Below is a list of terms commonly used in describing weight loss surgery.  We hope that it will help you to become more familiar with the various approaches to bariatric surgery.

Adjustable Gastric Band

As the name implies, adjustable gastric banding surgery entails your bariatric surgeon placing a silicon band around the top portion of your stomach.  This surgical weight loss procedure can be reversed more easily than other weight loss surgeries and is adjusted based on your progress and your specific nutritional needs.  This bariatric procedure allows you to lose weight gradually by reducing the amount of food you can intake.

Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery, also referred to as weight loss surgery, is a set of procedures that reduce the size of the stomach to promote weight loss.  Typically, individuals must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater to be considered for bariatric surgery. Individuals with a BMI of 35 may be considered if they have other health-related illnesses or co-morbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, and arthritis.

Body Contouring

After rapid and extensive weight loss, some individuals will be left with excess skin or folds around their stomach, buttocks, thighs, upper arms and face.  This is common after bariatric surgery.  Body contouring is a surgical procedure that helps improve the shape, elasticity and tone of your underlying tissue that supports the skin.  It also involves removing excess fat and skin.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body mass index (BMI) is used as a guide to decide if you are a candidate for bariatric surgery.  BMI is accurate in determining the degree of obesity as it considers an individual’s weight in proportion to their height and can be used for both men and women.

• A BMI from 18.5 through 24.9 indicates a healthy weight
• A BMI from 25.0 through 29.9 indicates an overweight condition
• A BMI from 30 through 39.9 indicates moderate obesity
• A BMI of 40 or above indicates severe obesity

Surgical weight loss candidates must meet the National Institute of Health Guidelines and have a BMI of 35 or greater (typically 100 or more pounds overweight), and other health issues related to the excessive weight, or a BMI greater than 40 with no co-morbid conditions related to obesity.

Conditions related to obesity may include:

• Diabetes
• High Cholesterol
• Hypertension
• Arthritis
• Degenerative Joint Disease
• Sleep Apnea
• Gastroesophageal Reflux
• Urinary Stress Incontinence

Co-morbidity

Co-morbidity describes diseases or disorders that are in addition to a primary disorder.  In regards to bariatric surgery, obesity is the primary disorder.  Some patients may also have co-morbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, and arthritis.

Dumping Syndrome

When the stomach or a large portion of it is removed during bariatric surgery, portions of undigested food may be “dumped” into the small intestine too quickly.  Bariatric patients often experience this after eating refined sugars.  Dumping creates uncomfortable feelings such as nausea, sweating, and cramps.  However, dumping generally subsides with time and diet adjustment.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric Bypass surgery, also referred to as Roux-en-Y, is the most frequently performed weight loss surgery in the United States, with more than 150,000 of these bariatric procedures done annually.  By changing the anatomy of your digestive system, this procedure limits caloric intake and also helps decrease some of the hormones that normally stimulate appetite.  This is achieved by separating the stomach into two parts.  Your bariatric surgeon will create a small (approximately 0.5 to 1 ounce) pouch at the top of the stomach and then connect it to a bypassed portion of the intestine.

By decreasing the size and bypassing a large portion of the stomach, gastric bypass surgery helps you to feel full quicker.  The remainder of the stomach is not removed, but by bypassing it, it can no longer act as a reservoir for excess food.  However, it still functions normally and produces fluids that promote healthy digestion.  

Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical technique that allows the surgeon to complete the surgery through several smaller incisions instead of a traditional, open approach.  A scope, light, camera and other surgical instruments are inserted into the incisions.  This new optical and digital technology has created a better diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical tool.

The use of smaller incisions also leads to less scarring, less blood loss, less chance of complications and generally, a faster recovery.

Malabsorption

Malabsorption describes a condition that occurs when the small intestine cannot absorb nutrients from food.  This can lead to nutritional deficiencies because the body is not receiving the vitamins and minerals that it needs to function properly.

Weight loss surgeries that bypass most of the small intestine from the digestive tract help individuals to achieve weight loss through malabsorption.  If this is the approach that you and your expert medical care team decide is best for you, you will work closely with a nutritionist to ensure that you are maintaining a healthy diet that meets your nutritional needs.

Obesity

Obesity describes the condition of having extra body weight in the form of fat. It is defined as a BMI of 30 or greater.  Morbid obesity is defined by a BMI of 40 or greater, which typically equates to 100 pounds of excess weight.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

During a sleeve gastrectomy, your bariatric surgeon will remove approximately 75 to 85 percent of your stomach, maintaining the remainder of your digestive tract.  This preserves the natural continuity between the esophagus, stomach and small intestine so malabsorption does not occur.  This surgical weight loss approach also guards against other possible complications such as marginal ulcers, vitamin deficiencies and intestinal obstructions.  The sleeve gastrectomy is often recommended for patients that need to lose weight before having an additional weight loss surgery such as gastric bypass.  However, many patients lose the desired amount of weight and do not have a second surgery.

Roux-en-Y

Roux-en-Y is another term used to describe gastric bypass surgery.  By changing the anatomy of your digestive system, this procedure limits caloric intake and also helps decrease some of the hormones that normally stimulate appetite.  This is achieved by separating the stomach into two parts.  Your bariatric surgeon will create a small (approximately 0.5 to 1 ounce) pouch at the top of the stomach and then connect it to a bypassed portion of the intestine.

By decreasing the size and bypassing a large portion of the stomach, gastric bypass surgery helps you to feel full quicker.  The remainder of the stomach is not removed, but by bypassing it, it can no longer act as a reservoir for excess food.  However, it still functions normally and produces fluids that promote healthy digestion.