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Glossary

Common terms and phrases

Bariatric A term having to do with weight or weight reduction.
Body Mass Index (BMI) A method of figuring out the degree of excess weight, based on weight and height.
Co-morbid Condition This is a disease or disorder related to a primary condition.
Colon The part of the large intestine that starts at the end of the small intestine and ends at the rectum.
Duodenum The first 12 inches of small intestine immediately below the stomach. Bile and pancreatic fluids flow into the duodenum from the liver and pancreas.
Excess Weight Excess weight is the difference between the patient’s actual weight and a healthy weight.
Gastric A term having to do with the stomach.
Gastric Banding Surgery In this surgical procedure, a silicone band is placed around the stomach, creating a small pouch. The band is filled with a nontoxic fluid, most commonly a saline solution; adjustments are performed by a healthcare professional who accesses the balloon via a subcutaneous port.
Gastric Bypass Surgery During gastric bypass, the operating surgeon uses part of the stomach to form a small stomach pouch and reroutes a part of the small intestine. There are several variations of gastric bypass surgery including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, extensive gastric bypass, and very long-limb gastric bypass.
Gastrointestinal This term describes the entire digestive tract.
Hypertension This is a term for high blood pressure.
Ileum The 10 feet of small intestine responsible for absorption.
Improvement This term is used to describe limited relief of symptoms.
Jejunum The 10 feet of small intestine responsible for digestion.
Laparoscopy A method that allows a doctor to see and treat intra-abdominal problems with long fiber optic instruments and without a large incision, offering faster recovery, fewer complications and minimal scarring.
MBSAQIP A program to provide national accreditation standards for bariatric surgery centers. MBSAQIP = Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement.
Metabolic surgery Metabolic Surgery is used to describe weight loss treatments and procedures to treat metabolic diseases, especially, type 2 diabetes.
Morbid This term refers to disease or illness.
Morbid Obesity A Body Mass Index of 40 or greater, which is roughly equal to 100 pounds or more over ideal body weight, or a Body Mass Index of greater than 35 with two or more co-morbid conditions. For gastric banding procedures, the criteria are a BMI greater than 35, or a BMI greater than 30 plus two significant medical problems.
Obesity Excessive weight or adipose tissue.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery A surgical method of reconnecting the stomach and upper small intestine in a Y- shape.
Staples Surgically sterile staples, similar in look and function to those used to fasten paper, for connecting tissue. Staples are usually permanent and made of stainless steel or titanium.
Type 2 Diabetes A disorder of glucose and insulin metabolism.