Choosing to have bariatric surgery is a big decision and the type of procedure you have can greatly affect your results. One type of procedure is the laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP). It restricts the size of your stomach so you consume less food and therefore fewer calories. Its popularity is due in part to the low risks it offers. Learn more about this procedure to see if it might be right for you.
The LGCP Procedure
On the day of your scheduled surgery, you will be put to sleep with general anesthesia. Then, the surgeon will create about five small incisions in your abdomen. These incisions will be used to insert a camera and surgical tools. Unlike other bariatric surgeries, such as a sleeve gastrectomy, this one does not remove part of your stomach. Instead, the part of your stomach that curves outward (called the greater curvature) is folded in to form a small tube shape and then sewn in place. The word “plication” actually means “folded in”, hence how the procedure got its name. After the procedure is complete you will be woken up and monitored overnight as you stay in the hospital.
Benefits of LGCP
Since there is no cutting of your stomach or intestines, there is a very rare chance of gastric leak. Also, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that nothing was removed and nothing was implanted either. This is the lowest risk bariatric surgery available. Most patients lose an average of 50% of their excess body weight in the first year, and up to 63% in the second year.
Risks of LGCP
Every surgery comes with risks, especially when using general anesthesia. Your doctor will go over all possible risks with you before the procedure. However, keep in mind the risks of not having the surgery. Often, the benefits outweigh the risks. If this wasn’t the case for you, your doctor would not have recommended it.
Be sure to check with your insurance company before having any procedures performed. LGCP is often considered an investigational surgery and is therefore not typically covered by most insurance plans. We have a financial counselor available in our office to assist you while working with insurance companies and developing a payment plan.
Contact Us
To learn more about laparoscopic greater curvature plication, please contact us today. We can help you schedule a consultation with our doctor to determine if this is the right weight loss surgery for you. Depending on your current health and future goals, we may recommend another type of bariatric surgery.
Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgery Institute has four locations in the metropolitan Atlanta area. Please reach out to us online or call your nearest location with any questions you may have. We look forward to helping you along your path to a happier, healthier life!