Glossary of Terms

Absorption

Process by which digested food is absorbed by the lower part of the small intestine into the bloodstream.

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 the 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 abdominal 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

Lleum

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 disease, illness, increased risk of death

Morbid 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

Mortality

Pertaining to death

Multi-disciplinary

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

NIH

National Institutes 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 the 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 2 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.