Question:
Is this amount bypassed proximal or distal?

I stay concerned that I am gonna gain weight again. I'm only 6 mts out and two weeks ago gained a pound. I'm only losing about 3 lbs a week now, some weeks I dont' lose any at all. My ttl loss is now 149 lbs. Can I keep it off with only 166cm bypassed.    — Randell O. (posted on April 18, 2002)

April 18, 2002
It sounds like your are proximal. My doctor bypassed about 180cm and told me that mine was proximal.
   — Christine L.

April 19, 2002
My doctor by passes 2 foot and he called it proximal. (I don't know how many cc it is?) All his patients do fine with large amounts of weight loss. Good luck
   — sandy W.

June 21, 2003
I have the same question.... one of my fears is that I didn't have enough small intestine bypassed for the amount of weight I need to lose and keep off. I was told that my bypass was the standard proximal bypass with about 150 cm of small intesting bypassed (about 5 feet). But I've read many many places that for people with a BMI of 60 or greater, distal surgery is the way to go as it allows for greater weight loss and ability to keep it off. I've read other places though that 150 cm bypassed is not proximal but more medial, so I am all confused. I am worried that they didn't bypass enough of my small intestine and would be interested in finding out if anyone else with 200+ lbs to lose was successful with just the proximal surgery.
   — CarolineAnnMartin

January 21, 2004
I have been told any thing above 150 cm is considered Distal..... vitalady.com can be of some help to you in answering the question further
   — littlelady B.

October 10, 2004
How interesting to read my response to this question that I'd posted at only 1 1/2 months postop.... For anyone concerned about if 150 cm bypassed is "enough" of a bypass to lose over 200 lbs, yes, it most certainly is... At 15 months postop, I'd already lost 210 lbs and reached goal... :) Caroline
   — CarolineAnnMartin

October 10, 2004
150 cm is definately distal. I know I have 2 feet/ 60 cm bypassed and had excellent results, and it is normal for weight loss to slow down after 6 months. Your body goes into self preservation mode. My typical pattern by 6 months was to only lose 1 week out of each month. Hang in there, eat for health and it will happen.
   — **willow**

October 11, 2004
According to Dr. Simpson's book, anything over 100 cm is considered distal by the insurance companies. From there you will find many opinions about what is or is not distal. I am 150 cm bypassed and my surgeon says distal, another might say proximal. There are people who are bypassed way more than 150 cm (vitalady is one). So, I just go by what the insurance company and my doctor say at this point if I am asked. To me it does not really matter, it is 150 cm bypassed. I leave the classification up to someone else. Sandra
   — Arizona_Sun