Gastric Plication | International Patient Facilitators

GASTRIC PLICATION

The newest weight-loss procedure to be introduced is known as Gastric Sleeve Plication.

Gastric Sleeve Plication, also referred to as Greater Curvature Plication (GCP), is a bariatric surgery procedure that uses the restrictive technique to achieve weight loss. The surgery, performed laparoscopically, is very similar to gastric sleeve surgery in the restriction of the stomach. Gastric plication is a less invasive weight loss procedure than gastric sleeve – there is no cutting, stapling or bypassing the intestines.

The gastric plication surgery starts with placing the laparoscope and the instruments through small incisions in the abdomen to reach the stomach. The calibration tube is orally passed through the stomach. Non-dissolvable sutures is used to fold the stomach into itself thus allowing a smaller capacity. The first folding is performed along the outer edge of the stomach. The second folding reduces the size of the stomach to about 85% of its original size. This reduction in stomach capacity allows patients to feel fuller faster, thus inducing weight loss. Gastric sleeve plication is a new procedure that hasn’t been studied in the same extent as gastric bypass or even gastric sleeve surgery.

Dr.Verboonen is proud to be one of the first surgeons in Mexico to offer a new weight loss procedure called GPS (Gastric Plication Surgery).

The GPS Procedure involves reducing the stomach volume by imbricating and stitching (plicating) the stomach wall reducing it to the size of a narrow tube. This surgery emulates the sleeve gastrectomy but doesn’t involve any cutting or stapling of the stomach. Your natural stomach remains; it is simply imbricated on itself so that the stomach volume is reduced.

The GPS Procedure is now the lowest cost weight loss operation available because it doesn’t require expensive medical devices. Early results show GPS weight loss equivalent to the sleeve gastrectomy which is similar to the gastric bypass. GPS patients say they feel full on small amounts of food. The GPS procedure has no malabsorption like gastric bypass and no need for a port or adjustments like gastric banding.

Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) held in September 2010 (“Gastric Plication: A New Option in Obesity Surgery”) demonstrate lower risk of complication and weight loss results faster and more intense than gastric banding, comparable to weight loss rates observed for gastric bypass, i.e. 70%+ excess weight loss 12 months post-procedure.

A less invasive evolution of the gastric sleeve procedure, plication is an ambulatory procedure – no surgical drains, only 2 nights total hospital stay!
No loss of stomach tissue – the ‘sleeve’ is created by suturing rather than removal (preserving nutrient absorption capability)Diagram.
No devices – no staples, no bands, no fills.
Reduced risk of early or late complications.
No complication from leaks or bleeding at the staple line (as compared to gastric sleeve).
Does not impair patient dietary habits.
Early data (patients at 6-12 months post procedure) indicate resultant weight loss is comparable to gastric bypass.