Weight Loss Glossary

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Adipose:
Fat Tissue

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Adhesion:
Scar tissue that unites two body parts or surfaces that are not normally united - for example, when a loop of intestine adheres to the abdominal wall after surgery.

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Adipostat: Located in the hypothatlamus it is a mechanism like a thermostat that seeks to maintain weight at a genetically determined level. (also called set-point)

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Adjustable Gatric Band (AGB):
A silicone band is placed laparoscopically around the upper portion of the stomach creating a small stomach pouch. This specially designed band has an apparatus on the inside much like an inner tube that can be filled or emptied of water by using a port that is placed just under the skin in the chest or side. Filling the tube with water results in a tighter constriction and slower emptying of the upper stomach pouch into the lower stomach. If too much weight is being lost, the tube can be emptied of some of the water, causing the opening to enlarge and a faster emptying of stomach contents.

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Afferent Limb:
The unused portion of the small intesting after gastric bypass. The role of the afferent limb is to collect and dispense gastric juices into the newly formed "Y" where the food meets the digestive juices.

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Afferent Limb Syndrome:
The unused portion of the intesting develops an overgrowth of bacteria. Theoretically tied to autoimmune disorders that may develop after surgery.

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Anorexiants (also Anorexigenic):
Any food or drug that causes a decrease in appetite.

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Apple-Shaped:
Having extra fat stored around the mid-section of the body and not on the legs and hips. Also associated with the visceral fat stores around internal organs.

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Atherosclerosis:
A buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) on the inside of the arteries that narrows the vessels and slows down blood flow. Causes are high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, some drugs and infections. Treatmnts include: decreasing fat and increasing fiber in the diet, quitting smoking, exercise, daily aspirin dosage and controlling high blood pressure.

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Autoimmune Disorders:
The patient's immune system attacks other body systems. Some disorders include: rheumatoid arthiris, vitiligo, lupus, ulceratis colitis, and alopecia.

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Bariatric:
The field of medicine concerned with weight loss.

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Bariatric Surgery:
Surgery on the stomach and/or intestines to help people lose weight by altering the normal digestive process.

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Bile:
A thick, yellow-green fluid that is secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile is released into the intesting to aid in digestion.

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Biliopancreatic Diversion (BPD):
Abouth 75% of the stomach is removed. THen a gastric bypass surgery is performed. The arm of the small intestines that collect the bile and digestive juices from various organs remains intact. The remaining intestines are reconncted according to a precise formula that takes into account the length of a person's small intesting. It is moth ofter performed with a duodenal switch.

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Binge Eating:
Consuming 3,000 to 15,000+ calories in two hours or less, feeling out of control, and having the problem at least twice a week for six months.