New weight-loss procedure reshapes stomach with sutures

A new weight-loss procedure reshapes the stomach with sutures – making it smaller so patients trim their food intake.

Called Laparoscopic Greater Curvature Plication, the procedure involves folding the stomach inward on itself, suturing, then turning it a second time, and suturing. The result is a banana-shaped stomach that’s much smaller and holds less food.

In a similar procedure, called sleeve gastrectomy, the stomach is cut into a sleeve shape to reduce its volume.

The great thing about the newest procedure (the plication) is there is no cutting. The risk of a leak is drastically reduced and the procedure is completely reversible.

Another advantage is the procedure’s lower cost – roughly $10,650. For patients who don’t have insurance coverage for weight-loss surgery, the new procedure is easier on the pocketbook, as compared with gastric banding or sleeve gastrectomy at $16,000; or gastric bypass at $21,000.

The  investigational procedure is being performed only at Baptist Hospital East, and Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington.

Baptist East is an American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. The designation recognizes surgical programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in weight-loss surgery. All weight-loss surgeries performed at Baptist East are minimally-invasive.

Other weight-loss surgeries performed at Baptist East are:

• LAP-BAND® and REALIZE™ band
• Laparoscopic gastric bypass
• Laparoscopic gastric sleeve
• Revisional weight-loss surgery – ROSE procedure

For more information, email bheweightlosssurgery@bhsi.com or call (502) 897-8264.