Weight Loss Surgery Learning Library

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Surgical Weight Loss Definitions

ASMBS - American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. The only society solely dedicated to the surgical treatment of morbid obesity.

Absorption - Process in which digested food is absorbed by the lower part of the small intestine into the bloodstream

Adipose Fatty; having to do with fat

Anastomosis - Surgical connection between two structures

Bariatric - Having to do with weight or weight reduction

Body Mass Index (BMI)
Method of calculating the degree of excess weight. Based on weight and height.

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Cardiovascular - Having to do with the heart and blood vessels

Clinically Severe Obesity - Body Mass Index of 40 or more, which is roughly equal to 100 pounds or more over ideal body weight; a weight level that is life-threatening. Also known as morbid obesity.

Co-Morbid - Related illnesses (i.e., arthritis, hypertension) or disabling conditions related to 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 a candidate for surgery.

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

Dilation - Process of enlarging or further opening a passage or anastomosis

Disease - Process that is a hazard to health and/or longevity

Divided Gastric Bypass Surgery - Surgical operation that provides a way to manage clinically severe obesity

Dumping Syndrome - Uncomfortable feeling of nausea, lightheadedness, upset stomach, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, related to ingestion of sweets, high-calorie liquids, or dairy products

Duodenum - First 12 inches of small intestine immediately below the stomach. Bile and pancreatic fluids flow into the duodenum through ducts from the liver and pancreas.

Gastric - Having to do with the stomach

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

Gastric Sleeve - The gastric sleeve involves removing 2/3 of the stomach with a stapling device and is the first part of a duodenal switch operation. It leaves a stomach tube instead of a pouch. In the case of a super morbidly obese person, this operation is offered because it allows good weight loss so the patient can get to a safe weight for the more radical bypass operation which can be done laparoscopically. Learn More

Gastrointestinal - Having to do with the stomach or intestine

Gastrojejunostomy Anastomosis - Upper connection of the gastric bypass operation

Gastroplasty - Surgical operation for morbid obesity that changes the shape of the stomach

Genetic - Having to do with inherited physical characteristics

Hernia - A weakness in the abdominal wall that results in a detectable bulge

Herniation - Process in which a hernia is formed

Hyperosmolality - Having highly concentrated substances that are capable of causing dumping syndrome

Hypertension - High blood pressure

Ileum - The 10 feet of small intestine that handle absorption

Jejunum - The 10 feet of small intestine that handle 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 - Having to do with disease, illness, and a higher risk of death

Morbid Obesity - Body Mass Index of 40 or more, which is roughly equal to 100 pounds or more over ideal body weight; a weight level that is life-threatening

Mortality - Having to do with death

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

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NIH
National Institutes of Health

NIH Consensus Report - Summaries of meetings about clinically severe obesity and the assessment and treatment of obesity; issued periodically by NIH

NIH Surgical Criteria - The National Institutes of Health has established minimum requirements for deciding whether bariatric surgery is the right treatment option:

* 100 pounds or more above ideal body weight or a BMI of 40 or greater
* BMI of 35 or greater with one or more obesity-related health condition

Obesity - Having to do with excessive weight or adipose tissue

Obstructions - Narrowing of an anastomosis or a part of the gastrointestinal tract that slows down the normal passage of food or waste

Psychotherapy - Testing and treatment of mentally related disorders

Pulmonary - Having to do with the lungs

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

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

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

Therapy - Treatment

Type II Diabetes - A disorder of glucose and insulin metabolism

Vertical Banded Gastroplasty - A type of surgical operation to treat clinically severe obesity. Changes the shape of and restricts the stomach. Not performed very often.