Glossary of terms used on this site
There are 28 entries in this glossary.All
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Abdominoplasty |
Commonly referred to as a "tummy tuck," an abdominoplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen. |
| Adjustments |
This is the process of adjusting the LAP-BAND® with more or less fluid, depending on the individual's needs. This is usually done at an out-patient facility and isn't invasive or time consuming. These are also occasionally called 'fills'. |
| Bariatric |
Relating to the branch of medicine that deals with the treatment and prevention of obesity, including surgery, diet, exercise, medication, and behavioral therapy. |
| BMI |
This is the abbreviation of 'Body Mass Index'. The BMI is an equation that includes a person's height and weight in order to get a 2-digit number. A BMI of 25-29.9 is considered overweight, a BMI of 30-39.9 is considered obese, and a BMI of 40 and above is considered morbidly obese. For many insurance companies and doctors, a person must be morbidly obese or have underlying co-morbidity ailments in order to be a candidate for weight loss surgery. |
| Bougie |
This is thin tube made out of plastic, rubber, or another material in order to widen a passageway, dislodge a foreign object, or guide a medical instrument into the body. Bougies come in different widths and can be enlarged using a balloon inside the cylinder. |
| Co-Morbidity |
This is the presence of 1 or more aliments or illnesses in conjunction with a primary disease or illness. The Charleston Index measures a person's likelihood of death resulting in their types of ailments, which are all given a ratings number, depending on how fatal they are within 1 year. For example, if obesity was the primary disease, and the patient also has diabetes, then the Charleston index for the diabetes has a strong likelihood of decreasing if a patient loses a large amount of weight with weight loss surgery. |
| Dumping Syndrome |
This occurs when the lower portion of the small intestine expands too quickly because of food that has excess fluid or unhealthy nutrients. This may include high-fat and high-carbohydrate foods. There are 2 stages of dumping syndrome- early and late. Early dumping usually occurs during food ingestion or immediately after. The symptoms can include bloating, nausea, and fatigue. Late dumping occurs 1-3 hours after food ingestion with symptoms that include weakness and dizziness. This syndrome is usually associated with different types of gastric surgery and can be prevented by avoiding foods that are known to cause it and by eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. In addition, some patients may experience dumping syndrome even though they are eating a healthy diet. |
| Duodenum |
This is the beginning portion of the small intestine. It is about 11 inches long. |
| Fills |
See 'Adjustments'. |
| Gastrectomy |
partial or full removal of the stomach |
| Gastric Bypass |
A procedure used to treat obesity that divides the stomach into a small upper pouch and a larger lower pouch and then reroutes a section of the small intestine so that both pouches remain connected to it. Different types of gastric bypass surgery use different methods of reconnecting the small intestine. The most common form of gastric bypass surgery in the United States is the Roux-en-Y variant, in which the small intestine is reconfigured into "Y" shape. |
| Gastric Dumping Syndrome |
See 'Dumping Syndrome'. |
| Gastroplasty |
Surgical repair or reshaping of the stomach. |
| Hyperlipidemia |
The American Heart Association defines this condition as .the elevation of lipids (fats) in the bloodstream.. These fats include cholesterol, triglycerides, and cholesterol esthers. |
| Hypertension |
This also means high blood pressure. There are 2 types- essential or secondary. Essential, or primary, isn't caused by another condition, like the secondary classification. |
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