Background Laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP) is an emerging restrictive bariatric procedure that successfully reduces the gastric volume by plication of the gastric greater curvature.The aim of this prospective nonrandomized study was to compare short-term outcomes and associated complications between LGCP and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).Methods From January 2011 to November 2011, 39 patients were allocated to undergo either LGCP (n=19) or LSG (n=20).Data on the operative time, complications, hospital stay, overall cost of LSG and LGCP, body mass index loss (BMIL), percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL), loss of appetite and improvement of co-morbidities were collected during the follow-up examinations.Results All procedures were completed laparoscopically.The mean operative time was 95.0 ± 17.4 min for LGCP group and 85.5 ± 18.4 min for LSG group (P=0.107).No patient required re-operation because of an early complication.One patient in LSG group was readmitted because of gastric stenosis.The mean hospital stay was 4.2 ± 1.9 days in LGCP group and 3.9 ± 1.7 days in LSG group (P=0.595).The total cost of LSG was $ 7826 ± 537 as compared to LGCP($ 3358 ± 264)(P<0.001).One year after surgery, the mean %EWL was 58.8% ± 16.7% (n=1 1) in LGCP group and 80.0% ± 26.8% (n=11) in LSG group (P=0.038).Loss of feeling of hunger was reported in 27.3% patients in LGCP and 72.7% patients in LSG (P=0.033) at one year after surgery.The co-morbidities including diabetes, sleep apnea and hypertension were improved markedly in both groups 6 months after surgery.Conclusions The short-term outcomes of our study have shown that compared with LSG, LGCP is inferior as a restrictive procedure for weight loss, despite the significantly less cost.Longer follow-up and much more prospective comparative trials are needed to confirm the long-term outcomes of this novel procedure and make definitive conclusions.