A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Abdominal Wall
The muscles and connective tissue that extend from the ribs to the pelvis.
Adjustment
A procedure where saline is added to or removed from the gastric band in an effort to control the restriction of the band on the stomach. Adding saline (also called a “fill”) will tighten the band to increase the amount of restriction at the stoma allowing the patient to feel full sooner and longer with less food than before the adjustment.
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.
Band Fill
A procedure where saline is added to the gastric band in an effort to increase the restriction of the band on the stomach. A fill will tighten the band to increase the amount of restriction at the stoma allowing the patient to feel full sooner and longer with less food than before the fill.
Bariatric
Pertaining to weight or weight reduction.
Bariatric Surgery
Weight loss surgery.
Bariatric Program
The team may include your bariatric surgeon, primary care physician, psychological counselor, dietician, weight management center, and fitness expert.
Barium
A compound that shows up on X-ray and fluoroscopy. When you swallow a drink that contains barium sulfate, a fluoroscope tracks the barium’s path through your digestive system.
Barrett’s Esophagus
A condition in the esophagus that is associated with an increased risk for esophageal cancer.
Bezoar
Obstructing mass made up of high fiber food materials, hair, etc.
Biocompatible
A material that is not harmful or toxic to living tissue.
Blue Cross
Insurance Carrier (Benefit of large groups – Exclusion of Small & Individual).
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Method of calculating degree of excess weight: Based on weight and body surface area.
Candidate for Surgery
Well–motivated patient, 100 lbs. or more excess weight; BMI of or over 40.
Carbon Dioxide Gas
A natural gas in the atmosphere that is also exhaled by humans.
Cardiovascular
Pertaining to heart and blood vessels.
Certificate of Coverage
A document provided by the health insurance company that describes the details of the plan’s policy, including requirements for eligibility, benefits, deductibles, maximums, and exclusions of coverage.
CHAMPUS
Military insurance coverage.
Cholecystectomy
Removal of the gall bladder.
Cholecystitis
Inflammation of the gall bladder.
Chronic Pancreatitis
Ongoing inflammation of the pancreas that changes its normal structure and function.
Cirrhosis of the Liver
A consequence of ongoing liver disease causing damage and scarring in the liver that leads to the loss of function.
Clinicians
Healthcare professionals such as surgeons, physicians, nurses, dieticians, or X-ray technicians.
Clinically Severe Obesity
100 lbs. over ideal calculated weight (old term: morbid obesity).
Co–Morbid
Associated illness i.e., Arthritis, Hypertension; Disabling condition associated with Clinically Severe Obesity.
Colon
Large intestine beginning at end of the small intestine and ending at the rectum.
Contraindications
Alcoholism; drug dependency; severe depression; sociopathic personality disorder.
Criteria
Defines potential candidate for surgery.
CT Scan
Body scan x-ray.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Blood clot.
Defecation
Evacuation of bowels.
Diabetes Mellitus
A disorder of glucose & insulin metabolism.
Digestion
Process by which food is broken down in the 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 the stomach. Bile and pancreatic fluids flow into the duodenum through ducts from liver and pancreas respectively.
Electrolytes
Chemical elements found in the blood stream and body tissues.
Endoscopy
Examines parts of Gastrointestinal tract by means of a long, slender, flexible, fiber optic instrument.
Enzymes
Complex substances produced by the body which facilitate chemical processes.
Epidural
Close to spinal canal, e.g. epidural in intraspinal anesthesia.
Esophagus
Tubular organ connecting oral pharynx and stomach. Responsible for swallowing.
Esophageal Dysmotility
Inability of the esophagus to move properly, making it difficult to swallow.
Etiology
Cause of.
Flank
Outside or lateral part of abdominal wall.
Fully–Insured Plan
A type of health insurance plan in which the employer pays a monthly premium for a standardized health plan from an insurance company that assumes all risk and cost involved. The insurance company generally makes coverage decisions and must abide by state and federal regulations.
Fluoroscopy
A video image similar to an X-ray that shows real-time movement of internal organs.
