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

Adipose: Fatty; pertaining to fat

Anastomosis: Surgical connection between two structures

Bariatric: Pertaining to Weight or weight reduction

BMI: Body Mass Index-Method of calculating degree of excess weight. Based on weight and body surface area.

Cardiovascular: Pertaining to heart and blood vessels

Clinically Severe Obesity: Body Mass Index of 40 or more, which is roughly equivalent to 100 pounds or more over ideal body weight; a weight level that is life risking. Also known as Morbid Obesity.

Co-Morbid: Associated illness (i.e., arthritis, hypertension) disabling conditions associated with 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 circumstance indicating the inappropriateness of an otherwise advisable treatment (i.e., alcoholism; drug dependency; severe depression; sociopathic (antisocial) personality disorder)

Criteria: Defines potential candidate for surgery

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

Dilation: Process of enlarging a passage or anastomosis

Disease: Process injurious to health and/or longevity

Divided Gastric Bypass: Operation providing a tool for management of clinically severe obesity.

Dumping Syndrome: Uncomfortable feeling of nausea, lightheadedness, upset stomach, diarrhea, associated with ingestion of sweets, high-calorie liquids or dairy products.

Duodenum: 

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

Gastric: Pertaining to stomach.

Gastric Bypass: Operation designed to make non-functional a portion of the stomach.

Gastrointestinal: Pertaining to stomach or intestine

Gastrojejunostomy anastomosis: Upper connection of the Gastric Bypass operation

Gastroplasty: Operation for morbid obesity which reshapes the stomach

Genetic: Pertains to transmitted hereditary characteristics

Hernia: A weakness in the abdominal wall resulting in a detectable bulge

Herniation: Process in which a hernia is formed

Hyperosmolality: Presence of highly concentrated substances capable of producing dumping syndrome

Hypertension: High Blood Pressure

Lleum: Ten feet of small intestine, responsible for absorption

Jejunum: Ten feet of small intestine; the part responsible for digestion

Kilogram: Measure of weight equal to 2.2 pounds

Laparoscopy: Method of visualizing and treating intra-abdominal problems with long fiber-optic instruments

Morbid: Pertaining to disease, illness, increased risk of death

Morbid Obesity: Body Mass Index of 40 or more, which is roughly equivalent to 100 pounds or more over ideal body weight; a weight level that is life risking

Mortality: Pertaining to death

Multi-disciplinary: Team approach to evaluation 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 regarding clinically severe obesity and assessment and treatment of obesity; issued periodically by NIH.

Obesity: Pertaining to excessive weight or adipose tissue

Obstructions: Narrowing of an anastomosis or segment of gastrointestinal tract which retards normal passage of food or waste materials

Psychotherapy: Evaluation and treatment of mentally related disorders

Pulmonary: Pertains to the lungs

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

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

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

Therapy: Treatment

Type 2 Diabetes: A disorder of glucose and insulin metabolism

VBG: Vertical Banded Gastroplasty: A type of operation to treat clinically severe obesity. Reshapes and restricts the stomach.