Distal RNY vs "normal" RNY - Opinions

Hello All,

I am scheduled to have the RNY on 1/20/2009 with Dr. Huse.  I heard that it is up to the surgeon to decide if you get the Proximal (most common) or the Distal RNY.  Has anyone ever woken up from surgery to find they had the Distal RNY? 

Proximal – A proximal RNY patient has less than 150 cm of intestine bypassed.  Most RNY's are proximal.  The Proximal patient still has a mal-absorption of food and sugar, though to a lesser extent than a Distal patient.  The result is still weight loss, though it may be considered that the patient has less of a worry about mal-absorption of nutrition.  

Distal - This refers to the amount of stomach bypassed.  A distal RNY means that over 150 cm of intestine is bypassed - the section that processes sugar.  Thus the distal RNY patient does not process sugar and has a greater mal-absorption of food and nutrients.  The result is a more rapid weight loss, but a need for closer watch of nutritional intake.  An RNY patient may refer to their surgery as a "Distal RNY Fobi" procedure, or a "Distal RNY".  Distal RNY is usually reserved for patients with BMI >50

I asked my doctor (the incomparable Dr. Christopher Evanson!) what one I had at my visit last week.

He said that he does his all the same - it's a hybrid between the two - he does about halfway between the proximal and distal.  He does this with all his patients to maximize weight loss and minimize the nutritional problems associated with the distal.

Works fine for me!  My weight loss at 30 days exceeded his expectations (and mine!).

Simply ask Dr. Huse what he is planning for you.

Hey,

I didn't know that Dr. E did both.  It is good to know what type of surgery that he does with all of his patients. He is a very good doctor.

I asked my surgeon just before they took me back for surgery.  She said that she does hers longer than a proximal, but it isn't a true distal either.  For lack of a better description it's considered a long proximal.

Melissa

Ditto with my surgeon,  he does them all the same.  He said he does it like he is using a cookie cutter on each of this patients.  I love Dr Mandelbaum, he rocks!!

Jeannie

Hi Michelle

I spoke to my surgeon twice before surgery and on the morning of surgery to make sure I understood what was going to be happening. I always ask a lot of questions of my doctors. Anyway so before 'I lay me down to sleep with the good drugs I knew that I was having a Proximal RNY. I am considered a lightweight by industry standards but tell that to my aching back, knees and feet and see what the yell back at you.   

I did wake up and have my surgeon tell me that he removed about 1.5 feet of my intestines that was diseased due to diverticulitis. But I am glad he removed it becuase it caused me excrutiating pain for many years.  

Anyhow ask your doctor what he plans to do. I hope you have a safe, eneventful surgery with wild success.