Adipose
Tissue made up of
mainly fat cells.
Bariatric
A term having to do
with weight or
weight reduction.
Body Mass Index
(BMI)
A method of figuring
out the degree of
excess weight, based
on weight and
height.
Cardiovascular
A term referring to
the heart and blood
vessels.
Co-morbid
Condition
This is a disease or
disorder related to
a primary condition.
Colon
The part of the
large intestine that
starts at the end of
the small intestine
and ends at the
rectum.
Contraindications
Any symptom or
circumstance, such
as substance abuse,
emotional health
issues, or other
health conditions,
that causes a
healthcare
professional to not
recommend a
treatment.
Criteria
A standard on which
a judgment or
decision may be
based.
Digestion
A process in which
food is broken down
into absorbable
forms by the stomach
and upper small
intestine.
Dilation
The process of
enlarging or further
opening a passage or
anastomosis.
Disease
A process that is a
hazard to health
and/or longevity.
Divided
Gastric Bypass
Surgery
A surgical operation
that provides a way
to manage clinically
severe obesity.
Dumping
Syndrome
An uncomfortable
episode of nausea,
lightheadedness,
upset stomach,
vomiting, and/or
diarrhea, related to
ingestion of
high-sugar, high-fat
foods or liquids
that can occur after
certain bariatric
surgeries, such as
gastric bypass.
Duodenum
The first 12 inches
of small intestine
immediately below
the stomach. Bile
and pancreatic
fluids flow into the
duodenum from the
liver and pancreas.
Excess Weight
Excess weight is the
difference between
the patient’s actual
weight and a healthy
weight.
Gastric
A term having to do
with the stomach.
Gastric
Banding Surgery
This is a
restrictive surgical
procedure during
which a silicone
band is placed
around the stomach,
creating a small
pouch. The band
includes a balloon
that is filled with
a nontoxic fluid,
most commonly a
saline solution;
adjustments are
performed by a
healthcare
professional who
accesses the balloon
via a subcutaneous
port.
Gastric Bypass
Surgery
This surgical
procedure uses both
malabsorption and
restriction. During
gastric bypass, the
operating surgeon
uses part of the
stomach to form a
small stomach pouch
and reroutes a part
of the small
intestine. There are
several variations
of gastric bypass
surgery including
Roux-en-Y gastric
bypass, extensive
gastric bypass, and
very long-limb
gastric bypass.
Gastrointestinal
This term describes
the entire digestive
tract.
Gastroplasty
A surgical procedure
for morbid obesity
that changes the
shape of the
stomach.
Genetic
This term pertains
to inherited
characteristics.
Hernia
A weakness in the
tissue of the
abdominal wall that
results in a
detectable bulge.
Herniation
A process in which a
hernia is formed.
Hydration
The condition of
having adequate
fluid in the body
tissue.
Hypertension
This is a term for
high blood pressure.
Ileum
The 10 feet of small
intestine
responsible for
absorption.
Improvement
This term is used to
describe limited
relief of symptoms.
Jejunum
The 10 feet of small
intestine
responsible for
digestion.
Kilogram
A measure of weight
equal to 2.2 pounds.
Laparoscopy
A method that allows
a doctor to see and
treat
intra-abdominal
problems with long
fiber-optic
instruments.
Morbid
This term refers to
disease or illness.
Morbid Obesity
A Body Mass Index of
40 or greater, which
is roughly equal to
100 pounds or more
over ideal body
weight, or a Body
Mass Index of 35 or
greater with one or
more co-morbid
condition; these
weight levels can be
life-threatening.
Mortality
A term having to do
with death.
Multidisciplinary
Bariatric Program
A team approach to
testing and
treatment of
clinically severe
obesity. It includes
surgical, internal
medicine, nutrition,
psychiatric,
exercise physiology,
assessment, and
treatment.
Obesity
A term having to do
with excessive
weight or adipose
tissue.
Obstruction
The narrowing of an
anastomosis or a
part of the
gastrointestinal
tract that slows
down the normal
passage of food or
waste.
Psychotherapy
The testing and
treatment of
emotional disorders.
Pulmonary
A term having to do
with the lungs.
Resolution
The complete relief
from symptoms of a
disease or disorder,
such that medical
tests do not detect
its existence.
Relative Risk
The comparison of
how likely an event
is to occur to a
person versus
another person.
Roux-en-Y
Gastric Bypass
Surgery
A surgical method of
reconnecting the
stomach and upper
small intestine in a
Y- shape.
Staples
Surgically sterile
staples, similar in
look and function to
those used to fasten
paper, for
connecting tissue.
Staples are usually
permanent and made
of stainless steel
or titanium.
Strictures
The narrowing of
anastomosis or a
section of intestine
that is often
related to scarring
or ulcers.
Therapy
The treatment of a
disorder.
Type 2
Diabetes
A disorder of
glucose and insulin
metabolism.
Vertical
Banded Gastroplasty
A type of surgical
procedure to treat
morbid obesity that
changes the shape of
and restricts the
stomach. This
procedure is not
performed very
often.
