Question:
Seeking Those Who Have Had A PROXIMAL RNY

I have to have the RNY proximal since BC PPO will only cover that procedure. I am just concerned because my Dr. told me at the consultation the proximal is better since it has less complications but if we want to lose all the weight then to go with the distal.I want to lose 130 pounds. I am a little worried. Has anyone lost a great amount with the distal?    — sammyms (posted on June 28, 2003)

June 28, 2003
I am confused because you are addressing your question to those who have had a proximal RNY, but then ask "has anyone lost a great anount with the distal". <p> I had only 75 cm bypassed and have a 2 oz pouch. My anniversary date is coming up 2 weeks from next Thursday and so far I have lost 181 pounds from a starting weight of 427 to my current weight of 246. In addition, I lost 13 pounds between my initial consult and my surgery. So it can be done with a proximal - it all depends on how you "work the tool"...JR
   — John Rushton

June 28, 2003
You can still lose your 130. At your starting weight you would not want distal. I started at 472. I have lost 232 pounds in 19 months. A few months ago, I was thinking how others have lost more then me, so I called the doctors office and found out he does Proximal (120) on all his patients. I wish I was up on the two before I had my surgery so that I could have talked to him about doing distal.
   — bbjnay

June 28, 2003
Hi...I had proximal 10 months ago. I've lost 150lbs so far (started at 349) and I plan on (and see no obstacles to) losing ALL of my excess weight......good luck to you...
   — Debby M.

June 28, 2003
Currently, there are five of us in our family who have had proximal RNY surgery. Starting BMIs were between 43 and 70, and all of us are at goal with weight losses ranging from 100 - 240 lbs. We all had completely problem-free and uncomplicated surgical and post-op courses, and we are from 9 months to 3 1/2 years post-op. It CAN be done! :-)
   — Diana T.

June 28, 2003
Your profile says your BMI is 46. Given that, I'd go with the more conservative surgery (proximal), recognizing that you will have to change your eating and exercise habits anyway after surgery in order to maximize your success. Not all of the final result is a function of what type of surgery you had. I'd wager that, for most people, their own contributions -- new eating and exercise habits -- have a much bigger impact on the final result than whether their RNY was proximal or distal. My BMI was 42 when I started (and dropped to 40 BMI on the day of surgery). I had a proximal RNY and would up overshooting goal by 20 pounds. I also developed another health issue (not caused by or related to WLS) where even more malabsorption would *not* have been a good thing for me. I expect some "bounceback," but man, in my own particular weird case, I am glad I did not have a distal RNY. JMHO (just my humble opinion), and YMMV (your mileage may vary). I believe you can have great success with a proximal RNY. Good luck!
   — Suzy C.

June 28, 2003
You can definately lose all of your weight with a proximal RNY (especially if you only have 130 to lose). I had 100 to lose, had a proximal, and lost it in 7 months - and I'm not a fanatic with diet or exercise. You're pretty much forced to listen to your body. Life is great. BTW - the more distal you go, the more chance of nutritional problems down the road.
   — jengrz

June 29, 2003
I had 100 cm bypassed and the size of my pouch was 60cc's, I only lost 50 pounds. My pre-op weight was 285 and I'm now 237. I am now seeking a surgeon who will convert me to distal. However, I wonder how successful the conversion will be. I have 100 pounds to lose.
   — ellton

June 30, 2003
I'm a proximal and I have lost a total of 140lbs. The last 10 was with my plastic surgery. I was 300lbs at 5'6", size 26. Now I'm 160lbs and a size 8. I was a size 10 pre plastic surgery. I lost the 130lbs in a year (slow loser).So, yes, its very possible!
   — Kris T.