Question:
I just had my preops done yesterday (my surgery is July 15th and asked the

doctor if I'm having distal or proximal. He says my insurance will only pay for proximal. I weigh 350. I'm concerned about if I will be able to lose with a proximal. How much is bypassed with a proximal. Does anyone lose much with proximal? Help, I need to know what my chances are to lose with proximal cos I need to lose 200 pds!!!    — Judy W. (posted on July 4, 2002)

July 4, 2002
judy, i had proximal, and i have lost 90 pounds so far. i am 11 months out. we all lose at our own rate, i am a "slow" loser compared to some. it is actually (in my opinion) better to lose at a slower rate. it allows the skin to have more time to adjust to our weight loss. hope this helps, best of luck to you.
   — deb_wls2001

July 4, 2002
Don't know if this is of any use to you, but I had a proximal RNY 16 months ago and have lost over 185 lbs. I have approximately 30 lbs. to my goal weight. You can do it!!!
   — Terissa R.

July 5, 2002
Hi. I need to lose 200 lbs too and am scheduled for an open RNY/Distal on Aug. 14 with Dr. Hocking in Gainesville, FL. He apparently is very comfortable with performing distal bypasses and does them regularly. He describes his plan for my distal as "leaving 100 cm of common channel (ileum) from the colon." Articles that I have read online indicate that Proximal=255cm of the ileum remains, Medial=153-254cm and Distal=101-152cm (Appx: 101 INCHES, 61-100" and 40-60" respectively). The LESS/SHORTER the ileum, the MORE malabsorptive you become, (proteins , fats and carbs), the more likely that you may develop an ulcer, the more likely that you will have frequent loose bowel movements, but the more likely that you will be able to lose 60-80% of your excess weight. Of course, I plan to lose 100% of mine and wish you great success too!!
   — Rebecca T.