With increasing obesity in society, many people are turning towards plication surgery as an effective solution. Is it is really effective and safe? What are the after effects of plication surgery for overweight men? If you are looking for answers to these and other related questions, read this article to get crucial information on weight loss plication surgery.
What is Gastric Plication Surgery?
The word “gastric” refers to the stomach and “plications” means to fold. Therefore, gastric plication surgery reduces the volume of the stomach by folding it inwards and stitching it securely. The stomach size decreases, which restricts food intake, thereby helping the patient to lose weight. This medical procedure is non-invasive and does not implant any devices to the stomach.
Effectiveness
Since gastric plication is a new procedure, there is not much evidence to show its long term effects. Shorter clinical studies have shown that patients experience 40-70% reduction in excessive weight. Moreover, diseases related to obesity, such as diabetes also improve significantly.
Who Qualifies for Gastric Plication?
Because gastric plication is still in its developing stages, its requirements are similar to other weight loss surgeries like the Lap Band. You can apply for surgery if:
- Your Body-Mass Index (BMI) is over 30-40
- You are at least 80-100 pounds overweight
- You are older than 18 years
- You have failed at other weight-loss techniques such as diet and exercise
- Your weight is life threatening
Benefits
Gastric plication is minimally invasive (requires minor incisions to the body).
- It is reversible.
- It reduces the stomach size, which helps you to restrict your diet.
- It helps to eliminate illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems usually associated with obesity.
- It is more effective than other weight loss methods. You will save both time and money by undergoing surgery instead of exercising, dieting and taking medicines.
Risks
- All major surgeries have the inherent risk of damaging the skin as well as the organs around the area of surgery.
- Negligence of the surgeon, especially related to the use of anesthesia, can even lead to death
- The patient may have to take pills and liquids as the only food source for life (depending on his/her condition)
- Failure by the patient to control his/her diet post surgery can lead to problems like diarrhea, vomiting and major complications like the dumping syndrome.
It is, therefore, better to seek sound medical advice before undergoing a major weight loss surgery.
