal, he told me that from what he saw when he did my repair surgery any revision or reversal would be extremely dangerous because of all the scar tissue that has formed around the plication.
  Now, I expected there to be some scar tissue, that would be natural.  However, one of the things that I was told that sold me on the plication procedure was that it could be reversed or revised because the stomach tissue stays in place and stays healthy.  From what my repair surgeon is telling me, this is not the case.
  He also told me something else that bothered me.  He said that in the illustrations and videos he's seen of the plication procedure the suture line is very neat and straight.  When he saw my stomach during my repair surgery, he noted that the suture line was jagged and that the upper part of the stomach was very red, swollen and angry.  I'm not sure yet what this means for me. In conclusion, I'm going to try to get a referral to Washington University in St. Louis or maybe the Cleveland Clinic where Dr. Watkins practices.  I need a surgeon who has either seen this procedure, worked with someone who has had it, or is willing to consult with someone who knows about this procedure.  I'm getting none of that from my current surgeon.  All I'm getting from my current surgeon is basically that if I'm doing ok now, then doing nothing from here on out is the best option.  I want to know more about my options and risks from this point forward.  Let me know if anyone has any advice or feedback for me.

Lexy

I am so sorry that you had to go through that.  I just recently heard of the plication.  I looked it up on line.  I am a very visual person.  As soon as I imagined the procedure in my head, I immediately began thinking of all of the complications that could arise.

I hope you get the answers that you deserve and are able to make a full recover with no further complications.

Take care