Question:
Is there any truth in the fact that with the RNY Distal only allows 20% absorption?

Is there any truth in the fact that with the RNY Distal only allows 20% absorption? If so, does that mean I could eat 1000 calories in a day and only absorb 200? Lastly, if this is the case, what about medications? Wouldn't I need more?    — danhait (posted on September 1, 2001)

September 1, 2001
How distal? And 20% of what? I am very, very distal, I figure less than 10% of protein, iron, calcium, fats (so, A, D, E), zinc and no B12 at all. I personally need to supplement potassium, but that's not a for sure thing for everyone. But not sugars, we never malabsorb sugars. We get 100% of sugars, no matter which procedure we have. On the meds, depends on where in the gut it is absorbed. You can ask the pharmacist and tell him what measure of functional intestine you have and mention that it's the "back end", not the jejunum. Some meds I use more, as much as 4X as much, others are less, and some are the same. Depends on the med. I dont' use timed release, but if that's the only way it comes, I'll need a much larger dose to get any effect.
   — vitalady

September 2, 2001
ASK YOUR SURGEON!! Although many of us have a wealth of knowledge and experience about weight loss surgery, I doubt that any of us are your doctor.
   — [Anonymous]