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.
Gastrostomy Tube
Tube placed thru skin into lower part of the stomach.
Gastroplasty
Operation for Clinically Severe Obesity which reshapes the stomach.
Genetic
Pertains to transmitted, hereditary characteristics.
Healthcare Team
The team may include your bariatric surgeon, primary care physician, psychological counselor, dietician, weight management center, and fitness expert.
Hemoglobin
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the lungs and tissue.
Hemostasis
Routine process of controlling blood loss during operations.
Hernia
A weakness in the abdominal wall resulting in a detectable bulge.
Herniation
Process in which a hernia is formed.
Hiatal Hernia
A condition when the stomach bulges into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm.
Hyperlipidemia
Excess lipids (or fatty substances) in blood.
Hyperosmolality
Presence of highly concentrated substances capable of producing dumping syndrome.
Hypertension
High blood pressure.
Ideal Calculated Weight
Method of calculating ideal weight. Based solely on height.
Ideal Fill Level
The amount of saline that needs to be added to the gastric band to ensure that the patient is able to lose weight at a satisfactory rate without experiencing uncomfortable side effects. The ideal fill level varies from patient to patient, and from one adjustment to the next.
Ileum
Ten feet of small intestine which is the 3rd and last part. Responsible for absorption.
Incision
A surgical cut made in the skin and underlying tissue.
Intestinal Bypass
Outmoded operation which caused severe malabsorption problems.
Intraspinal
See epidural.
Jackson-Pratt Drain
Soft plastic drain effective in excavating blood and other body fluids.
Jejunal-Ileal
Region of small intestine where the jejunum joins the ileum.
Jejunum
Ten feet of small intestine which is 2nd and middle part: Responsible for digestion.
Ketones
Breakdown products of fatty tissue.
Kilogram
Equal to 2.2 lbs.
Laparoscopic Surgery
Minimally invasive surgery in the abdomen.
Laparoscopy
Method of visualizing and treating intra-abdominal problems with long, fiber optic instrument.
Lean Body Mass
Functional tissues such as bone, muscle and organs. Excludes fatty tissue.
Malabsorption
Abnormal or impaired absorption of food products, vitamins, minerals, and iron.
Marginal Ulcer
Ulcer occurring at anastomosis or junction of the stomach & jejunum.
Mean
The arithmetic average; also called the arithmetic mean.
Meter
Equal to 39.36 inches.
Metropolitan Life
Major insurance carrier.
Minimally Invasive
Another important benefit of gastric banding surgery is that it can be performed in a minimally invasive manner. Laparoscopic surgery is usually shorter in duration; there are no large incisions; it is less painful; and it allows you to go home from the hospital sooner.
Morbid
Pertaining to disease, illness, and increased risk of death.
Morbid Obesity
A condition in which the Body Mass Index is 40 or more, which is roughly equal to 100 lbs. or more over ideal body weight; a weight level that is life-threatening.
Mortality
Pertaining to death.
Multidisciplinary
Team approach to the evaluation and treatment of Clinically Severe Obesity; includes Surgical, Internal Medicine, Nutrition, Psychiatric and Exercise Physiology assessment and treatment.
Nasogastric
Tube leading from nose into stomach.
NIH
National Institutes of Health.
NIH Consensus Reports
1991 and 1992 summaries of meetings regarding Clinically Severe Obesity and Assessment and Treatment of Obesity.
NIH Surgical Criteria
The National Institutes of Health has established minimum requirements for deciding whether bariatric surgery is the right treatment option:
- 100 lbs. 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
Pertaining to excessive weight or adipose tissue.
Obstructions
Narrowing of an anastomosis or segment of gastrointestinal tract which retards normal passage of food or water materials.
Pancreas
Produces insulin and pancreatic enzymes.
Pancreaticobiliary Diversion
Malabsorptive operation.
Pancreatobiliary
Pertaining to pancreatic or liver or bile duct systems.
Pathophysiology
Underlying cause of disease processes.
Peptic
Related to stomach acids or enzymes.
