A device for helping a surgeon to fold the correct amount of tissue when conducting a gastric plication procedure is described. The guide device includes an elongated flexible guide, a securing device positioned on the distal end of the guide, and means for guiding stomach tissue during a gastric plication procedure that are positioned longitudinally along the distal end of the guide and proximal to the securing device. The means for guiding stomach tissue include the use of a shaping balloon to serve as a guide for final stomach volume and/or a groove on the guide device to regulate formation of the tissue fold. Methods for using the guide device to carry out gastric plication procedures are also described.
