Glossary and Reference Sites
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."
ASMBS: The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. http://www.asbs.org. The purpose of the Society is to advance the art and science of bariatric surgery.
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.
CALSURG: The Center for Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery. The premiere advanced laparoscopic surgical center in Orange County, California. CALSURG manages The N.E.W. Program at Community Hospital of Long Beach headquartered in Orange County, CA.
Center of Excellence: A designation given by the Surgical Review Corporation for bariatric surgery programs that deliver bariatric surgical care with the highest levels of efficacy, efficiency and safety.
Co-morbidity: Any disease that is associated with, or a result of, another disease. Co-morbidities of obesity include diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol.
Dumping Syndrome: The unpleasant sensation that can occur in Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass patients after eating food that is high in concentrated sugar or simple carbohydrates. Symptoms often include lightheadedness, heart palpitations, sweating and diarrhea and last 15 minutes or more.
Dysphagia: Food sticking in the esophagus after eating. This is abnormal.
EGD: Esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy. An examination of the lining of the upper part of your gastrointestinal tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine.) 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. This test is useful in diagnosing problems such as hiatal hernia, GERD and peptic ulcer disease.
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.
Gastrectomy: Removal of all, or part, of the stomach.
Hernia: Any situation where an organ 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.
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.
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.
Port: The portion of the Gastric Banding systems 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.
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.
Satiety: Lack of hunger. Satisfaction with the amount of food eaten.
Slip: The term used when a Gastric 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.
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.
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.
Surgical Review Corporation: A non-profit corporation governed by a Board of Directors comprised of industry stakeholders. The Board of Directors sets the overall policy of the organization. SRC's Bariatric Surgery Review Committee, consisting exclusively of bariatric surgeons, assesses applicants to the Bariatric Surgery Centers of Excellence program and helps formulate requirement and guidelines. The Research Advisory Committee oversees the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data. SRC's Strategic Alliances Group brings together patient groups, providers, payors and other industry stakeholders in an effort to improve outcomes and provide patient, provider and payor value.
Reference Sites
The sites recommended below are intended to provide additional information to patients considering surgical treatment for morbid obesity. Websites with accurate information about obesity and surgical treatment of obesity include:
www.asbs.org
Website of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (the surgery for morbid obesity). The purpose of the society is to advance the art and science of bariatric surgery.
www.obesityhelp.com
Website for The Association for Morbid Obesity Support. Obese patients may find helpful resources through this organization.
www.lapband.com
This website is maintained by the company that makes the LAP-BAND System used in laparoscopic surgery for morbid obesity.
www.bariatricedge.com
This is the website for Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., a leading provider of bariatric solutions for bariatric professionals and their patients.