Distal RNY

Okay!  I have a question for you guys.  Since most of us are in the St. V's network here, does anyone know how much they were bypassed?  And would Dr. Gupta do a Bypass to 150 CM?  I am asking that because I have a very High BMI and I really need all the help I can get.  I know I would lose with a Proximal RNY, but it would be a little harder for me to lose wieght and keep it off in the long run after a certain amount of time.  I also know that Anthem will approve surgeries up to 150 CM.  I was just wondering if I told Dr. Gupta or her staff that I wanted a distal RNY, would they do it?  Or do most of them just bypass the same amount for all of there patients?

greetings! i don't know what the st. v's standards are regarding how much they bypass. i know after my surgery, i asked dr. huse if i was distal or proximal, and he said proximal.  but, i can tell you that my weight the day of my surgery was 463, bmi was 66. so we started at about the same place, and today i weigh 183. you can do it! best of luck to you. deb

Wow Deb that totally gives me enlightenment!!!  I just have seen people with my weight and they have distal RNY and do great, and other that have proximal only get down to like 270 and I was like I at least want to be 200 220 at the most after I stop losing.  So these things just kind of freak me out!!  But thank you so much for your answer.  It gives me some light at the end of the tunnel

brok- you might want to check out the "bmi over 50" board here at OH...it's a nice, friendly group, and you'll find more people facing the issues that come with higher bmi numbers.  deb

Brok - I'm not really sure hon what I have. I'm assuming a proximal because someone said that they can't do the distal laproscopically but I could be wrong. I will have to ask at my next appointment.

Brok, I personally can't imagine me telling Dr. Gupta (or any other surgeon) that I want her to do a surgery a particular way. I'm the type of person who puts my trust in the surgeon's decisions on my health. It doesn't hurt to ask how much is normally bypassed or to ask if your's would be proximal or distal..but I really don't think I would be making a statement of 'I want it up to 150 cm'. And remember, just because something CAN be done, doesn't mean it SHOULD be done. I would leave that decision up to Dr. Gupta to make for you. As to being post-op sucessful, YOU have more to do with that than the type of surgery you have. I had heard how the lapband just wasn't good at all..then I met Jodi (Jo-Mac). The lapband can be a wonderful tool as long as the patient is dedicated to using it correctly! The RNY (either way) and the DS are also JUST TOOLS. For ANY weight loss surgery to be successful, the patient MUST make lifestyle changes! If they don't, their weight loss is not only going to slow way down, but they will probably also regain all their weight back. With any of them, a patient WILL lose weight the first year (aka the Honeymoon stage). After that, if lifestyle/behavior changes haven't been put into place, the weight WILL come back. For any of them, you HAVE to choose your foods wisely and in correct proportions, you HAVE to drink your fluids & get in enough protein, and you HAVE to get exercise in. The first year post-op, WLS helps you to do that..but after that, it becomes increasingly up to YOU to do. I was 352 pre-op...I'm now 145 lb. Sherri