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Glossary

Acute
Urgent or severe situation or disease
Adhesion
The joining or sticking together of parts of an organ that are not normally joined together
Anastamosis
Surgical, traumatic, or pathological formation of an opening between two normally distinct spaces or organs
Anemia
Condition of low red blood cells in bloodstream
Aortic Aneurism
An abnormal blood-filled dilatation of the aortic artery resulting from disease of the vessel wall
Asthma
A chronic respiratory disease, often arising from allergies, that is characterized by sudden recurring attacks of labored breathing, chest constriction, and coughing
B12
A vitamin involved in the metabolism of protein, fats, and carbohydrates; normal blood
Bariatric Coordinator
Bariatric Program Manager, usually an RN who coordinates care and education for the bariatric patient
Bariatrics
The branch of medicine that deals with the causes, prevention, and treatment of obesity
Behavioral
The actions or reactions of a person or animal in response to external or internal stimuli
BMI
Body Mass Index measured as the ratio height to weight (kilograms/meters2 )
Bowel
Referring to the small or large intestines
BRFSS
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System is the world’s largest, on-going telephone health survey system, tracking health conditions and risk behaviors in the United States yearly since 1989
Calcium
The calcium 2+ ion is involved in many physiologic processes
Carbohydrate
Any of various compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (as sugars, starches, and celluloses
Cardiovascular
Of, relating to, or involving the heart and the blood vessels
CABG
Coronary artery bypass graft. Performed to improve blood supply to the heart
CHF
Chronic Heart Failure
Cholesterol
A white crystalline substance, C27H45OH, found in animal tissues and various foods, that is normally synthesized by the liver and is important as a constituent of cell membranes and a precursor to steroid hormones. Its level in the bloodstream can influence the pathogenesis of certain conditions, such as the development of atherosclerotic plaque and coronary artery disease
ChronicLong-term situation or disease
Cirrhosis
A chronic disease of the liver characterized by the replacement of normal tissue with fibrous tissue and the loss of functional liver cells
Co-morbidity
A condition that exists in relation to or in addition to another condition
Compliance
A term used to describe how well a patient's behavior follows medical advice
Complication
A process or event occurring during a disease that is not an essential part of the disease; it may result from the disease or from independent causes
Constipation
Acute or chronic condition in which bowel movements occur less often than usual
Consultation
A visit with a medical professional to share knowledge and expectations
Deficiency
An insufficient level of a substance or circumstance
Dehydration
Referring to a dangerously low level of fluids in the body
Diabetes
Any of several metabolic disorders marked by excessive discharge of urine and persistent thirst, especially one of the two types of diabetes mellitus
Diagnosis
Process of identifying an issue, disease or event
Diarrhea
Loose or liquid bowel movement or stool
Diet
The usual food and drink of a person or animal
Dilatation
the condition of being stretched beyond normal dimensions especially as a result of overwork or disease or of abnormal relaxation
Distal
Referring to the distant or far end of a structure or from a structure
Dumping syndrome
Nausea, weakness, sweating, palpitation, syncope, often a sensation of warmth, and sometimes diarrhea, occurring after ingestion of food in patients who have undergone partial gastrectomy
Duodenal Switch
A surgical treatment for morbid obesity consisting of resection of the greater curvature of the stomach, leaving in place the pylorus and a little of the duodenum, which are anastomosed to the ileum. The rest of the duodenum and jejunum simply empty their secretions into the distal ileum through a new anastamosis
Duodenum
The beginning portion of the small intestine, starting at the lower end of the stomach and extending to the jejunum
DVT
Deep vein thrombosis: a blood clot in a major vein, usually in the legs and/or pelvis
Dysfunction
Not operating properly
Emboli
A mass, such as an air bubble, a detached blood clot, or a foreign body, that travels through the bloodstream and lodges so as to obstruct a blood vessel (plural of embolus)
Endocrine
Of or relating to endocrine glands or the hormones secreted by them
Environmental
Relating to influences or conditions present in a physical space
Epidemic
Widely prevalent
Erosion
Referring to a complication of gastric banding where the plastic band wears through the anatomy of the esophagus and/or gastric pouch
Esophagus
Tubular upper digestive section leading from the mouth to the stomach
Excess Body Weight
Amount of weight above the individual's ideal body weight
Exercise
Manual activity that develops or maintains physical fitness and overall health
Fat
Along with carbohydrates and proteins, one of the three nutrients used as energy sources by the body
Fills
Referring to adding or withdrawing (adjusting) fluid from the gastric band as is clinically indicated to modify food passage
Gallbladder
A small, pear-shaped muscular sac, located under the right lobe of the liver, in which bile secreted by the liver is stored until needed by the body for digestion
Gallstones
A gallstone is a solid crystal deposit that forms in the gallbladder. Gallstones can migrate to other parts of the digestive tract and cause severe pain with life-threatening complications
Gastrectomy
Surgical removal of all or part of the stomach
Gastrointestinal
Of or relating to the stomach and intestines
Gastroplasty
Surgical repair or modification of the stomach or lower esophagus
Genitourinary
Of or relating to the genital and urinary organs or their function
GERD
Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease
