Hello All: For newbies and not so newbies, I just wanted to let you know that there is a forum on Obesity Help called the Black American Forum (BAF). If you are not familiar with it, please feel free to stop by to post comments, questions or concerns. Want to know how to get there: Click on "Forums" at the top of the page and you will see a drop-down menu Click on "Show All Forums" and you will see several boxes with forum names in them On the left side in the bottom box, click on "Black American" And then you will be at BAF Come by and post a comment. We would love to see you there. Grace & Peace Treena

It's a Bileopancreatic Diversion/Duodenal Switch. It has the highest success rate long-term (in terms of weight loss and keeping it off) of any WLS. It's a combination procedure, like the RNY except for the fact that you keep part of your stomach (including the pyloric sphincter) while most is cut away (so there's no dumping), and more of your small intestine is bypassed. In most RNY's, about 1/5 of the small intestine is bypassed, whereas with the BPD/DS, 4/5 is bypassed. -- JP P.S. Most people call a BPD/DS just a DS because nobody performs just a DS anymore. You have to have the restrictive portion (The partial gastrectomy to reduce stomach size) and the malabsorptive part (the bypass).

Hi Jonathan, me Desiree again. Question? Your surgery...what is BPD/DS surgery? I know I sound dumb, but I know the DS part, but what is the BPD??? Just wondering as I too have a high BMI.

Dr. Harris @ Dakota Surgical Ltd. at Avera in Sioux Falls does laparoscopic RNY's. He's awesome! He's also a master at cleaning up after other surgeons' messes and specializes in revisions. -- JP

Thanks for all the info. I really appreciate your time responding here and sending me the personal message. It gives me more hope. Anyhow, I'm going after this with everything I've got. I have already begun the "diet" phase as I'm working with our IHS Clinic's dietician. She has yet to come up with a plan for me, but I've already been cutting back on portions and empty calorie crap. Well thanks again and best wishes in your process. Oh yes, and I plan on going with Harris. I'm looking forward to his Feb.6th seminar....I hope he is as nice as everyone says.