oliviam

If it helps any, I called OCC really open to any of the WLS and they said plication is really the best that's out there. The patient coordinator Lori was banded but she said if she were having WLS now she would have done plication. While the band can and does work, I think the plication gives you all the benefits and less of the complications although I don't have a band and am only going off of what I've read from others on this site. I think most on this site are happy with their plications. I have only seen a few who aren't, and by a few I think two. As ktb said, many banders are going back for revision surgeries. I do not want to go through this process again that's for sure! I am scheduled for plication on the 16th so I'll let you know how it goes. At the end of the day, I think that all of these WLS options are highly effective. You'll notice a common theme for many of the posters, whatever surgery they've had or have chosen sorta becomes their tunnel vision, it becomes difficult to be objective. The same applies to me, I am convinced plication is right for me so it becomes difficult to recommend anything else, but I have to remember that it may not be for everyone. It's really going to be up to you and your research to feel comfortable.

I too originally planned on getting the band but soon realized that plication is a much better option for me, although there are lots of people who have had success with the band. The band seems to have a high rate of slippage, which is basically when a part of the lower stomach gets caught up in the band. This can cause all sorts of problems. Many people on this site who have had the band are now going back to have revision surgery. The band also has lots of food intolerances and things like sliming and or throwing up. The plication has zero food intolerances and there is not an issue of slippage or sliming. Plication is less invasive than say, gastric bypass or VSG, but has the same weight loss which is an awesome plus! I am scheduled to have the plication done at OCC with Dr. Ortiz on Wednesday, so I'll let you know how it goes! Good luck with your decision.

That means Chronic Fatique Syndrome, sometimes comes when one has chronic back pain......car accident in 2001, that's when my weight went totally out of control, up till then it was a struggle. So when my energy is up like right now, I am sooo happy...and need to watch I don't deplete it as can happen. Don't you leave shortly for your turn at OCC?

Oh! That make sense now. Yes! I leave on Tuesday morning. I am supposed to have pre op tests on Tuesday and surgery on Wednesday. I emailed them today to see if I could possible have the tests and surgery all in the same day since I am getting in so early on Tuesday. Fingers crossed they say yes!

At OCC they did a barium on the last day there, so you could see you're new and smaller stomach. I still don't feel like I had a surgery, with one huge exception, I can only take in small volumes at a time. So I set a timer on my watch so I have something ever 4 hours while I'm awake and I have water going all the time, sipping only, as any gulping leads to gas. Oh the gas, at 2.5 weeks out, only time I notice gas is if I consume anything too fast. I have also noticed I have a ton more energy too. for me that's a huge bonus as CFS can wear on ya. Cheers, K:)

CFS?

They did not tell me to get Xrays, but I wonder if she had a band before or something?

Yes she did have a band before maybe that's why. Did they tell you to see your U.S. doctor for anything in the future?

Thanks Boopsie! Be sure and let us know how you are progressing! What did they tell you to do for follow up care with your doctor in the states? Genepha on here is having an xray two weeks after her surgery and wondered if they told you to do the same thing.

Hi, I had my plication surgeon on Jan 27, so just 2 weeks out. It's not so much restriction, it just takes very little for me to feel full. For example...1/2 cup creamy soup and I am satisfied with a sense of being full. I also eat about every 3-4 hours which is exactly how we 'should' be eating. Of course I have already planned my first solid meal.

Poached salmon, mashed carrots and turnips(my fav veggie combo) and an even smaller amount of mashed potatoes. As far as I can tell soft foods means food that doesn't require a lot of chewing like beef or pork or chicken, that comes a bit later. I will say I wasn't expecting restriction as say one would expect from a lap band(I never had one, that is based on what I have had heard others with a lap band talk about). What I wanted was another tool to downsize the portions of food I would eat, and not be left feeling hungry. And so far that's exactly what has happened. I also know right now my goal is to let my stomach heal, and not eat things that will stretch out my new stomach size. I do rememeber being told any damage I do to my stomach in the first 6 months wouldn't be seen right a way. It would show up 12-18 months down the road. So I am very concious of this when I start to think about menu planning from next week on. Hope this answers your query. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer or you can email me at ktbaillargeon@gmail.com Cheers, Katie

Hi Katie!

How much weight have you lost?

I had the sleeve plication instead of the lapband with a designated weight loss of approximately 60 pounds.

When did you have it done Samantha? How did it go?

