What is gastric plication?

Gastric plication is a type of bariatric, or weight loss surgery. It is a restrictive procedure, meaning it reduces the stomach’s size. This limits the amount of food you can eat at one time and makes you feel full faster. Unlike other bariatric procedures, it does not involve gastric banding, stomach stapling, or bypassing the stomach. Instead, the surgeon creates large folds in the stomach to reduce the size. Other names for this surgery include gastric imbrication and greater curvature plication.

Gastric plication is currently an experimental or investigational procedure. According to the latest statement from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), the procedure should be part of an approved study protocol. This protocol should be subject to oversight by a third party, such as an ethics committee or an Institutional Review Board (IRB). This ensures patient safety and regular review of outcomes. Due to this experimental status, insurance companies generally do not cover the procedure in the United States.

HOW MUCH DOES A LAPAROSCOPIC GASTRIC PLICATION COST?

Gastric plication surgery prices vary depending on different factors, including the country and city where you undergo the surgery, the hospital, and the experience of the surgeon. The cost of a gastric plication in the United States, for example, range between $10,000 and $20,000.

Gastric plication cost in Iran

On average, a gastric plication surgery costs between $2,500 and $4,000 in Iran. The low price of gastric plication in Iran compared to other countries is due to the low value of Iranian Rial against foreign currencies, as well as the availability of numerous bariatric surgeons in Iran.

SinoheMedTour offers gastric plication surgery packages with the best bariatric surgeons in Iran, performed in high-class hospitals. The packages come with all the services you need, such as accommodations, transfer, interpreter, and so on. To get a free quotation for a gastric plication surgery in Iran, feel free to send us a message, give us a call, or fill out the online form on this page. Our support staff will help you with the details.

Why is gastric plication performed?

Your doctor may recommend gastric plication surgery if you meet the following criteria:

  • You have a BMI (body mass index) of 30 kg/m2 or greater, which means you are obese. This is lower than most bariatric procedures that require you to be morbidly obese with a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or greater or 35 kg/m2 or greater with obesity-related health problems.
  • You have tried less-invasive strategies, but have not achieved adequate weight loss. This includes diet, exercise, behavioral therapy, and medical weight loss using medications.
  • You have demonstrated a commitment to losing weight, improving your health, and making lifelong changes to your lifestyle habits. This includes making permanent diet, exercise and behavior changes. It will also involve accepting a lifelong need to limit food portions and change food choices.

In general, bariatric surgery and lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of obesity-related health problems including:

  • Cancer including breast, colon, kidney, liver, ovarian, pancreatic and thyroid cancers
  • Fatty liver disease, gallbladder disease, and kidney disease
  • Heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and stroke
  • Osteoarthritis and general pain
  • Sleep apnea and other breathing problems
  • Type 2 diabetes

Talk with your doctor about all risks and benefits of gastric plication. Find out what you can expect for health outcomes after surgery.

How is gastric plication performed?

Doctors perform gastric plication in a hospital using a general anesthetic. This involves administering a combination of intravenous (IV) medicines and gases to put you in a deep sleep. You will sleep through the procedure without feeling any pain.

Gastric plication is a laparoscopic, minimally invasive surgery. It involves making 5 to 6 small incisions in the abdomen. Your doctor will insert small surgical instruments through the incisions to perform the operation. Using these instruments, your doctor will create large stomach folds and sew them in place. The stomach folds reduce your stomach’s size by about 70%. The procedure takes 1 to 2 hours.

Is stomach plication reversible?

There is no cutting or stapling of your stomach. This makes the procedure reversible and convertible to another procedure in the future.

What are the benefits of Gastric Plication?

  • Shorter procedure and recovery time.
  • Less invasive than other surgical procedures as it does not involve any cutting or stapling.
  • Gastric Plication does not require rerouting of intestines as with gastric bypass.
  • Reduction of conditions associated with obesity such as,
    • Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, sleep apnea and other morbid conditions are greatly reduced.
    • Cancer including breast, colon, kidney, liver, ovarian, pancreatic and thyroid cancers.
    • Essential hypertension is relieved in over 70% of patients.
    • Lower-back pain and joint pain are typically relieved or improved in nearly all patients.
    • Leg swelling are typically alleviated.

Why to choose gastric plication?

Here’s why gastric imbrication is considered one of the best bariatric surgeries:

  • This operation does not need using external or foreign materials and does not require implantation of anything inside the stomach.
  • Low cost for such efficient results.
  • No need to remove any part of the stomach.
  • It helps the patient recover from many overweight-related diseases.
  • The most important feature is that it can be reversed at any time to remove the folds and turn them back the way they were previously.
  • The patient does not need to take any specific vitamins.
  • It does not result in GERD.
  • The recovery period is short, and the patient can be discharged from the hospital after the operation on the same day.
  • It has no possibility of complications of the infusion, as there are no stomach wounds.
  • It does not affect the absorption capacity, nor the functionality of the stomach.

Who is a candidate for gastric plication?

The gastric plication generally suits to individuals who have a history of eating large portion sizes. If you’re eating profile includes snacking or grazing on small quantities of food the plication will not be a suitable weight loss procedure for you. The most successful patients are those who adhere to the dietary advice given and choose a varied healthy diet alongside an increase in activity. If dietary guidelines are not followed poor weight loss and/or weight regain is possible.

Gastric plication is most suitable for people with body mass index of 35 and higher, but can also be considered with a lower BMI in some cases.

What are the risks of gastric plication?

There is a relatively low risk of complications associated with the procedure, the most significant side effects reported include nausea and vomiting, which usually last about a week after the surgery. Other risks are the standard ones related to any surgery and general anesthesia, as well as separation of stitched areas and leaks from sutured areas, which may require an additional surgery.

How do I prepare for gastric plication?

There will likely be detailed preparation instructions if you are part of a study protocol for gastric plication. Protocols may vary by surgical center and surgeon.

In general, you can prepare for surgery by:

  • Knowing your health and medical history
  • Listing what medications you take including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, and vitamins, as well as drug allergies
  • Not eating or drinking before surgery as directed. Your team may postpone your surgery if you eat or drink too close to the start of surgery because you can choke on stomach contents during anesthesia.
  • Stopping smoking as soon as possible (if you smoke) to help with healing after surgery
  • Taking or stopping medications exactly as directed. Your doctor will give you instructions for taking your specific medications and supplements.