Weight Loss Glossary

[cmcgilvrey]

Liver:
A large internal organ that processes nearly every nutrient we need to make the nutrients usable by other body parts. Enzymes and bile salts made in the liver are sent through a tube and stored in the gallbladder and sent via another tube (the bile duct) to be emptied into the duodenum.

[Anonymous Bot]

[cmcgilvrey]

Loop Gastric Bypass:
Same as the mini gastric bypass. The intestine is not severed and reconnected as in the gastric bypass, but after leaving the small upper pouch, it is looped back and reconnected to the small upper pouch so that acids and bile have a chance to get into the pouch and even the esophagus, often creating havoc with stomach and esphageal linings.

[cmcgilvrey]

Lupus:
A disease of the skin that can spread to other organs. An inflammatory condition caused by an autoimmune reaction. The body's tissues are attacked by itw own immune system. Can cause rash, photosensitivity, ulceration of mucus membranes and swollen, tender joints.

[cmcgilvrey]

LUX:
Lux is the internation unit of illumination. A home with the lights on at night usually have from 50-150 lux. A brightly lit office has 200-400 lux. A bright day have 50,000 to 80,000 lux and a cloudy day around 7,000 lux. Bright light affects melatonin, a hormone that regulated sleep and serotonin.

[cmcgilvrey]

Malabsorption:
The body is unable to absorb all the calories it ingests due to artificial constraints such as re-configuring the bowel.

[cmcgilvrey]

Malnutrition:
A condition caused by failure to eat or to absorb the foods needed to maintain proper health. Most gastric bypass patients suffer from some form of malnutrition and need constant monitoring.

[cmcgilvrey]

Marlex Mesh Band:
A reinforced band that inhibits stretching of the small opening between the small stomach pouch and the larger stomach pouch.

[cmcgilvrey]

Medial Gastric Bypass:
The middle portion of the small intestines is used as the connection point for the arms of the small intestine to join together. Of an approximate total lenght of 20 feet, the juction leaves about 6-10 feet in wich to absorb calories.

[cmcgilvrey]

Metabolism:
The whole range of biological processes that occur within the body that break down food molecules and transform them into energy. Also refers to the body's ability to build the substances it needs from the food we eat.

[cmcgilvrey]

Mini-Gastric Bypass:
The intestine is not severed and reconnected as in the gastric bypass, but after leaving the small upper pouch, it is looped back and reconnected to the small upper pouch so that acids and bile have a chance to get into the pouch and even the esophagus, often creating havoc with stomach and esphageal linings.

[cmcgilvrey]

Morbid Obesity:
One hundred pounds or more over the recommended weight on the Metropolitan height-weight chart. Having a BMI of 40-50.

[cmcgilvrey]

Muscle Atrophy:
Wasting away of muscle and a decrease in muscle mass. Atrophy begins in as little as 24 hours when a person is not moving about, such as after surgery.

[cmcgilvrey]

Neurotransmitter:
A messenger of neurological information from one cell to another by a chemical process. Common neurotransmitters are norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine.

[cmcgilvrey]

Obesity:
Having a BMI over 30 is the precise measure of obesity subscribed by the NIH. Obesity is caused by a variety of factors including: sedentary lifestyle, over-eating, over production of hunger hormones, genetics, high-fat/low fiber diets, a diet high in processed and fast foods, and yo-yo dieting.

[cmcgilvrey]

Off-Label Use:
Prescribing medications for other than their intended use. Sometimes patients and physicians will notice that medications developed for a particular disorder actually help with other disorders as well.