What is it?

The gastric plication is a novel surgical weight-loss surgery technique where the floppy left side of the stomach is made smaller and less easily inflated.

What does the surgery involve?

The surgeon uses keyhole (laparoscopic) techniques to loosen off the tissues around the larger, floppier left side of the stomach.  The procedure requires a general anaesthetic.  Stitches (sutures) are then placed along that edge to roll the floppy part of the stomach in on itself.  This results in the stomach being smaller and may affect the production of certain hormones that result in you being less hungry.  Currently, this remains a relatively experimental technique.

How well will I do?

As it is a relatively new technique there is no good evidence about its longterm effectiveness or adverse outcomes.  In particular, no one is certain how long these procedures will continue to result in weight loss.  Current recommendations are that all procedures should be offered in study groups and that all data is recorded in national databases.  Patients should be aware of the limitations of medium or long-term information on outcomes.

What is my recovery like?

Patients would be expected to remain in hospital for 1 or 2 nights.  There will be structured dietary advice and a liquid diet for the first weeks.  Most patients will usually return to desk jobs in about 4 weeks and more active work at 6 to 8 weeks.  Often patients take 2 or 3 weeks until they feel able to drive again, as guided by DVLC advice.