Question:
I had a proximal RNY done a few weeks ago.

I was reading over proximal VS Distal and am now worried that my Dr. didn't bypass enough. He only bypassed 60cm (2 feet on intestine. It sounds like most proximals are 100 to 150. Has anyone else out there only bypassed ~60cm and lost a lot of weight?    — Heather S. (posted on June 15, 2003)

June 15, 2003
Most "proximals" are bypassed between 60-75 cm while distals are bypassed from 100-150 cm. Don't worry, he got plenty of intestine and you will be healthier and lose your weight too. God bless.
   — Happy I.

June 15, 2003
I started at 250#s. My doc bypassed 75cm. I am 16 weeks out and have lost 85#s. I think that with us lightwieghts it is safer in the long run not to bypass so much. You will do fine.
   — hooterzgirl75

June 15, 2003
I have a 2 oz pouch and had 75 cm bypassed in my open RNY 07/17/02. I've lost 181 pounds from my pre-op weight of 427. It's all in working the tool...JR
   — John Rushton

June 15, 2003
100 to 150 is proximal. Anything above this is considered distal. A lot of people have had less than 100 bypassed and had great sucess at losing weight.
   — Delores S.

June 16, 2003
I was bypassed 75 cm. and lost a bit more than I wanted to. I started out as a "lightweight" with a 42 BMI, so I am glad more wasn't bypassed. It's easy to find reasons to fear why the surgery won't work for you in the early months (you're less than a month out, according to your profile). You have to try to not worry yourself unnecessarily, which is easier said than done. What's far more important is how you work your tool, meaning what foods you choose to put into it and how you exercise (when and if you can do so safely, considering any other medical problems). BTW -- congrats on your weight loss -- I don't think 22 pounds lost in less than a month is considered "slow loser" territory, especially for a "lightweight." ;-)
   — Suzy C.

June 16, 2003
Heather, I actually think it is a good thing to have less bypassed. The intestine bypassed is where the nutritious parts of our foods are normally and naturally absorbed.The more bypassed, the less of the good stuff absorbed, and hence, we have to supplement more. Since there are no long term studies out there for WLS and how this malabsorbtion will effect us in the long term, it makes sense that the less bypassed, the more good stuff is absorbed and the less long term possibility of problems. The distals are usually bypassed more than 150 to give them the best chance at losing 200 pounds or more. For those who are lightweights with around 100 pounds to lose, bypassing 100 or less is sufficient to do the trick.
   — Cindy R.