Distal? — Proximal?

I know there were several messages of late about the difference between distal
and proximal. But to my dismay I can not remember what the difference is and if
one is better than the other. — I have gone through the archives of both groups
and could not find info.

Would one of you have an answer for me or direct me to about where in the
archive to look again.

Thank you in advance

Marie — San Leandro, CA

8 Responses to “Distal? — Proximal?”

  1. Joni Glover Says:

    Would one of you have an answer for me or direct me to about where in the
    archive to look again.

    Thank you in advance

    Marie — San Leandro, CA

  2. Maximo Velva Says:

    From what I understand, distal rny involves more of the small intestine to
    be bypassed. (Over 120 cms) Proximal, not as much is bypassed. I’ve seen
    this topic before, but I can’t remember the exact numbers.

    -Michelle

  3. Joni Glover Says:

    -Michelle

  4. Phoebe Tyesha Says:

    Patricia, I’m going to paste Michelle Curran’s description of distal vs
    proximal.

    > Let’s assume that we all start with 300" of (small) intestine. We
    don’t,
    but we need to have a figure, so that’s it. From the pix you’ve seen of
    RNY/gastric bypass, you know there is a left side, right side and tail
    of
    the Y. The "junction" of the sides is the determiner if a procedure is
    proximal or distal.
    >
    > The original intestine comes out of the old stomach and carries the
    digestive juices that are manufactured in the old stomach. This piece
    is
    called the bileo-pancreatic limb because it carries bile from the

    gallbladder and pancreatic juice from the pancreas. There is no food
    here.
    This is the LEFT side of the Y. This is the portion that is bypassed.
    >
    > The alimentary limb connects to the pouch and only carries food, but
    cannot digest or absorb. This is the RIGHT side of the Y.
    >
    > The tail of the Y is where both elements mix together and where
    digestion
    (if any) and whatever absorption will occur. This is the part that is
    still
    in use and is also referred to as the common channel.
    >
    > If the junction of the Y occurs in near proximity to the stomach, it
    is
    said to be proximal. If the junction occurs as a far distance from the
    stomach, it is said to be distal. That said, neither word describes any
    actual measurements of anything, so the meaning is in the mind of the
    person
    speaking of the procedure. What is proximal to my doctor is considered
    distal by another.
    >
    > Generally speaking, ALL RNY people will have to supplement at least
    the
    basic 8 elements, though in varying doses. We are all missing the
    stomach
    and its normal digestive function.
    >
    > Truly distal (with a lot bypassed, and a short common channel) people
    need
    to supplement in larger volume, but will achieve and maintain the better
    weight loss over time. Proximal (less bypassed, longer common channel)
    people still need to supplement the basics and can reach a reasonable
    weight, but after 2 years may have to work a little harder to maintain
    their
    goal weight.
    >
    > My doctor measures what is in use, not what is not. So, in my case, I
    have a 40" common channel, then 60" was used to reach the pouch. The
    bypassed portion is then ABOUT 200".
    >
    > Most procedures performed are measured backwards from that. The doctor
    will bypass 12 to 72", use 60-80" for the right side of the Y, and the
    common channel will be 100-200".
    >
    >Thanks
    Michelle (vitalady)

    Would one of you have an answer for me or direct me to about where in
    the archive to look again.

    Thank you in advance

    Marie — San Leandro, CA

    ADVERTISEMENT

  5. Joni Glover Says:

    > Let’s assume that we all start with 300" of (small) intestine. We
    don’t,
    but we need to have a figure, so that’s it. From the pix you’ve seen of
    RNY/gastric bypass, you know there is a left side, right side and tail
    of
    the Y. The "junction" of the sides is the determiner if a procedure is
    proximal or distal.
    >
    > The original intestine comes out of the old stomach and carries the
    digestive juices that are manufactured in the old stomach. This piece
    is
    called the bileo-pancreatic limb because it carries bile from the
    gallbladder and pancreatic juice from the pancreas. There is no food
    here.
    This is the LEFT side of the Y. This is the portion that is bypassed.