Have you guys been on this website http://gastricplication.org/. It has plenty of information!!!

Isn't gastricplication.org a arm of this website?

Thanks girls! Did you each have to do this liquid protein thing too? How's your results after the surgery?

I am scheduled to have surgery on the 16th with Dr. Ortiz and I am doing the 9 day pre op diet of only protein shakes an green veggies. I am already freaking out and it is day 1! I can't imagine not eating anything for 9 days! Any tip on how to get through this period?

Surgery all done.....what a great experience. The OCC clinic is the cleanest hospital setting I've ever been in. Everyone is so professional, and interested only in your best care. I've had lots of IVs over the years, and they have always been nasty and left bruises, but not this time. OCC's surgical nurse is wonderful, and how she managed to put my IV in painlessly and I had no bruising, amazing, simply amazing. On day of surgery I was sort of out of it, by the next day on discharge, myself, my partner, and two other couples(us gals had Plication surgery) went exploring to see if TJ Walmart is the same there...yup, it's the same, just in Spanish. Heads up, you must have Pesos or your credit card to shop, as US$ are not taken. There are a few things I took with me that help a lot. A plastic baby spoon, no way one can gulp(and get stomach cramps), a thermos, made sure I had broth available all the time. We stayed at the Marriot, a wonderful place, their chicken broth is amazing, BUT, only at night.............the morning broth resembles dish water, so I would have the thermos filled at night and it kept me going until the good broth was available the next evening. I also took GasX strips with me. Not sure how anyone does, but all three of us had lots of gas. We burbed and rooty-tooted out way through the whole time. I also found out that you can take a full thermos of broth through security at the airport. Just tell them you have had WLS and that this is all you can consume. Also, I used the airline's wheel chair service, made getting through security and to the gate super easy. Hope this helps someone. I noticed this morning I'm down 5 pounds since surgery and 16lbs since starting pre surgery diet. OCC is awesome, recommend it to everyone.

Hi KTB! What was your pre surgery diet? I am scheduled for plication on the 16th and just started the 9 day plan.

Thanks Tina! I asked you a questions on another thread because I thought it had said you had the surgery 5/2010 rather than December 5th and I was concerned when I saw that you had only lost 25lbs since May! Now I see I was mistaken. Still though, how are things going now for you though. Are you finding that you have to diet pretty strictly to keep losing?

I had the Plication done on the 5th of Dec. 2010. Today is January 25. Day of surgery I weighed 211 and now I weigh 190. I do wish the results were a little better but for the first few weeks, I was loosing 5 pounds a week. So I think your body just has to take a break and just heal, and relax. This is a big change. I eat pretty much whatever I want to eat, just in smaller amounts. I do try to stay away from the things I know are horrible for me. I believe dieting never worked for me because I would starve myself from the foods you crave sometimes...then when you grab it you really go to town and over eat. Now I treat myself to small portions and I'm satisfied. I origionally was going for the band and ended up choosing plication because of the fills. I live far away from any place that could fill and it would've been a ordeal to go back and forth. So I wanted a more permantent option...but the least complicatied. I had pain the first 24hrs, especially on my left side and that's common. I flew back 2 days after surgery...6hr flight and I wore jeans....I was fine. If you're concerned about discomfort ask the Doctors to give you something for your journey. My cuts never were an issue, didn't even really notice them . Go with your heart and do what you know you've wanted for years, there's nothing to be worrysome about. It was a wonderful experience and I would do it all over again. Hope this helps.....Tina

Hi Turtle2741! Just curious, have you been satisfied with your weight loss? You seem to be one of the ones who has had the surgery the longest and I am wondering if you're finding it easier to lose weight that before the surger.

I had the gastric plication done with Dr. Ortiz on Dec. 5/2010. I'm doing fine and have lost 21lbs. Started at 211 now at 190. The surgery was fine, some discomfort for the first 24hrs. I flew home 6hrs total and wore jeans. I think plication is the way to go and you have no worries. I didn't know that Canada was aproved either. That's great as long as you research your doctor. Good luck and congrats on making the decision!

I am scheduled for GPS with Dr. Ortiz on the 16th! I am planning on starting pre op on the 7th of February, right after my 30th birthday. I can't remember what I am supposed to do with the nine day pre op diet!

I had plication surgery done Jan 7, 2011. A friend had a lap band installed a few years ago and she first mentioned to me the possibility of OCC when I discovered my insurance would cover absolutely nothing regarding any bariatric surgeries or health issues resulting from any. I was dejected and depressed until she mentioned OCC and I thought she was nuts for having gone to Mexico. I did the research and felt this was my last option.

