Good morning,
Many people who are obese are looking into weight loss surgery (Bariatric surgery) to help them lose the weight. The challenges they run into, however, can be many….long-term weight loss always requires an eating lifestyle change, and several individuals have actually put the weight back on. For example, here’s a thread about one such instance:
… No matter how someone loses weight, they do have to really work it. Some people are lucky in that they can eat more calories and exercise less while others have to exercise daily and carefully watch what they eat. I find I am someone who needs to exercise every day and I need to carefully watch what I eat.
Although I don’t know a lot about weight loss surgery, from what I’ve heard and seen, I think you were misguided by your doctor in him telling you that you didn’t have to participate in your weight loss (lose despite yourself) and that your stomach wouldn’t stretch out. There is no pill, surgery or device that can make us lose weight without us being an active participant.…MORE….
Choosing to undergo weight loss surgery can be grueling. But there’s lots of research you can do to help you make the decision, including:
- Bariatric Surgery Peer Support Forum
- Bariatric Edge
- Hamptom Bariatric Forums
- Medline Plus Weight Loss Surgery
- About.com Weight Loss Surgery Resources
Here are some acronyms and glossary words used with Weight Loss Surgery:
Anastamosis – the place where two organs are joined together with staples or stitches. This is done when the surgeon fastens stomach to intestine, and intestine to intestine.
BMI (Body Mass Index) – measurement describing a person’s individual weight condition
BMI Calculator – A free online tool that used to determine an individual’s Body Mass Index.
BP – Blood Pressure
Banding – when a band is placed around the top part of the stomach to make it smaller. You will feel full faster, and learn to reduce the amount of food you can eat. No bypass is performed.
Bariatric Surgery – Generic term for any number of surgical procedures performed to treat morbid obesity, including Gastric Stapling, Morbid Obesity Surgery, Stomach Reduction Surgery, Stomach Stapling Obesity Surgery, and Weight Loss Surgery.
Bariatric – generalized term describing any number of surgical weight-loss procedures.
Body Mass Index ( BMI ) – a formula to measure obesity using both height and weight. Calculate your BMI
Bypass – when part of your stomach and small intestines are “skipped over” so that fewer calories are absorbed. The stomach is also made smaller to restrict the amount of food you can eat.
Colon – large intestine beginning at the end of the small intestine and ending at the rectum
Comorbidity – a possibly fatal side-effect brought about by a disease process. Excess buildup of fatty tissue can cause comorbidities such as diabetes and heart attacks; specific to morbid obesity.
DS – Duodenal Switch
Dilation – process of enlarging a passage or anastomosis
Digestion – the breaking down and absorption of the food you eat.
Dumping Syndrome – side-effect of bariatric procedures in which food is prematurely released from stomach into the small intestine, resulting in nausea and vomiting. Generally associated with sweets, high-calorie liquids etc.
Duodenal Switch – A bariatric surgery in which surgeons 1.) divide a patient’s stomach into a slender vertical pouch and, 2.) re-route the small intestine to effect malabsorption. This is also known as biliopancreatic Diversion.
Duodenum – the upper section of the small intestine, connects to the stomach.
Esophagus – the tube-like structure that takes food to the stomach after you swallow.
GBP – Gastric Bypass Surgery
GBS – Gastric Bypass Surgery
GERD – Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease
GP – General Practitioner
Gastric – a word that pertains to the stomach, such as gastric bypass or gastric juices.
H Pylori ( helicobacter pylori) – a certain type of bacteria that affects the stomach. It weakens the lining of the stomach stomach which may lead to ulcers.
Ileum – 10 feet of small intestine, responsible for absorption
Jejunum – 10 feet of small intestine; the part responsible for digestion
LB – Lap-Band
LapBand Surgery – a bariatric surgery in which surgeons install an inflatable ring around the upper portion of the stomach. Also known as Adjustable Gastric Banding, Adjustable Lap Band Surgery, Gastric Banding, and Laparoscoptic Gastric Banding.
LapBand – an inflatable ring installed around a patient’s stomach; functions to limit the intake of food into the stomach and to control the release of food into the small intestine.
Laparoscopic Obesity Surgery – a minimally invasive bariatric surgery performed using slender instruments and advanced camera systems. It’s also referred to as Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery.
Laparoscopic – the description of a minimally invasive surgical method in which specially trained surgeons use slender instruments and advanced camera systems to perform delicate surgeries inside the abdominal cavity. This results in smaller surgery openings.
Large Intestine (large bowel) – Most fluids are absorbed here. Waste products are also concentrated and passed through the rectum as stool, or bowel movement.
Leak – if the anastomosis does not form a complete seal, fluid can leak from the pouch or intestine into the abdominal cavity. This is one of the risks of bariatric surgery.
MO – Morbid Obesity
Malabsorption – the incomplete uptake of calories and nutrients. It’s a physical process utilized in bariatric surgeries (ie, roux-en-y gastric bypass) and causes high weight loss by limiting the amount of calories taken in by digestive system.
Morbid Obesity Diet – Strict nutritional diet followed by post-operative bariatric surgery patients that often limits patients to less than 800 calories per day. It’s also known as the After Gastric Bypass Surgery Diet.
Morbid Obesity – the potentially fatal physical condition of having excess fatty tissue. Generally the body mass index exceeds 40 or the person is at least 100 pounds overweight.
NSV – Non-Scale Victory
Obesity Surgery Center – a medical facility specializing in bariatric procedures.
PB – Productive Burp
PCP – Primary Care Physician
Pouch – the part of the stomach that is closed off with staples or a band to make it smaller. It is your “new” stomach where the food is now digested in a smaller space. It will hold 1-2 oz after surgery. The most food it should ever hold is about 4 oz ( half a cup).
RNY – Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery
Roux enY – A bariatric surgery in which surgeons 1.) divide a patient’s stomach into a smaller pouch and, 2.) re-route the intestine to effect malabsorption. Also known as Gastric Bypass Surgery.
Saline Solution Port – disc-like device implanted beneath the skin of patient’s torso, used to adjust the constriction of the LapBand.
Slime – What comes up before the Productive Burp
Small Intestine (small bowel) – food is mostly digested and absorbed here. Chemicals help break the food down, and some fluid is also absorbed. The small intestine has three sections: the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum.
Stomach – an organ that stores food, digests food, and sends it slowly to the small intestine. The stomach also produces certain chemicals that help you absorb certain vitamins.
Strictures – narrowing of anastomosis or section of intestine; often related to scarring or ulcers
Vertical Gastrectomy – A bariatric surgery in which surgeons divide a patient’s stomach into a slender vertical pouch. Also known as Gastroplasty and VBG.
WLS – Weight Loss Surgery
Always do your research first!
Enjoy,
Barbara
ps – here are some bariatric goodies: