ObesityHelp

Question:
Okay, I'm thoroughly confused! Limbs long or short?

Can someone please provide a concise definition of the differences between the long and short limb RNY? Is one distal where the other is proximal or does the length of the limb have nothing to do with the length of the bypassed section? Thanks everyone!    — Sharon F. (posted on June 29, 2000)

June 29, 2000
Generally, long limb is a distal bypass and whort limb is a proximal bypass. The actual length of the bypass varies from surgeon to surgeon and patient to patient. I had a DS with a 100cm common tract, which makes mine a distal operation. People who've had distal and proximal RNYs may be able to give you more information about the actual length of their bypasses. Good luck with your research!
   — Duffy H.

June 29, 2000
Since posting this question, I have come across a definitive answer from www.obesity.org. I thought I'd post it so that anyone else who may have wondered about the terminology would know, too. Here goes: Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RGB) - is the most commonly performed gastric bypass procedure,8 and the second most frequently performed surgery for obesity after VBG.3 RGB involves a stomach pouch for food intake restriction. A direct connection, which is Y-shaped, is made from the ileum or jejunum to the stomach pouch for malabsorption. The longer the segment of small intestine bypassed, the greater the malabsorption component and the greater the weight loss. Gastric bypass with an extensive segment of small bowel bypassed is termed “Long Limb Gastric Bypass.” I'm scheduled for surgery in a week and I would have had a fit if I didn't find that info out! :-) Good luck, everyone. Sharon
   — Sharon F.

June 29, 2000
Interestingly, most DS patients, who definitely have a distal bypass, need about the same amount of protein as Proximal RNy patients, about 60g per day. I'm an exception, requiring about 90g per day, even though my common tract is 100cm (just over 3 feet), about the same as most other DSers. It's not particularly important, just one of those Gee Whiz things, I guess.
   — Duffy H.

June 30, 2000
i had an open rny proximal. my surgeon bypasses 225 cm and still calls that proximal. he says a distal bypass only leaves about 75cm of common tract. he feels the results with his limb are as good without any nutritional consequences. i'm only 2/12 weeks out so we'll see. good luck shelly
   — shelly R.