Glossary of Terms*

Absorption
Process in which digested food is absorbed by the lower part of the small intestine into the bloodstream.

	Adipose Fatty; having to do with fat.

Anastomosis
Surgical connection between two structures.

Bariatric
Having to do with weight or weight reduction.

Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence The American Society of Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) recently established a Centers of Excellence program to accredit those bariatric centers that consistently deliver optimal levels of performance and demonstrate exceptional patient outcomes. Parkwest Medical Center, in collaboration with Stephen Boyce, MD, of the Covenant Weight management Center has been designated by the American Society of Bariatric Surgery as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence.

Body Mass Index (BMI)
Method of figuring out the degree of excess weight. Based on weight and height.

	Cardiovascular Having to do with the heart.

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.

Clinically Severe Obesity
Body Mass Index of 40 or more, which is roughly equal to 100 pounds or more over ideal body weight; a weight level that is life-threatening. Also known as morbid obesity.

Co-Morbid
Related illnesses (i.e., arthritis, hypertension) or disabling conditions related to clinically severe obesity or obesity-related health conditions.

	Colon Large intestine beginning at the end of the small intestine and ending at the rectum.

Contraindications
Any symptom or situation that is inappropriate for an otherwise recommended treatment (i.e., alcoholism, drug dependency, severe depression, sociopathic [antisocial] personality disorder)

Criteria
Defines what is right for surgery.

	Digestion Process in which food is broken down by the stomach and upper small intestine into absorbable forms.

Dilation
Process of enlarging or further opening a passage or anastomosis.

Disease
Process that is a hazard to health and/or longevity.

Divided Gastric Bypass Surgery
Surgical operation that provides a way to manage clinically severe obesity.

Dumping Syndrome
Uncomfortable feeling of nausea, lightheadedness, upset stomach, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, related to ingestion of sweets, high-calorie liquids, or dairy products.

Duodenum
First 12 inches of small intestine immediately below the stomach. Bile and pancreatic fluids flow into the duodenum through ducts from the liver and pancreas.

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.

Gastric
Having to do with the stomach.

	Gastric Banding Surgery This is a restrictive surgical procedure during which a silicone band is placed around the stomach, creating a small pouch. The band includes a balloon that 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
Operation designed to make a portion of the stomach nonfunctioning and to reroute the small intestine.

Gastrointestinal
Having to do with the stomach or intestine.

Gastrojejunostomy Anastomosis
Upper connection of the gastric bypass operation.

Gastroplasty
Surgical operation for morbid obesity that changes the shape of the stomach.

Genetic
Having to do with inherited physical characteristics.

Hernia
A weakness in the abdominal wall that results in a detectable bulge.

Herniation
Process in which a hernia is formed.

Hyperosmolality.
Having highly concentrated substances that are capable of causing dumping syndrome.

	Hypertension High blood pressure. A reading of 140/90 or higher is high blood pressure.

Ileum
The 10 feet of small intestine that handle absorption.

Jejunum
The 10 feet of small intestine that handle digestion.

Kilogram
Measure of weight equal to 2.2 pounds.

Morbid
Having to do with disease, illness, and a higher risk of death.

	Morbid Obesity Body Mass Index of 40 or more, which is roughly equal to 100 pounds or more over ideal body weight; a weight level that is life-threatening.

Mortality
Having to do with death.

Multidisciplinary Bariatric Program
Team approach to testing and treatment of clinically severe obesity; includes surgical, internal medicine, nutrition, psychiatric, and exercise physiology, assessment, and treatment.

NIH
National Institutes of Health.

NIH Consensus Report
Summaries of meetings about clinically severe obesity and the assessment and treatment of obesity; issued periodically by NIH.

NIH Surgical Criteria
The National Institutes of Health has established minimum requirements for deciding whether bariatric surgery is the right treatment option:

• 100 pounds 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
  

	Pulmonary Having to do with the lungs.

Relative Risk
The comparison of how likely an event is to occur to a person versus another person.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery
A surgical method of reconnecting the stomach and upper small intestines in roughly a Y shape.

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.

Staples
Surgically sterile devices for connecting tissue; usually they are permanent and made of stainless steel or titanium.

Strictures
Narrowing of anastomosis or a section of intestine; often related to scarring or ulcers.

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 plan rules, 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.

Therapy
Treatment.

Type 2 Diabetes
A disorder of glucose and insulin metabolism.

Vertical Banded Gastroplasty
A type of surgical operation to treat clinically severe obesity. Changes the shape of and restricts the stomach. Not performed very often.

*The images on this site are used courtesy of the National Medical Library.