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As a potential patient who is investigating the procedure of bariatric
surgery, you will probably be introduced to some terminology that is
esoteric to having weight loss surgery. Below is a list of some
Bariatric Terminology. If you have questions about any of these terms,
please feel free to attend one of our support group meetings, and ask
one of our surgeons to explain anything you want to know in more detail.
Our surgeons participate in our support group and all of them attend
each meeting.
Or you can call or
write an
e-mail Tina today and make an
appointment to consult with any one of our surgeons 609.877.1737.
Please click here for the 2006 support group
calendar
Weight Loss Surgery Terms
Bariatric
Pertaining to weight. Bariatric surgery may be performed by bariatric
surgeons. Bariatric physicians are usually internists who specialize in
non-surgical weight management.
Bariatric Surgery
A surgical procedure used for the clinically
obese as a weight loss tool. The Surgical Procedure can be:
-
Restrictive (Minimizing the amount of
food a patient can eat)
-
Malabsorptive (Where the patient can eat
larger amounts of food, but it will not be absorbed into the system.
-
Restrictive and Malabsorptive
B M I
Body mass index.
A formula for standardizing the extent of overweight.
Clinically severe obesity
The newer term for morbid obesity. Morbid obesity is defined as being
100 or more pounds over normal body weight.
Dumping syndrome
Dumping Syndrome occurs when the stomach contents move too rapidly
through the small intestine. This usually occurs most frequently by
eating foods high in sugars, heavy simple carbohydrates (pasta) or foods
with a high fat content. Symptoms include nausea, weakness, sweating,
faintness, and, occasionally, diarrhea after eating, Dumping syndrome is
very common for the post-op bariatric patient it is the side affect of
the inability to eat sweets without becoming so weak and sweaty that the
patient may have to lie down until the symptoms pass.
Extensive gastric bypass (biliopancreatic diversion)
In this more complicated gastric bypass operation, portions of the
stomach are removed. The small pouch that remains is connected directly
to the final segment of the small intestine, thus completely bypassing
both the duodenum and jejunum. Although this procedure successfully
promotes weight loss, it is not widely used because of the high risk for
nutritional deficiencies.
Gastric banding
In this procedure, a band made of special material is placed around the
stomach near its upper end, creating a small pouch and a narrow passage
into the larger remainder of the stomach.
Hernia
The protrusion of a loop of an organ or tissue through a weakened
opening. Ten to 20 percent of patients who have weight-loss surgery
develop a hernia.
Intestinal bypass (no longer done)
This procedure has evolved and improved since
it was first introduced some twenty years ago. In the early days,
intestinal bypass — which is totally different from gastric bypass — had
some very serious complications. Compared to the intestinal bypass,
gastric bypass is relatively safe with fewer complications.
Laparoscopic
Abbreviated “Lap.” Operation performed using a laparoscope, a thin
fiber-optic scope introduced into a body cavity through 4 or 5 small
stab wounds. A Laparoscopic procedure, usually means less surgical
related pain for the patient, less of a chance for wound infection, and
a shorter recovery time. Most surgeons who offer the Laparoscopic
procedure are and should be trained and skilled in the "open" procedure,
just in case the "Lap" procedure becomes difficult, they will proceed
using a full open version of the same surgery.
Malabsorption
Impaired intestinal absorption of nutrients, causing food to be poorly
digested and absorbed.
Morbid Obesity
Severe obesity in which a person's BMI is over
40. This is generally equivalent to having 100 or more pounds to lose.
Open
Making an incision to do the operation;
opening the abdomen.
Preop
Before surgery (Pre Operation). The time/events prior to surgery.
Postop
After surgery (Post Operation). The time/events
after surgery.
Periop
Surrounding surgery (Peri=“around”, as in
periscope [“around-looking”]). The time/events before, during and after
surgery.
Panniculectomy
The removal of the tissue and skin from the abdomen; a tummy tuck.
(Never use the term “tummy tuck” when communicating with an insurance
company. They like to deny this surgery!)
Pouch
The new small stomach created during most bariatric surgeries.
Restrictive operation (weight-loss
surgery)
Restriction operations are the surgeries most often used for producing
weight loss. Food intake is restricted by creating a small pouch at the
top of the stomach where the food enters from the esophagus. The pouch
initially holds about 1 ounce of food and expands to 2-3 ounces with
time. The pouch's lower outlet has a small opening. The small outlet
delays the emptying of food from the pouch and causes a feeling of
fullness. Restriction operations for obesity include gastric banding and
vertical banded gastroplasty. Both operations serve only to restrict
food intake. They do not interfere with the normal digestive process.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RGB)
This operation is the most common gastric bypass procedure. First, a
small stomach pouch is created by stapling or by vertical banding. This
causes restriction in food intake. Next, a Y-shaped section of the small
intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the duodenum
(the first segment of the small intestine) as well as the first portion
of the jejunum (the second segment of the small intestine). This causes
reduced calorie and nutrient absorption The procedure is more extensive
than the VBG (below). Some people prefer it because of a sick feeling
that results (called “dumping”) when post op patients overeat. This can
be a powerful feedback/learning mechanism whereby people lose their
interest — at a “gut instinct” level — in eating excessive
carbohydrates.
Vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG)
This procedure is becoming the most frequently used restrictive
operation for weight control. It is less extensive than the RNY (above).
Both a band and staples are used to create a small stomach pouch. The
procedure works best on individuals who are not binge eaters. |
