Glossary of Terms

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 figuring out the degree of excess weight. Based on weight and height.

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 situation that is inappropriate for an otherwise recommended treatment (i.e., alcoholism, drug dependency, severe depression, sociopathic [antisocial] personality disorder)

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

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 Bypass Surgery: Operation designed to make a portion of the stomach nonfunctioning and to reroute the small intestine

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

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

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

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

Multidisciplinary Bariatric Program: Team approach to testing and treatment of clinically severe obesity; includes surgical, internal medicine, nutrition, psychiatric, and exercise physiology, assessment, and treatment

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

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

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

Type 2 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.