Question:
Has anyone had RNY distal done Lap?

I've heard by some that it cannot be done but if they can do the Duodenal Switch lap why not distal RNY?    — janice G. (posted on July 11, 2003)

July 11, 2003
I also originally thought that a distal couldn't be done by lap until I contacted Dr. Herrera who actually does it successfully that way. I think more and more doctors are venturing into the more extreme bypasses by using lap. Be wary though. I believe they are doing so out of consumer desire for the lap procedure, not necessarily because its the safest. In fact, I read some statistics that had the lap at twice that of open with a 4% instead of 2% complication rate.
   — Shelly S.

July 12, 2003
I realize that there are many different numbers thrown out as to what is considered distal. I am having a lap ryn next month and my surgeon considers it to be distal (120 cm).
   — kristynush

July 13, 2003
It was important to me to have the surgery done lap, so I chose a surgeon who is tops in the field of laparoscopic abdominal surgery (he does not advertise himself as a bariatric surgeon, but as a laparoscopic one). He bypassed 130 cm of my intestine with no problem.
   — Vespa R.

July 14, 2003
I guess it's all in the definition of 'distal'. I had lap with 150cm bypassed, and am pretty sure my surgeon said that he does up to 200cm, on those that are 'super obese'. Ever surgeon is different though.
   — eaamc