Glossary

Glossary of numerous terms pertinent to weight control, nutrition and bariatric surgery.

Anastomosis: The connection formed when sewing together two pieces of stomach and/or intestine. In a gastric bypass there are two anastamoses. The first is the connection between the new stomach pouch and the small intestine, called a "gastro-jejunostomy", and the second is the connection between the small intestine coming from the bypassed stomach and the small intestine coming from the new stomach pouch, called a "jejuno-jejunostomy." Another term for anastamosis is "Stoma."

ASBS: The American Society for Bariatric Surgery. http://www.asbs.org 

BMI: Body Mass Index. This index is a measure of weight that accounts for height. The higher the BMI, the greater the percentage of body fat, in general. The calculation for BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. The BMI is not the most accurate way to estimate obesity - but it is the easiest.

CALSURG: The Center for Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery. The premiere advanced laparoscopic surgical center in Orange County, California. CALSURG manages The N.E.W. Program of Orange County, CA the headquarters of The N.E.W. Program, Inc.

Center of Excellence: The American Society for Bariatric Surgery and several insurance companies are developing the concept of a Center of Excellence. A Center of Excellence will be required to demonstrate a low complication, a comprehensive program and long-term patient follow-up. This is an attempt to promote quality care in bariatric surgery and curtail "Chop Shops."

Chop Shop: A hospital or center that focuses mainly on doing the fastest or easiest procedure on the greatest number of patients, often involving surgeons and other specialists with little genuine interest and training in the treatment of obesity. These are programs that are only superficially comprehensive.

Co-morbidity: Any disease that is associated with, or a result of, another disease. Co-morbidities of obesity include diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. For a more complete listing, click here.

Dumping Syndrome: The unpleasant sensation that occurs after eating food that is high in concentrated sugar or simple carbohydrates. This only occurs in patients who have had a Roux-en-Y operation (often heard as RNY). Symptoms often include lightheadedness, heart palpitations, sweating and diarrhea and last 15 minutes.

Dysphagia: Food sticking in the esophagus after eating. This is abnormal.

EGD: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy. This endoscopic procedure is performed by a gastroenterologist or surgeon by placing a lighted flexible scope into the mouth, down the esophagus, and into the stomach and duodenum. The procedure is generally performed with the patient awake, but lightly sedated.

Endoscopy: The use of a narrow tubular camera and lens to look inside a person. This usually refers to procedures performed by gastroenterologists to look inside the stomach or colon. In general, Endoscopy refers to any procedure where a physician uses a tubular, narrow camera to visualize, or perform procedures, inside the body.

Hernia: Any situation where organs or tissue passes through a small opening from the side or position where it belongs to the other side where it doesn't belong. Usually used to describe a defect in the abdominal muscle that allows abdominal contents to bulge through. An internal hernia is a bulge of intestine through a small, internal opening inside the abdomen. Symptoms are often vague abdominal pain.

Ideal Body weight: The standards set by the Metropolitan Life insurance company. The company looked at hundreds of thousands of people to determine what weight is the healthiest.

Inamed: the Corporation that produces the LAP-BAND® System. http://www.inamed.com 

Jejunum: The Jejunum is the first half of the small intestine. Generally, all intestinal surgery during a gastric bypass involves the jejunum

Laparoscope: A long, narrow, tubular instrument used in the field of laparoscopy that has a lens on one end and a camera on the other. This allows the surgeon to see inside the abdomen using only tiny incisions.

Laparoscopy: The general category of procedures where a laparoscope is used.

Malabsorption: A situation where only a small percentage of the calories and nutrients eaten are digested and absorbed.

Minimally Invasive surgery: Surgery that is based on the concept that patient outcomes are improved with less surgical trauma. The main example is laparoscopic procedures

Mini-gastric bypass: An operation for weight loss that should not be performed. The MGB can cause bile gastritis and severe reflux. This operation is not condoned by the ASBS or the NIH.

Upper GI: An X-Ray test where a solution is swallowed and x-rays are taken showing the way that the solution outlines the esophagus, stomach and intestine. Sometimes known as a "barium swallow." Your surgeon may order this study after your operation to get an x-ray look at the post-operative anatomy.

Gastrectomy: Removal of all, or part, of the stomach.

Satiety: Lack of Hunger. Satisfaction with the amount of food eaten.

Stoma: Short for Anastomosis. The Stoma in a gastric bypass refers to the opening between the stomach and the intestine. The stoma is purposely made small - about 1.0 to 1.5 cm in diameter.

Slip: The term used when a LAP-BAND® moves out of position. Symptoms can be mild such as heartburn, or can be severe such as abdominal pain and the inability to tolerate even liquids.

Stricture: Generally used in bariatric surgery to refer to a narrowing of the stoma. Stricture can also refer to a narrowing anywhere along the intestine. These generally occur weeks to months after the operation and may need to be dilated back to the optimal size using Endoscopy, or may require a re-operation to correct.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A significant medical disease caused by closure of the throat during sleep. This is very common in obese people. Sleep apnea strains the heart and lungs and is a significant cause of early death.

PCA: Patient Controlled Analgesia. A pump attached to the IV after surgery which allows a patient to push a button and give themselves a dose of pain medication. Often used during the first night in the hospital after surgery.

Pre-Approval: This term is used when the insurance company has agreed, prior to surgery, to cover the procedure.

Port: the portion of the LAP-BAND® that is accessible under the skin for the injection or removal of saline.

Pouch: The newly created stomach after bariatric surgery. Usually holds about an ounce of food.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: This is a common disease among women who are obese. PCOS causes irregular menstrual cycles, excess hair growth, infertility and acne. Often, many of the symptoms of PCOS will resolve with weight loss.