Q: Malabsorption %

Anyone remember off-hand the exact percentage of malabsorption for the RNY? In other words, if we eat 500 calries a day, how many calories are really being absorbed? And what percentage of nutrients do we absorb? Thanks! Eve

The malabsortive amount differs depending on whether or not the RNY is distal or proximal. Proximal is less than distal. It still varies among types because different surgeons bypass different lengths of intestine.

I agree with Rob, plus I am not sure that they really know anyway. I do know that the % of nutrients is different for each nutrient because each are normall absorbed in a different place in the system. B-12, protein, Vitamin D are some of the ones that are more affected and thus need to be especially monitored. Joy

I went to the library on this site and looked it up, and here are 2 good answers: 08/20/03: hiya~ depends on your surgery and what your surgeon thinks! lol they all say something different i swear. we had a well known surgeon speak at our support group and he says that with standard roux-en-y with about 2 feet bypassed, you only malabsorb 10% of your food but almost all of your calcium, iron, & vitamins.... malabsorb means to not absorb, for our bodies to not take in the nutrients of the food... hope that helps kate - J. Kate Bounds 08/20/03: It depends on what surgery you have. I had open RNY with 150 cm of intestines bypassed. My surgeon told me that initially I would absorb only half the calories I ate but that by a year out, that the intestines adapt and we absorb a lot more - not all but significantly more than 50%. We also don't absorb all nutrients and that never changes. - Patty Butler

Thank you Sally!