Gout
A disturbance of uric-acid metabolism occurring chiefly in males, characterized by painful inflammation of the joints, especially of the feet and hands. Can result in deformity
Hyperlipidemia
High cholesterol
Hypertension
High blood pressure
Ileum
The third and final section of the small intestine
Incision
A cut or a wound made by cutting with a sharp instrument
Incisional hernia
Protrusion of a portion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening cause by an incision
Infection
a disease caused by the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms
Integumentary
A natural outer covering or coat, such as the skin of an animal or the membrane enclosing an organ
Intermittent
Stopping and starting at intervals
Iron
a common metallic element essential for the synthesis of some blood elements
JAMA
Journal of the American Medical Association
Jejunoileal Bypass
Surgical modification of intestinal tract to bypass part or all of the upper part of the small intestine
Jejunum
The section of the small intestine between the duodenum and the ileum
Laparoscopic
A minimally-invasive surgical or diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible endoscope (laparoscope) to view and operate on structures in the abdomen
Malabsorption
Defective or inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract
Median
In statistics, a value in an ordered set of values below and above which there is an equal number of values
Metabolic
The chemical processes occurring within a living cell or organism that are necessary for the maintenance of life. In metabolism some substances are broken down to yield energy for vital processes while other substances, necessary for life, are synthesized
Morbid
Relating to conditions of illness or leading to illness
Morbid Obesity
More than 100 lbs greater than normal body weight or a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or above with significant associated health issues.
Mortality
Relating to death
Multi-disciplinary Team
A group of professionals from various specialties, educational or training backgrounds working together for a common goal
Multi-factorial
Caused by more than one influence
Nausea
An unpleasant sensation with a tendency to vomit
Nurse
Degreed medical professional licensed to provide care to patients
Nurse Practitioner
A healthcare provider with advanced medical degree licensed to provide care and prescribe some medications to patients
Obesity
Relating to weight greater than healthy weight
Osteoarthritis
Chronic degeneration of the cartilage of the joints
Palpitation
Rapid, forceful, throbbing, or fluttering heartbeat
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas
Pathogenic
Referring to a substance or event leading to illness
PCP
Primary Care Provider (i.e. Family Physician, Internist, Obstetrician, etc.)
PE
Pulmonary Embolus: Blockage of an artery of the lung by foreign matter such as fat, tumor, tissue, or a clot originating from a vein
Pharmacotherapy
the practice of treating diseases with medication
Phenomenon
An occurrence, circumstance, or fact that is perceptible by the senses
Physical Therapist
Medical professional trained to treat and improve physical limitations
Physiologic
Relating to the biological functioning of an organism
Postoperative
The period after an operation
Preoperative
The period before an operation
Prevalence
The total number of cases of a disease in a given population at a specific time
Protein
Proteins are one of the 3 types of nutrients used as energy sources by the body. The other 2 being carbohydrates and fats
Proximal
Referring to the close or near end of a structure or to a structure
Psychologist
Medical professional, usually with doctoral degree (i.e. Ph.D.) specializing in education in behavioral topics and treatment of psychological-related issues
Psychosocial
Involving aspects of social and psychological behavior
Pulmonary
Of, relating to, or affecting the lungs
Pylorus
The passage at the lower end of the stomach that opens into the duodenum
Reflux
Flowing backwards
Registered Dietitian
Specialist in diet and nutrition
Resection
removal of a portion or all of an organ or other structure
Revision
A re-operation to modify or correct a previous procedure
Satiety
Feeling of fullness or satisfaction during or after eating
SBO
Small Bowel Obstruction. An obstruction of the small intestine that prevents the free passage of material; sometimes caused by postoperative adhesions
Self-pay
A situation where an individual pays for a procedure versus relying on reimbursement from an insurance policy
Sleep apnea
A temporary suspension of breathing occurring repeatedly during sleep that often affects overweight people or those having an obstruction in the breathing tract, an abnormally small throat opening, or a neurological disorder
Sleeve Gastrectomy
Surgical procedure to remove approximately 85% of the stomach, leaving a tubular-shaped organ between the bottom of the esophagus and the pyloric junction. Most commonly performed as a weight-loss procedure.
Slippage
Referring to movement of the gastric band's position relative to the esophagus and stomach
SRC
Surgical Review Corporation. A division of the American Academy of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons
Stenosis
A narrowing of a normally open passage
Support group
Gathering of individuals with related questions, issues, needs. Usually led by a medical professional or other trained professional
Sustained Weight Loss
Long-term consistent weight loss
Syncope
Dizziness, near fainting episode
Therapeutic
Referring to treatment of an issue, disease or event
Trend
The general direction in which something tends to move
Ulcer
Damage to a surface such as the lining the stomach or duodenum, that is sometimes accompanied by formation of death of surrounding tissue
Ultrasound
The use of ultrasonic waves for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes
Urinary Incontinence
Inability to control urinary functions
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