Hello! As your Patient Coordinator at Do It Bariatrics, I’m here to help make your weight loss surgery journey as smooth as possible. If you’re just starting out or even if you’ve been researching for a while, you might have come across a lot of acronyms. It can be a bit overwhelming, so I’ve put together a comprehensive guide to some of the most commonly used and necessary acronyms in bariatric surgery. Let’s break them down!]
Medical and Surgical Terms
BMIBody Mass Index
BMI is a number calculated from your weight and height. It’s used to determine if you’re a candidate for bariatric surgery. Although it’s widely used, it’s important to remember that BMI isn’t a complete measure of health—just a guideline.
WLSWeight Loss Surgery
Is the general term for all surgical procedures aimed at helping patients lose weight. This includes various surgeries like the Gastric Sleeve, Gastric Bypass, and more.
VSG
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
VSG is one of the most popular bariatric surgeries. It involves removing a large portion of the stomach, leaving a smaller, banana-shaped “sleeve.” This helps limit the amount of food you can eat and reduces hunger hormones.
RNYRoux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
RNY is another common type of weight loss surgery. It involves creating a small pouch from the stomach and connecting it directly to the small intestine, bypassing a portion of the digestive tract. This not only limits food intake but also reduces calorie absorption.
MGBMini Gastric Bypass
MGB is a variation of the traditional gastric bypass surgery. It’s less complex and has a shorter operative time, but still helps patients lose a significant amount of weight by creating a smaller stomach pouch and bypassing part of the small intestine.
SILS Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery
SILS is a minimally invasive technique where the surgeon performs the procedure through a single small incision, usually at the belly button. This results in fewer scars and a quicker recovery.
LSG Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
LSG is another term used for the Gastric Sleeve surgery, emphasizing the laparoscopic (minimally invasive) approach.
DSDuodenal Switch
DS is a complex bariatric procedure that combines a sleeve gastrectomy with an intestinal bypass. It’s often recommended for patients with a very high BMI.
PVT Preoperative Verification Testing
PVT refers to the various tests you may need before surgery, like blood tests, EKGs, or X-rays, to make sure you’re ready for the procedure.
EGD Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
An EGD is a procedure where a small camera is used to view the lining of your esophagus, stomach, and the first part of your small intestine. It’s sometimes done before bariatric surgery to check for issues like GERD or hiatal hernias.
T2DType 2 Diabetes
T2D is a chronic condition that affects the way your body processes blood sugar. Many patients with T2D see significant improvement or even remission after bariatric surgery.
GERD Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
GERD is a condition where stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus, causing discomfort. Certain bariatric procedures can help reduce or eliminate GERD symptoms.
FUPA Fat Upper Pubic Area
While not exclusively a medical term, FUPA is often discussed among patients post-surgery, referring to the excess fat in the lower abdominal area that some patients may still have after significant weight loss.
Patient-Created Acronyms and Common Terms
NSV Non-Scale Victory
NSV refers to any success or positive change that isn’t related to the number on the scale. This could be fitting into a smaller clothing size, having more energy, or even just feeling more confident.
EWL Excess Weight Loss
EWL is the percentage of weight you’ve lost compared to the amount of weight you need to lose to reach a healthy BMI. It’s a common way to measure the success of bariatric surgery.
HW Highest Weight
HW is the highest weight you’ve ever been, which is often used as a reference point to track your weight loss journey.
SW Surgery Weight
SW is your weight on the day of your surgery. It’s another key marker that patients use to measure their progress.
GW Goal Weight
GW is the weight you aim to reach after surgery. It’s a personal goal and can be different for everyone.
TW Today’s Weight
TW is your current weight, which patients often track regularly to monitor their progress.
UGW Ultimate Goal Weight)
UGW is the final weight you hope to achieve after your weight loss journey. It may be more ambitious than your initial GW.
NUT Nutritionist
Your NUT is a key player in your journey. They’ll help guide you on what to eat before and after surgery to ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need while reaching your WL goals.
FML Food Mourning Loss
FML is a term some patients use to describe the emotional process of saying goodbye to certain foods they loved before surgery.
NSFW Not Suitable For Weight Loss
NSFW refers to foods, drinks, or activities that don’t support your weight loss goals and might need to be limited or avoided after surgery.
WL Weight Loss
Simply put, WL refers to the amount of weight you lose during your journey. It’s important to remember that everyone’s WL journey is different, and success isn’t just about the numbers!
WLC Weight Loss Community
WLC refers to the group of people you connect with during your weight loss journey, including support groups, online forums, and social media communities.
WLJ Weight Loss Journey
WLJ is a term patients use to describe the entire process of losing weight, from the decision to have surgery to reaching their goals and beyond.
TMI Too Much Information
TMI is a common acronym in many communities, including WLS groups, where patients might share detailed personal experiences that could be considered “too much information” for some.
FOMO Fear Of Missing Out
FOMO is something many patients experience when they can’t participate in social events or meals the way they used to before surgery.
VSGers / Bypassers / SleeversThese are informal terms that patients use to identify themselves based on the type of surgery they’ve had. For example, someone who had VSG might call themselves a “VSGer.”
Dr. V Dr. Louisiana Valenzuela, MD, FACS
Dr. V is the affectionate shorthand that our patients use to refer to Dr. Louisiana Valenzuela, MD, FACS, our lead bariatric surgeon who has performed over 10,000 successful surgeries.
I hope this guide helps clear up any confusion and makes you feel more confident on your journey! If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any member of our team. And remember, you’re not alone in this process. Join our Facebook support group or follow us on our social media platforms @doitbariatrics (instagram | Facebook | X) to connect with others who are on the same journey. We’d love to hear from you—feel free to share any acronyms we might have missed in the comments. Let’s achieve your goals together! 💪
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