Dr. Poplawski and distal RNY

Hi I'm scheduled to have RNY surgery with Dr. Poplawski on May 26. I spoke with a nurse at Barix named Tracy and asked her if the RNY is done proximal or distal. She said that Dr. Pop does all of his RNY surgeries distal. I've since read on this board that most surgeons no longer do the distal RNY  because of concern about the greater risk of  nuritional deficiencies. One OH member  who had the distal RNY surgery i***** told me that Dr. Pop may not do a true distal but actually a "long-limbed RNY". 

Are there  any patients of Dr. Pop out there who know a little more about whether the surgery is proximal, distal, or a long-limbed RNY? I have an office visit scheduled Wed, not with Dr. Pop, for the pre-admission testing and I will of course discuss it with the doctor that I see. Tracy said that the pre-admission testing doctor should be able to answer my questions. The only way I can ask Dr. Pop directly is to schedule a different visit with him which I will do if necessary.

The thing to remember is that there is no ONE real definition of proximal or distal.  They simply mean "close" or "far away" -- and it refers to the starting point at the stomach bypass.  So each surgeon defines distal or proximal differently.  And in the true sense of the definition a distal bypass is not measured from the top down, it's measured from the bottom up --- meaning they go to the end of the small intestine and measure about 200-500cm UP from the end and bypass everything that remains up to the stomach.  (The small intestine is about 600-800cm in total length depending in each person's anatomy.)

The other thing to remember is that the bypass amount has a lot to do with your specific anatomy as well.  They don't really take a ruler into the OR with them and measure out exactly how many centimeters is bypassed, it's more of a "walking it off" type of thing (at least that's what I've been told by doctors I've talked to). 

I think you've already seen this article as well --- long limb vs. short limb results after 10 years. Also remember that the more you have bypassed, the greater the risk for vitamin deficiencies. Here's a diagram of where vitamins are absorbed in the small intestine - the lines indicate a typical 150cm bypass (a proximal bypass).

Word to the been there done that and wouldn't recommend that hospital again.  TAKE a good look around the place first.

Thanks for responding. Is there anything specific you can tell me? I just did my PATs there yesterday and everything looked on the up and up. I've been there several times before as well. I researched the surgeon and clinic is a Center of Execellence. If you or someone you know was a patient there and had a bad experience I would really like to hear the details. Thanks.

I'm also considering RNY with Dr. Pop.  I had my first appointment/consult yesterday.  I would really like to hear from anyone who has experience with Dr. Pop and the clinic.

I've had a fairly good experience so far but I'm pre-op. I do not like that you always have to leave voice mail messages because no one seems to answer their phone when you are transfered to them. This has happend to me no matter who I was calling: the insurance dept, Dr. Pop's office, PATs nurse, etc. They do always call back quickly, usually within the hour and always by the end of the day, but it is still annoying. I also did not like that I could not talk to Dr. Pop over the phone or email him. Nurse Tracy told me that I would have to schedule an appointment and come in to see him. Oh also the nutrition class seemed a bit lacking in information. It was included in the PATs testing so I guess they are trying to keep it as brief as possible and they do give you the "bible" but I personally would have like more detailed information.

I went to the support group meeting last Saturday at the clinic  and it was really good. There was about 10-12 people there ranging from 9 years to 1 year post-op, most people had the RNY but there was one person with the  lap band and one person with the  sleeve . They were all extremely nice and gave me a lot of helpful information.