Weight Loss Glossary

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Osteomalacia:
Softening of bone because of depletion of calcium and vitamin D. Commonly called rickets.

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Osteopororis:
Thinning of the bone mass because of the depletion of calcium and bone protein. New bone is not created as fast as old bone is broken down.

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Pancreas:
Makes digestive chemicals that break down food and hormones such as insulin that allow cells to use glucose.

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Pear-Shaped:
Having extra fat stored on the hips and thighs.

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Protein Requirements:
The Recommended Dietary Allowance is 44 grams a day for the average woman and 56 grams for the average man. However, this is for individuals whose digestive system is not traumatized by surgery. Recommended protein intake for the post WLS patients is between 60-80 grams per day and requires supplemental protein drinks.

[cmcgilvrey]

Proximal Gastric Bypass:
The bypass procedure that reconnects the intesting closest to the orginal stomach. The juction of the two arms of the small intestines are joined above the middle of the remaining small intesting leaving the longest arm for food absorption, usually greater than 10 feet and sometimes as much as 15 feet. There is a lessened chance of malnutrition with the proximal bypass. Weight loss is also less than the medical or distral bypass.

[cmcgilvrey]

Pulmonary Embolism:
The obstruction of the pulmonary artery or a branch of it leading to the lungs by a blood clot, usually from the leg, causing sudden closure of the vessel. 10-15% of patients with pulmonary embolism die.

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Restrictive Surgery:
Surgery designed to limit the amount of food one can eat at a time to 3-9 ounces on average.

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Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass:
The same as the gastric bypass in which the stomach is cut in two and then the rest of the stomach and one half to three quarters of the small instestine is bypassed so that calories are not absorbed. The Y is the shape of the artificial joining of the intestines. One arm of the Y carries the food portion and one arm carries the gastric juices and bile. They join together at an artificial juncture and then move into the large bowel.

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Sepsis:
Commanly called a "blood stream infection." The presence of bacteria or other organisms in the blood or other tissue. Causes fever, chills, malaise, low blood pressure and cloudy thinking.

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Seroma:
Bacteria gets into a wound, usually from surgery and develops and infection. It may need to be drained more than once.

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Silastic Ring:
A small ring that inhibits stretching of the opening between the small stomach pouch and the larger stomach.

[cmcgilvrey]

Size-ism:
Discrimination based on a person's size. Fat people are thought to be lazy, unmotivated, clumsy, less intelligent, unsanitary, and gluttonous.

[cmcgilvrey]

Sleep apnea:
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs because the throat collapses during sleep causing the individual to stop breathing for a short time and then snort and gasp for breath. People wake up briefly each time breathing stops and then fall asleep again, never knowing they have awakened. It is common among the obese.

[cmcgilvrey]

Somatoform Personality:
A tendency to manifest physical complaints because of psychological stress. Examples would be getting a debilitating stomachache before giving an oral report or waking up with a headache because a difficult day at work await and then calling in sick.