Bariatric Surgery Glossary

Understanding the terms commonly used in bariatric surgery can help you feel more confident and informed throughout your weight loss journey. This glossary provides clear, simple definitions for key terms you might come across when researching or discussing your surgery.

A

• Anesthesia: Medication used during surgery to prevent pain and discomfort.
• Apnea (Sleep Apnea): A condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, often linked to obesity.

B

• Bariatric Surgery: Surgical procedures designed to aid in weight loss by altering the digestive system.
• BMI (Body Mass Index): A measurement using height and weight to estimate body fat.

C

• Comorbidities: Medical conditions that often occur alongside obesity, such as diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea.
• Complication: An unexpected problem that may occur during or after surgery.

D

• Dumping Syndrome: A condition that can occur after bariatric surgery, causing nausea, dizziness, and sweating after eating high-sugar foods.
• Dietitian: A healthcare professional specializing in nutrition and dietary management.

E

• Endoscopy: A non-surgical procedure using a flexible tube with a camera to examine the digestive tract.
• Exercise Plan: A customized physical activity regimen recommended after surgery to support weight loss.

G

• Gastric Bypass: A bariatric surgery that reduces the stomach size and reroutes the digestive system to limit calorie absorption.
• Gastric Sleeve: A procedure that removes a portion of the stomach to create a smaller, sleeve-shaped stomach.

H

• Hydration: Maintaining proper fluid intake, which is essential after surgery for optimal recovery and health.
• Hiatal Hernia: A condition where part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity, sometimes addressed during bariatric surgery.

L

• Laparoscopy: A minimally invasive surgical technique using small incisions and a camera to perform procedures.

M

• Malabsorption: Reduced ability to absorb nutrients, often resulting from procedures like gastric bypass.
• Medical Tourism: Traveling to another country for medical procedures, often due to affordability or specialized care.

N

• Nutritional Deficiency: A lack of essential vitamins and minerals, which may occur after surgery if supplements are not taken as recommended.

P

• Pouch: A small stomach compartment created during gastric bypass surgery to limit food intake.
• Pre-Op Diet: A specific diet followed before surgery to reduce liver size and improve surgical outcomes.

R

• Revision Surgery: A secondary surgery to adjust or correct a previous bariatric procedure.
• Restrictive Procedure: A type of bariatric surgery that limits the amount of food the stomach can hold.

S

• SILS (Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery): A minimally invasive technique performed through a single incision, often used for gastric sleeve surgery.
• Support Group: A community of patients offering guidance and shared experiences before and after surgery.

T

• Tummy Tuck: A cosmetic surgery that removes excess skin and fat, sometimes considered after significant weight loss.
• Type 2 Diabetes: A common obesity-related condition that may improve or resolve after bariatric surgery.

V

• Vitamin Deficiency: A lack of vitamins in the body, which may require supplementation after surgery.
• VSG (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy): Another term for gastric sleeve surgery.