By: Jimmy Ramonita

Jimmy Ramonita — Thu, 01 Apr 2004 04:28:44 +0000

Dear Ted,
After researching all the wls options, I chose to have Lap BPD/DS for
the following reasons:
The BPD/DS statistically enables patients to lose the highest
percentage of excess weight with very little or no regain. I wanted
to have surgery and not only regain health but it was important to me
to also be slim.
I am not a good chewer (and find chewing my food to liquid repulsive)
and I need to drink with my meals. I also enjoy raw veggies and
steaks, chops and chicken. In my research I found that alot of RNY,
VGB and Band patients sometimes have a hard time with meats.
I do not have a stoma, therefore nothing will ever get stuck and I
won’t ever need a roto rooter job to open my stoma. I also will not
get marginal ulcers. My stomach and the connections are all the same
post-op which just seemed like a more natural thing to me. My food

comes into contact with my duodenal remant so I absorb more
nutrients. My stomach has instrinsic factor so B-12 deficiency is
not a concern.
A BPD/DS left my pylorus intact so my stomach operates just like it
did pre-op. It digests and churns and slowly empties just like
before. I did not want dumping syndrome. I like to enjoy a piece of
birthday cake and I like to indulge in treats and want to, just like
naturally thin folks. I no longer have good food or bad food
issues. Any food is okay. I like the fact that I have no food
restrictions. I eat what I want and the “glitter” is gone since I
can have it all.
The partial stomach removal still left me with a 12-14 oz. stomach.
If I ever needed the intestines reversed, I wouldn’t ever need my
stomach made larger since at 13 months post-op I eat very normal
sized portions and I certainly don’t need the extra 20-24 ozs.
of “extra stomach” that was removed. It was scarier for me to have
an RNY with a stapled off “blind” stomach that cannot be accessed.
I eat several servings of protein a day, take my vitamins and calcium
supplements and have my labs drawn regularly. I am very happy with
my choice for the above reasons and my health has never been better.
I never have to diet again. I am a compulsive eater and I don’t have
to worry about gaining. For me, I was looking for a cure not a tool
and to me that is what the DS is. Good luck with your research.
Jodi ~ Age 38 yrs.
230/118 (-112 lbs)
5′ 3.5″ ~ Size 2/4
Lap BPD/DS ~ 4/26/01
Dr. Christine Ren, NYU, NYC

Comments on: BPS/DS (duodenal switch) vs. RNY (Roux-en-Y)

By: Jimmy Ramonita