Bariatric Sugery & Medicine Dictionary

A Glossary to Better Understand the Bariatric Literature

ASBS – American Society for Bariatric Surgery. The only society solely dedicated to the surgical treatment of morbid obesity.

Absorption – Process by which digested food is absorbed by the lower part of the small intestine into the blood stream

Adipose – Fatty; pertaining to fat

Anastomosis – Surgical connection between two structures

Bariatric – Pertaining to weight or weight reduction

BMI – Body Mass Index- Method of calculating degree of excess weight. Based on weight and body surface area

Cardiovascular – Pertaining to heart and blood vessels

Clinically severe obesity – Body Mass Index of 40 or more, which is roughly equivalent to 100 pounds or more over ideal body weight; a weight level that is life risking. Also known as Morbid Obesity

Co-Morbid – Associated illness (i.e., arthritis, hypertension) disabling conditions associated with clinically severe obesity or obesity related health conditions

Colon – Large intestine beginning at the end of the small intestine and ending at the rectum

Contraindications – Any symptom or circumstance indicating the inappropriateness of an otherwise advisable treatment (i.e., alcoholism; drug dependency; severe depression; sociopathic (antisocial) personality disorder)

Criteria – Defines potential candidate for surgery

Digestion – Process by which food is broken down by stomach and upper small intestine into absorbable forms

Dilation – Process of enlarging a passage or anastomosis

Disease – Process injurious to health and/or longevity

Divided Gastric Bypass – Operation providing a tool for management of clinically severe obesity

Dumping syndrome – Uncomfortable feeling of nausea, lightheadedness, upset stomach, diarrhea, associated with ingestion of sweets, high-calorie liquids or dairy products

Duodenum – First 12” of small intestine immediately below stomach. Bile and pancreatic fluids flow into duodenum through ducts from liver and pancreas respectively.

Gastric – Pertaining to stomach

Gastric Bypass – Operation designed to make non-functional a portion of the stomach

Gastrointestinal – Pertaining to stomach or intestine

Gastrojejunostomy anastomosis – Upper connection of the Gastric Bypass operation

Gastroplasty – Operation for morbid obesity which reshapes the stomach

Genetic – Pertains to transmitted hereditary characteristics

Hernia – A weakness in the obdominal wall resulting in a detectable bulge

Herniation – Process in which a hernia is formed

Hyperosmolality – Presence of highly concentrated substances capable of producing dumping syndrome

Hypertension – High blood pressure

Ileum – Ten feet of small intestine, responsible for absorption

Jejunum – Ten feet of small intestine; the part responsible for digestion

Kilogram – Measure of weight equal to 2.2 pounds

Laparoscopy – Method of visualizing and treating intra-abdominal problems with long fiber-optic instruments

Morbid – Pertaining to death

Multidisciplinary – Team approach to evaluation and treatment of clinically severe obesity; includes surgical, internal medicine, nutrition, psychiatric, and exercise physiology assessment and treatment

NIH – National Institute of Health

NIH – Consensus Report- Summaries of meetings regarding clinically severe obesity and assessment and treatment of obesity; issued periodically by NIH.

Obesity – Pertaining to excessive weight or adipose tissue

Obstructions – Narrowing of an anastomosis or segment of gastrointestinal tract which retards normal passage of food or waste materials

Psychotherapy – Evaluation and treatment of mentally related disorders

Pulmonary – Pertains to lungs

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass – A surgical method of reconnecting the stomach and upper small intestines in roughly a Y shape

Staples – Surgically sterile devices for connecting tissue; usually permanent and made of stainless steel or titanium

Strictures – Narrowing of anastomosis or section of intestine; often related to scarring or ulcers

Therapy – Treatment

Type II Diabetes – A disorder of glucose and insulin metabolism

VBG – Vertical Banded Gastroplasty: A type of operation to treat clinically severe obesity. Reshapes and restricts the stomach.