Question:
what is the difference between Open RNY-Proximal and OPEN RNY-Distal

   — [Anonymous] (posted on August 4, 2001)

August 4, 2001
I believe it has to do with length of "limb" that is bypassed.Please correct me if I am wrong, as I wondered about this also.
   — lovebug2

August 4, 2001
Hi! With a proximal roux-en-y, they bypass about 70 cm of your small intestine. This eliminates some absorption of calories, fat and nutrients, so you need to take life-long vitamin and mineral supplement daily, and it helps in the weight loss. They only do the distal roux-en-y for people who have a high BMI (I think 50 or higher). This will give more weight loss, because even more intestine is bypassed; however, these people are also at greater risk of nutritional deficiencies long-term. Ask your surgeon; he will base it on your weight vs. height ratio. Open simply means that they do open you up to do the surgery. Laparoscopic means they go in through several small incisions or "ports" and use a 3-D scope to do the work; typically this is only done for those who are on the lower end of the BMIs; when there is a lot of abdominal fat or tissue, they simply cannot see well or work the instruments well laparoscopically and have to do it open instead. Hope this helps! Find a support group in your area (call your local hospital and ask if they have a "gastric bypass support group" who meets there - those folks will have a ton of information to share with you!) Best of luck!
   — Lisa D.