I made very fast arrangements, less than a month I believe. I arrived thinking I would be having lap band surgery until, from the much time spent waiting in the waiting area of OCC and listening to various people coming in for various appointments, I began thinking that there was a lot of maintenance associated with lap bands. I kept looking at the sign advertising for plication. I made the switch literally moments before surgery.

I was nervous but determined and my fears were unfounded. Although I felt Dr. Ortiz to be a little car salesmanish he is very competent and self assured. I would have liked for him to be a bit more personable. I doubt he'll have any recollection of me in any way other than just another surgery and I doubt even that. However, he's good at what he does and my surgery was no exception.

A word of warning:) I was apparently awake and alert and talking very shortly after surgery but remember nothing of it. My husband says we had multiple conversations, he brought my toothbrush, went to Applebee's for food and I remember absolutely nothing about any of it. In fact I don't remember getting dressed the following day or heading back to the hotel.

So here I am nine days after surgery and feeling pretty good. I've had moderate weight loss compared to what we've all come to expect but honestly I'd rather lose it slower and give my skin a bit more opportunity to adjust. I began at 217 and am down this morning to 211. I lost fairly quickly to 212 and then stuck there for a few days. I've heard that for about a week or so after surgery weight loss is light while your body recovers and I would say that's true. Now I'm expecting to see changes on the scale every day or every other day. I also heard that most people aren't hungry the week after surgery. After the icky pre-op diet:0 I found that not to be true. I was quite hungry but juice seemed to satisfy me pretty well. My abdomen has been sore at the incision sites. The biggest challenge is learning to read the signs of a new stomach and know when enough is enough. I've learned now after only nine days that's it better to quit before you feel uncomfortable:)

I haven't followed the post-op diet entirely. I followed the liquid portion for 4 days and then began blending soup. Where previously I could easily put down a can of Chunky Cambell's along with bread or crackers, liquefied I can eat about 1/4 cup before being quite full. I went out to eat and had chicken breast day 6. I ate about a piece about the size of a chicken tender, made a conscious effort to chew far longer than I have in the past and not to wash my food down with drink. I didn't have any problems but have continued to try to keep as much as possible to the post-op diet because I feel better when doing it. I bought the children's drinkable yogurt and found it to be exactly the right size for breakfast. I also bought a magic bullet and I can't recommend it enough. As someone who had sleeve surgery told me, " It's indispensable, you can blend anything in a magic bullet", and she's right. I recommend you get one before you come home so all your ducks are lined up and you're ready to go. Mine came from Amazon and took 7 days to arrive.

In closing I have had a lot of gas which I attribute to all the juice. Something I never drank prior to surgery. It's very uncomfortable. I also experience a recurring, painful pressure sensation that begins about midway between my bellybutton and my diaphragm and pushes upward into my chest. I don't know if it's leftover gas from surgery, something my stomach might be doing (sometimes it's alleviated with drinking or eating a little something) or what exactly. It's more prevalent when I lay down for bed and sometimes if I prop myself more upright in bed it alleviates it. Walking before bed makes me feel better but doesn't really change the frequency or painfulness of the sensation. Over all I'm very happy both with my decision to go to OCC, the staff is warm and friendly, and I'm very happy with my choice of surgery. I would highly recommend both.

How are you doing now? What is your weight loss, any more complications?

Hello I had the plication done by Dr Ortiz with the OCC, I also live in NJ, The flight is long but not bad. Going to Tijuana u don't have to get out of the van,Just when u coming back to the US It's about 5 mimutes walk if that not bad at all.good luck to u I know everything will be alright.

Hi Lena!

I am having the GPS with Dr. Ortiz on the 16th of February and I am wondering if you were happy with him. Any complications after surgery?

I'm having mine done on the 15th of Feb so keep me posted on how you're doing!

So.....I am scheduled for the surgery on February 16 and so excited although I can't help but wonder if this, like everything else I've tried, won't be successful for me. I saw that many of you have had your surgery a month ago or longer and I'm just wondering what kind of results you are seeing. I keep reading that this is "a tool and not a magic wand" but part of the reason I am having this surgery is because I have been unable to use "tools" in the past. Can anyone tell me if you find it easier to exhibit willpower with the plication or is the struggle the same as it was before? Any advice is so appreciated!!!!