    >
    > The alimentary limb connects to the pouch and only carries food, but
    cannot digest or absorb. This is the RIGHT side of the Y.
    >
    > The tail of the Y is where both elements mix together and where
    digestion
    (if any) and whatever absorption will occur. This is the part that is
    still
    in use and is also referred to as the common channel.
    >
    > If the junction of the Y occurs in near proximity to the stomach, it
    is
    said to be proximal. If the junction occurs as a far distance from the
    stomach, it is said to be distal. That said, neither word describes any
    actual measurements of anything, so the meaning is in the mind of the
    person
    speaking of the procedure. What is proximal to my doctor is considered
    distal by another.
    >
    > Generally speaking, ALL RNY people will have to supplement at least
    the
    basic 8 elements, though in varying doses. We are all missing the
    stomach
    and its normal digestive function.
    >
    > Truly distal (with a lot bypassed, and a short common channel) people
    need
    to supplement in larger volume, but will achieve and maintain the better
    weight loss over time. Proximal (less bypassed, longer common channel)
    people still need to supplement the basics and can reach a reasonable
    weight, but after 2 years may have to work a little harder to maintain
    their
    goal weight.
    >
    > My doctor measures what is in use, not what is not. So, in my case, I
    have a 40" common channel, then 60" was used to reach the pouch. The
    bypassed portion is then ABOUT 200".
    >
    > Most procedures performed are measured backwards from that. The doctor
    will bypass 12 to 72", use 60-80" for the right side of the Y, and the
    common channel will be 100-200".
    >
    >Thanks
    Michelle (vitalady)

    Would one of you have an answer for me or direct me to about where in
    the archive to look again.

    Thank you in advance

    Marie — San Leandro, CA

    ADVERTISEMENT

  6. Phoebe Tyesha Says:

    > Let’s assume that we all start with 300" of (small) intestine. We
    don’t,
    but we need to have a figure, so that’s it. From the pix you’ve seen of
    RNY/gastric bypass, you know there is a left side, right side and tail
    of
    the Y. The "junction" of the sides is the determiner if a procedure is
    proximal or distal.
    >
    > The original intestine comes out of the old stomach and carries the
    digestive juices that are manufactured in the old stomach. This piece
    is
    called the bileo-pancreatic limb because it carries bile from the
    gallbladder and pancreatic juice from the pancreas. There is no food
    here.
    This is the LEFT side of the Y. This is the portion that is bypassed.

    >
    > The alimentary limb connects to the pouch and only carries food, but
    cannot digest or absorb. This is the RIGHT side of the Y.
    >
    > The tail of the Y is where both elements mix together and where
    digestion
    (if any) and whatever absorption will occur. This is the part that is
    still
    in use and is also referred to as the common channel.
    >
    > If the junction of the Y occurs in near proximity to the stomach, it
    is
    said to be proximal. If the junction occurs as a far distance from the
    stomach, it is said to be distal. That said, neither word describes any
    actual measurements of anything, so the meaning is in the mind of the
    person
    speaking of the procedure. What is proximal to my doctor is considered
    distal by another.
    >
    > Generally speaking, ALL RNY people will have to supplement at least
    the
    basic 8 elements, though in varying doses. We are all missing the
    stomach
    and its normal digestive function.
    >
    > Truly distal (with a lot bypassed, and a short common channel) people
    need
    to supplement in larger volume, but will achieve and maintain the better
    weight loss over time. Proximal (less bypassed, longer common channel)
    people still need to supplement the basics and can reach a reasonable
    weight, but after 2 years may have to work a little harder to maintain
    their
    goal weight.
    >
    > My doctor measures what is in use, not what is not. So, in my case, I
    have a 40" common channel, then 60" was used to reach the pouch. The
    bypassed portion is then ABOUT 200".
    >
    > Most procedures performed are measured backwards from that. The doctor
    will bypass 12 to 72", use 60-80" for the right side of the Y, and the
    common channel will be 100-200".
    >
    >Thanks
    Michelle (vitalady)

    Would one of you have an answer for me or direct me to about where in
    the archive to look again.

    Thank you in advance

    Marie — San Leandro, CA

    ADVERTISEMENT

    ADVERTISEMENT

  7. Joni Glover Says:

    > Let’s assume that we all start with 300" of (small) intestine. We
    don’t,
    but we need to have a figure, so that’s it. From the pix you’ve seen of
    RNY/gastric bypass, you know there is a left side, right side and tail
    of
    the Y. The "junction" of the sides is the determiner if a procedure is
    proximal or distal.
    >
    > The original intestine comes out of the old stomach and carries the
    digestive juices that are manufactured in the old stomach. This piece
    is
    called the bileo-pancreatic limb because it carries bile from the
    gallbladder and pancreatic juice from the pancreas. There is no food
    here.
    This is the LEFT side of the Y. This is the portion that is bypassed.

