Question:
Weight Loss/Maintenance-Distal vs Proximal RNY?

Is the increased weight loss and relatively greater ease of long term maintenance that comes with the Distal RNY worth the increased nutritional deficiencies when compared with the Proximal RNY? What about Medial RNY? (p.s. I have about 190 LBS to lose) Thanks    — Alison P. (posted on July 18, 2002)

July 18, 2002
Hi. I want to lose 200 lbs and my surgeon and I decided that a distal RNY is the best thing for me. There is the problem of more malabsorption and a higher chance of malnutrition, but he said that with careful monitoring and by diligently taking enough calcium, protein and vitamin B12 that I should do fine. I have read that with distal RNY one can be expected to lose appx. 85% of the excess weight (I want to lose 100% of it) whereas with proximal you can expect to lose only 60-75% of the excess weight. Of course, we are all different and many people without distal surgery say that they have lost ALL of their unwanted weight. I think that you and your Doc should decide together and remember: protein, water & exercise!! Good luck to you!!!
   — Rebecca T.

July 18, 2002
Hi!! I too have 200 pounds that i want to lose and my doc says distal is the way to go for me. I will have to stay on a strict regimen of vits etc but if I am going thru all of this to lose weight ...i want to lose a significant amount :) Good Luck in your decision :)
   — Jodi D.

July 18, 2002
I am very distal (1994), have lost 100%, and maintained it. I watch my supplemental nutrition & labwork like a hawk. I work harder at WATCHING than I do at any sort of dieting. To ME, it's worth it. But this is not some kind of thing to be taken lightly. If you're not going to be dedicated to watching those things for yourself, don't do it. As I said, for me, I don't mind at all. Gives me a sensation of control over my health that I never, EVER had before.
   — vitalady

July 19, 2002
I had 217 lbs. to lose and my doctor still did the proximal on me. (He thinks the distal procedure is too risky.) I am SOOO relieved that he did. I'm not the Michelle Curan type who watches every bite and is sure to get the supplements in, so I knew I needed to have a surgery with low malabsorption (proximal). In fact, to this day, all I supplement is the protein, calcium and also a multi-vitamin each day. I have lost 189 lbs. so far (less than 30 lbs. to goal) and I am still losing. Is it possible to start at 400+ lbs. and reach your goal weight without having a distal procedure? YESSSS.
   — Terissa R.