Question:
Does the intestine get re-connected differently with proximal or distal?

I have read the information in the library regarding proximal vs. distal & I still don't get it. I know it has to do w/ how much intestine is bypassed, but does it have anything to do with where it is re-connected to the stomach? If someone could email me a picture or explain in simple terms I would appreciate it! Thank you! ([email protected])    — sgeisendorff (posted on April 28, 2001)

April 28, 2001
The answer is 'no.' Proximal and distal are connected the same way. They simply refer to how far away from your stomach the intestine is cut,... is it cut 18 inches away, or 5 feet or 18 feet, or what. That's all. Once that cut is made, the intestine is brought up to the new 'pouch' and connected. That leaves the old stomach and it's attached intestine piece hanging loose, so it is them sutured down the ways a bit on the connected intestine, forming a 'y' (thus the Y of Roux En Y). It is at this 'y' that gastric juices from the old stomach hit the food that you've eaten after it has exited your pouch and started down the intestine. This is why you need to REALLY chew your food well, cause the gastric juices don't hit it to further break it down until it reaches the 'y'. (Of course, if you have a band around your exit hole like I do, then that is another reason to chew your food extremely well, so it won't get stuck trying to exit the new pouch.) This is a bit complicated, that's why a picture is worth a thousand words. I'm sure your surgeon has diagrams.
   — Cindy H.