Gastric plication is a procedure where with a special folding and stitching technique the volume of the stomach pouch is decreased into a smaller tube-like shape, in order to reduce the amount of food taken in. The main reasons the procedure is preferred is the fact that no resection is performed in the operation nor are there any foreign objects placed into the stomach. Laparoscopic gastric plication is a restrictive procedure that reduces the size of the stomach and limits food intake. This procedure is also referred to as laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP).

The gastric plication surgery is conducted through a laparoscopy, which means that small incisions are made in the patient’s abdomen, avoiding open surgery. During the procedure, which takes from 40 minutes to 2 hours, surgeons reduce the size of the stomach by folding the stomach’s lining inside itself. The size and capacity of the organ is reduced by approximately 70%, increasing the feeling of satiety faster and with smaller amounts of food.

Gastric plication is a restrictive procedure. It greatly reduces the size of your stomach and limits the amount of food that can be eaten at one time. It does not cause decreased absorption of nutrients or bypass your intestines. After eating a small amount of food, you will feel full very quickly and continue to feel full for several hours.

The gastric plication generally suits to individuals who have a history of eating large portion sizes. If your 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.

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.

Depending on their preoperative weight, patients can expect to lose between 30% to 55% of their excess body weight in the first 2 years after surgery. Many obesities related comorbidities improve or resolve after bariatric surgery. Diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea and abnormal cholesterol levels are improved in more than 75% of patients who undergo a bariatric procedure. Though long-term studies are not yet available, the weight loss that occurs after gastric plication results in significant improvement in these medical conditions in the first year after surgery.

The idea behind gastric plication is to include the main benefits associated with other surgical procedures without the disadvantages. Therefore, it does not involve a rearrangement of the digestive system like gastric bypass, the need for additional adjustment surgeries such as gastric banding, or the implanting of a banding device around the stomach. In addition, the surgery can be reversible, which is also true for gastric band but not for gastric sleeve.