Question:
What is the difference between distal surgery and proximal surgery?

Someone posted this on the message board, but I thought it might get more attention here, and I want to know the answer too!    — Leslie R. (posted on January 26, 2003)

January 26, 2003
Proximal and Distal refer to the length of intestine bypassed, I believe. My understanding is that proximal is from 75 cm to 150 cm and distal is more than 150 centimeters bypassed...... It is also my understanding that insurance is less likely to approve a distal procedure.
   — Gina C.

January 26, 2003
With a proximal you can lose 60-70% of your excess weight. With the distal you can lose 90% of your excess weight. Proximal can be done laposcropically (excuse the spelling) and Distal is done open.
   — TLLessor

January 26, 2003
Distal RNYs can certainly be done laparoscopically by an experienced and skilled surgeon. If a particular surgeon says she/he will do proximal lap, but not distal, that would be a warning sign to me that they're still working through their learning curve.
   — Tally

January 30, 2003
Tally, I agree. My surgeon said he does a very distal rny and does all that he can by lap, unless there is scar tissue or other unexpected complications. My sister used the same surgeon last July with terrific results. He asked me if I wanted lap, and I said, do what was necessary to do it the safest way. He assured me that I was one of his smaller patients, with all previous surgical scars in the bikini (HA!!) line area, and that he didn't see any reason why the lap wouldn't be possible. My date is 2/18, so we'll see.
   — Fixnmyself