Question:
What is the difference between distel and proximal?

I had no idea that there were two types of RNY surgery, and I don't believe it was mentioned to me what type i was having    — denpah (posted on December 9, 2009)

December 9, 2009
Distal is far, proximal is near. The way I remember is to think distance for distal.
   — help_my_hubby

December 9, 2009
Distal is when they cut a longer section of your intestines to do the "Y" portion of the RNY. It is sort of like comparing a capital or upper case "Y" (distal) to a small or lower case "y" (proximal). The "v" part of the "y" would be longer in the distal and the tail part would be shorter. The distal is usually only done if you have a very high BMI as it will ensure more weight loss by increasing the rate of malabsorption because it leaves the person with a shorter "common" area. The common area being the portion of the intestines that are joined together to bring the digestive enzymes and the food back together. Most of the time they do a proximal RNY using less length of the intestines as it causes less malabsorption issues. Of course this means less weight loss too but if you don't have a high BMI (over 60 I would say) then a proximal would be what you would probably get as less malabsorptive issues is better when you look at the long term, years after surgery. I would enquire with my surgeon to find out which of the two he does. It's your body and you have the right to know prior to the surgery taking place.
   — Dandy_DeeDee

December 9, 2009
Short answer: Distal is furthest from your body center. Proximal is closest to your body center. Shoulder would be proximal, fingers would be distal. This applies to everything having to do with your body, whether it be surgery or not. (Old RN)
   — huggybear1