Bariatric
Dictionary
The following glossary may give you a better understanding
when reading 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
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 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.
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