Question:
My dr only does proximal...

I have been researching the difference between Proximal and Distal and it seems like you lose more with Distal. My dr only does proximal and says he will bypass 100 - 150 cm. I want/need to lose about 200 pds will proximal work for me? Thanks in advance for your help    — Dana R. (posted on July 24, 2002)

July 24, 2002
well Dana I am a proximal I am 9 mo out and have lost 158 lbs with about 65 more to go In my opinion it works maybe distal would be faster maybe i wont lose all of it but I say i am way better of now then before with distal there is more malnutrtion problems then with proximal what ever you decide Good luck to you
   — gerirose C.

July 24, 2002
My surgeon also only does proximal and maxes at 100cm. He says beyond that it enters "experimental" to insurance companies and the risk factors, especially malnutrition, go up a lot! I want to lose 250 and he seems confident! I'm willing to do whatever it takes to be successful!
   — jen41766

July 25, 2002
I think that some surgeons consider the 150 cm to be distal. It all depends on your surgeon. Some around here give you one cm for every 20 pounds you are overweight. Others just automatically go to the 150 mark. Almost everyone I have talked to says that 50 cm (not 150) is proximal.
   — CatLover1964