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

Bariatrics The field of medicine that offers treatment for the person who is overweight with a comprehensive program including diet and nutrition, exercise, behavior modification, lifestyle changes and, when indicated, the prescription of appetite suppressants and other appropriate medications. Bariatrics also includes research into overweight, its causes, prevention, and treatment.

Bariatrician  A physician practicing bariatrics, the field of medicine concerned with weight loss. Also called a bariatric physician. The terms are used interchangeably.

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 and blood vessels

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 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

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

Laparoscopy  Method that allows a doctor to see and treat intra-abdominal problems with long fiber-optic instruments

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:

Obesity  Having to do with excessive weight or adipose tissue

Obstructions  Narrowing of an anastomosis or a part of the gastrointestinal tract that slows down the normal passage of food or waste

Psychotherapy  Testing and treatment of mentally related disorders

Pulmonary  Having to do with the lungs

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.

Back to top