Peristalsis
Undulating, wave like, muscular action which carries food and waste products through the gastrointestinal tract to the rectum.
Percent of Excess Weight Loss (%EWL)
A number that evaluates weight loss over a period of time. The number is calculated in two steps: 1) dividing actual weight loss by ideal weight , then 2) multiplying by 100%.
Phenylpropanolamine
Drug used to control appetite on a temporary basis.
Pleural Effusion
Accumulation of fluid in chest cavity, outside the lungs.
Portal Hypertension
High blood pressure in the large vein that carries blood from the digestive tract to the liver (portal vein); often occurs as a result of cirrhosis.
Prothrombin
Vital substance in blood clotting process.
PT (Prothrombin Time)
Method of measuring prothrombin levels.
Psychotherapy
Evaluation and treatment of mentally related disorders.
Psychometric Evaluation
Method of determining mental and emotional factors.
PTT (Partial Prothrombin Time)
Measures blood clotting functions other than prothrombin.
Pulmonary
Pertains to lungs.
Pulmonary Embolism
A sudden blockage of a lung artery by material circulating in the blood; most often a blood clot from a deep vein in the lungs or pelvis.
Recidivism
Relapse or recurrence of a problem.
Rectum
Lower end of gastrointestinal tract. Reservoir for fecal material.
Regurgitate
To cause backward flow of food from the upper stomach.
Restriction
The tightening of the gastric band and around the stoma.
Retention Sutures
Very large sutures designed to prevent wound separation.
Roux-en-Y Gastrojejunostomy
A surgical method of reconnecting the stomach and upper small intestine roughly in a Y shape.
Saboteur
Someone who attempts to disrupt or discourage the progress of a patient’s success with gastric banding.
Saline
A safe fluid frequently used in intravenous drips (IVs).
Secretory
Producing secretions or internal body fluids.
Self-Funded Plan
A type of health insurance plan in which the employer assumes all risks and costs in providing healthcare to employees and, therefore, decides what is and what is not covered, such as bariatric surgery. Self-funded plans are usually administered by an insurance company. This insurance company is often referred to as the third-party administrator (TPA) of the plan. The TPA performs administrative functions only and does not determine coverage. Self-funded plans are exempt from state regulations, including mandated benefits, premium taxes, and consumer protection laws, but must meet federal regulations.
Septum
A sturdy silicone layer located at the top of the injection port.
Silicone
A solid, soft, and flexible material that does not contain gels or fluids.
Splenic Vessels
Arteries and veins connecting to spleen.
Stoma
The location where the band is wrapped around the stomach. This placement creates a tight junction (passage) between the upper and lower stomach chambers.
Stoma Obstruction
Stoma blockage.
Staples
Surgically sterile devices for connecting tissue; usually permanent and made stainless steel or titanium.
Stomal
Pertains to anastomosis.
Strictures
Narrowing of anastomosis or section of intestine; often related to scarring or ulcers.
Subcutaneous
Layer of fatty tissue between skin and muscle.
Summary Plan Description
Employers with self-funded health insurance plans are legally required to provide this document to their beneficiaries. The document provides plan participants important information about their health benefits. This includes what is covered, financial information, and information on the operation and management of the plan. The information contained in the Summary Plan Description is similar to what is found in the Certificate of Coverage provided by the health insurance company.
Sutures
Surgical, sterile, synthetic materials for connecting or sealing tissues; either permanent or absorbable.
Thrombosis
Clot formation in blood vessels.
Type 2 Diabetes
Most common form of diabetes that causes an abnormally high level of sugar, or glucose, to build up in the blood.
Ulcer
Erosion of lining of the stomach or jejunum.
Upper GI Series
Method of radiographic visualization of the stomach and upper small bowel by means of ingested radiopaque matter.
Vagotomy
Section or removal of Vagus nerves.
Vagus Nerve
Responsible for gastric acid production and motility.
VBG (Vertical Banded Gastroplasty)
A type of operation to treat Clinically Severe Obesity. Reshapes and restricts the stomach.
