Question:
Please read this Proceedure for my bypass, I cannot understand it

The Proceedure was listed as "Gastric Bypass with a distal Roux-en-Y Anastomosis" The bypass proceedure says..:the small intestine was traced to the ileocecal valve to the ligament of Treitz. The total length of the small intestine was 575cm. Markings were made ar 175cm. and again at 320 cm. from the ileocecal valve. The small bowel mesentery was divided at 300cm. followed by the division of the small intestine at this level. Anastomosis was then carried out between the distal end of the proximal small bowel at 300 cm. to the site of the ileum at 175 cm.It was reinforced with 2 rows of staples and a continuos suture. It says my pouch was made to be 60cc. (Tha explains why I can eat a little more) Anyway..questions is the larger size of the pouch a concern for future use? How bypassed am I ..I know it says distal..but how distal? I am coming up on a year and feel great..lost 111lbs so far, happy with it. I just like to have all the info I can. Thanks..    — Patricia R. (posted on December 7, 2002)

December 7, 2002
I have a 60 cc (2 oz) pouch as well and it hasn't affected me - I am down 122 pounds in 4 1/2 months. I would think that the 2 oz pouches might tend to stretch less than the 1 oz pouches do (but both ending up at the same size). From what I can make out from that medical mumbo-jumbo *G*, it looks like you are 300cm (5 ft) distal. How did you get this information anyhow? I never got any report post-op - just a copy of the letter from the surgeon to the insurance company pre-op explaining what would be done...JR (open RNY 07/17 -122 pounds)
   — John Rushton

December 7, 2002
Actually, 300 cm is 10 feet, but it looks like that is the common channel (the amount after the Y meets), although I could be wrong. I'm not sure, but I think you're bypassed 175 cm, which is not quite 6 feet. From what I've read, the size of the pouch is not as important as the amount bypassed, so don't sweat it, as long as it's working. Also, it looks like you were not transected.
   — Leslie F.

December 7, 2002
For John...forgot to add, to get a copy of your Op report, call the Records department of the hospital, they will provide it. It's always good to have a copy for any future docs, too, just in case.
   — Leslie F.

December 7, 2002
Leslie...thanks. Sorry about the bad math :(...JR
   — John Rushton

December 7, 2002
John, I got the surgical report from my surgeons office...I asked for it because my PCP is NOT up on this surgery and wanted to keep it for my own files. They should not have a problem giving it to you.
   — Patricia R.

December 7, 2002
Looks like your common channel is 175cm (6.5 ft, give or take). Your starting length was around 22 ft of intestine. Figure roughly 5 ft for the alimentary side, would leave you about 10.5 ft bypassed. All very rough roundy figures. 60cc pouch is 4X what I started with, personally. You're certainly pretty distal, with less than 7 ft common channel. Is that what you wanted to know? I'm so glad you have your op report. I think everyone shoudl get copies of all their op reports & all their labs. As time goes on, and other (non-WLS) issues intervene, I'm glad I can just fax them this info & we can go on, without this having to be a major ordeal.
   — vitalady