    >
    > The alimentary limb connects to the pouch and only carries food, but
    cannot digest or absorb. This is the RIGHT side of the Y.
    >
    > The tail of the Y is where both elements mix together and where
    digestion
    (if any) and whatever absorption will occur. This is the part that is
    still
    in use and is also referred to as the common channel.
    >
    > If the junction of the Y occurs in near proximity to the stomach, it
    is
    said to be proximal. If the junction occurs as a far distance from the
    stomach, it is said to be distal. That said, neither word describes any
    actual measurements of anything, so the meaning is in the mind of the
    person
    speaking of the procedure. What is proximal to my doctor is considered
    distal by another.
    >
    > Generally speaking, ALL RNY people will have to supplement at least
    the
    basic 8 elements, though in varying doses. We are all missing the
    stomach
    and its normal digestive function.
    >
    > Truly distal (with a lot bypassed, and a short common channel) people
    need
    to supplement in larger volume, but will achieve and maintain the better
    weight loss over time. Proximal (less bypassed, longer common channel)
    people still need to supplement the basics and can reach a reasonable
    weight, but after 2 years may have to work a little harder to maintain
    their
    goal weight.
    >
    > My doctor measures what is in use, not what is not. So, in my case, I
    have a 40" common channel, then 60" was used to reach the pouch. The
    bypassed portion is then ABOUT 200".
    >
    > Most procedures performed are measured backwards from that. The doctor
    will bypass 12 to 72", use 60-80" for the right side of the Y, and the
    common channel will be 100-200".
    >
    >Thanks
    Michelle (vitalady)

    Would one of you have an answer for me or direct me to about where in
    the archive to look again.

    Thank you in advance

    Marie — San Leandro, CA

    ADVERTISEMENT

    ADVERTISEMENT

  8. Phoebe Tyesha Says:

    > Let’s assume that we all start with 300" of (small) intestine. We
    don’t,
    but we need to have a figure, so that’s it. From the pix you’ve seen of
    RNY/gastric bypass, you know there is a left side, right side and tail
    of
    the Y. The "junction" of the sides is the determiner if a procedure is
    proximal or distal.
    >
    > The original intestine comes out of the old stomach and carries the
    digestive juices that are manufactured in the old stomach. This piece
    is
    called the bileo-pancreatic limb because it carries bile from the
    gallbladder and pancreatic juice from the pancreas. There is no food
    here.
    This is the LEFT side of the Y. This is the portion that is bypassed.

    >
    > The alimentary limb connects to the pouch and only carries food, but
    cannot digest or absorb. This is the RIGHT side of the Y.
    >
    > The tail of the Y is where both elements mix together and where
    digestion
    (if any) and whatever absorption will occur. This is the part that is
    still
    in use and is also referred to as the common channel.
    >
    > If the junction of the Y occurs in near proximity to the stomach, it
    is
    said to be proximal. If the junction occurs as a far distance from the
    stomach, it is said to be distal. That said, neither word describes any
    actual measurements of anything, so the meaning is in the mind of the
    person
    speaking of the procedure. What is proximal to my doctor is considered
    distal by another.
    >
    > Generally speaking, ALL RNY people will have to supplement at least
    the
    basic 8 elements, though in varying doses. We are all missing the
    stomach
    and its normal digestive function.
    >
    > Truly distal (with a lot bypassed, and a short common channel) people
    need
    to supplement in larger volume, but will achieve and maintain the better
    weight loss over time. Proximal (less bypassed, longer common channel)
    people still need to supplement the basics and can reach a reasonable
    weight, but after 2 years may have to work a little harder to maintain
    their
    goal weight.
    >
    > My doctor measures what is in use, not what is not. So, in my case, I
    have a 40" common channel, then 60" was used to reach the pouch. The
    bypassed portion is then ABOUT 200".
    >
    > Most procedures performed are measured backwards from that. The doctor
    will bypass 12 to 72", use 60-80" for the right side of the Y, and the
    common channel will be 100-200".
    >
    >Thanks
    Michelle (vitalady)

    Would one of you have an answer for me or direct me to about where in
    the archive to look again.

    Thank you in advance

    Marie — San Leandro, CA

    ADVERTISEMENT

    ADVERTISEMENT

    ADVERTISEMENT

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