Question:
What is the difference between proximal and distal? Which is better?

   — Kim N. (posted on December 27, 2002)

December 27, 2002
hi there :) the difference is the amount of intestine which is bypassed i believe. distall is usually done for someone that has alot to lose, one not concidered a lightweight. :)
   — carrie M.

December 27, 2002
My doctor bypasses 100 cm (proximal in most people's books) on a lot of people and 150 cm (distal) on the super MO. Although he said he is going more and more to the 150 cm as it seems to produce the best results with various sized people.
   — zoedogcbr

December 27, 2002
I had distal with my lap rny(02/27/02) which is 150cm (about 5 feet), I have lost 158 pounds and 104 inches, and I have already had my tummytuck with muscle repair and breast reduction done on the 2nd.of December, if you can it is best to go with the distal as far as I am concerned.. happy losing!!!
   — bikerchic

December 29, 2002
My surgeon bypasses 150 cm which he considers a short distal. He thinks anything less doesn't provide enough weight loss and more causes too much mal-absorption. He tells us that he bypasses enough to help us but he leaves the burden of responsibility on the patient. He is opposed to too much malabsorption because of the medical issues it causes - he feels it is counter-productive to have a skinny patient who is unhealthy. Open RNY 11/29/01 -160 pounds
   — Patty_Butler