Question:
I need feedback on both the lap RHY surgeries- distol or proximal. Which

surgery seems to work the best?    — Ann M. (posted on July 16, 2002)

July 16, 2002
I believe the DISTAL is for people who have A LOT of weight to lose. I had the proximal becaues I *only* had 120 pounds to lose. With the Distal there is MORE malabsorbtion. I think this is something that should be discussed with your doctor, however. He will know or be able to advise you as to which one will work best for you. Good luck!
   — Kim B.

July 16, 2002
I had distal lap RNY on May 9th. My surgery bypassed 150 centimeters or about five feet of my small intestine, I was considered a "lightweight" with a BMI of exactly 40 when I had the surgery. At two months post op I am down 60 pounds and I feel like a teenager again.
   — Linda A.

July 17, 2002
A surgeon may also recommend performing a distal bypass versus a proximal due to your diet habits. If you've fasted a lot in the past, a distal may help your body "let go" of the weight a bit more. I'm not saying this is set in stone, just something someone told me.
   — NicoleG

July 17, 2002
As with everything, there are tradeoffs. Yes, with the distal you will lose more and faster, but you will have more malabsorption and a higher risk of anemia and vitamin deficiencies. With the proximal you will lose more slowly but have less risk of problems later. You don't have THAT much to lose (in the world of MO, anyway =) so you have to weigh the risk with the benefits. I had a proximal and am very happy with it. I lost slowly enough that I won't need reconstructive surgery. Your dr may have his/her own criteria for performing proximal vs. distal. In the end the one you will get depends on the one the dr thinks you should have.
   — ctyst

July 17, 2002
I have seen many responses to this question before. Each doctor seems to bypass different amounts of intestine. Mine bypasses 110 centimeters which is considered proximal. I was told that 150 cm or more is a distal and more malabsorbtion takes place.
   — Cindy R.