But isn't BPD another name for the DS???
I got all twisted around early in my research as well...took a verbal 2 x 4 to the head and two VERY patient members during my research to get it straight.
The problem STARTS with surgeons and staff of the various bariatric offices who refer to the DS AS the BPD/DS.
And some of the staff use BPD as their "shortcut" not the DS. Surgeons use the entire thing typically, BPD/DS.
The original BPD is a very large POUCH (minus the pyloric valve) added to a very short common channel. Also known as the Scopinaro procedure. Dr. Nicola Scopinaro introduced the Biliopancreatic Diversion in Italy during 1979.The procedure combines malabsorption with some gastric restriction. A large pouch between 250 and 400 ccs is created with the upper portion and the lower stomach is surgically removed (distal gastrectomy).
The pyloric valve is circumvented so "dumping" often occurs. The duodenum (top part of the small intestine) is bypassed and the stomach pouch is connected to the lower 2-3 meters of the small intestine. Then, 4-metres of the small bowel (60%) is bypassed making the channel approximately 50 cm.
They no longer DO the BPD and that one is not approved by (as far as I know) by ANY insurance company.
The Stand-Alone Duodenal Switch procedure (without the accompanying gastric bypass as used in weight-loss surgery) was developed by Dr. Tom R. DeMeester in the 1980's to treat bile-reflux gastritis, a condition in which the stomach and esophagus are irritated by bile that goes back through the pylorus to the stomach. This is JUST the bottom half and is also fairly common in Europe to resolve diabetes regardless of BMI. See
Dan's Story
The DS as WE know it was a reformatted version developed by Dr. Hess. In 1986, Dr. Douglas Hess modified BPD and combined it with Duodenal Switch. This hybrid procedure is often referred to as the Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch, or GR-DS (Gastric Reduction- Duodenal Switch). Keep in mind; the BPD portion has been modified from the original procedure so the name can be misleading. HOW he modified it was to preserve the pyloric valve and make the sleeve MUCH smaller.
But NO insurance company pays for the BPD BUT listing it as the BPD-DS or BPD/DS or BPD/GR is allowed by insurance companies.
I know that Medicare covers the DS (known AS the BPD/DS) and that is similar to TriCare in what they allow.