Bariatric Surgery
Although many people will be familiar with the terms
gastric bypass surgery and weight loss surgery, the
terms bariatric surgery and bariatric weight loss surgery
may be less familiar.
The term bariatrics was coined in the mid 1960s from the Greek root
baro (meaning weight) and the suffix -iatrics (a branch of medicine)
and bariatrics deals principally with the causes, prevention and treatment of
obesity.
From this it follows that the surgical treatment of obesity (or perhaps more
correctly morbid obesity) is now often referred to as bariatric surgery which is
performed by a bariatric surgeon.
Whether we are talking about surgery which is principally based upon
preventing the body's ability to absorb calories (Biliopancreatic Diversion),
procedures that primarily aim to reduce the size of the stomach (Vertical Banded
Gastroplasty or Lap Band Surgery) or combination operations which do both
(Roux-en-Y), we can use the terms gastric, weight loss and bariatric surgery
interchangeably.
It is however interesting to note that, despite the fact that the term
bariatric surgery is not commonly used, those involved in the profession
(bariatric surgeons) do use the term by preference and indeed in 1983 formed the
American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) which is now the world's largest
society for specialists in the field of surgical weight loss.
Additional article resources:
Gastric bypass surgery increases risk of kidney stones - EurekAlert (press re...
10 Mar 2010 at 4:25pm
Gastric bypass surgery increases risk of kidney stones
EurekAlert (press release)
The cause for stone formation after bariatric surgery is not entirely clear, but the study reinforces the message tha...
'Powerful' food like a drug for overeaters: Experts - Vancouver Sun
8 Mar 2010 at 9:27am
'Powerful' food like a drug for overeaters: Experts
Vancouver Sun
Sopp is president of the Saskatchewan Bariatric Surgery Support Group and has been waiting five years for bariatric (stomach shrinkin...
Prescott man returns to active lifestyle after weight-loss surgery - Prescott...
7 Mar 2010 at 5:38pm
Prescott man returns to active lifestyle after weight-loss surgery
Prescott Daily Courier
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery recently named Flagstaff Medical Center's program a ...
Texas Public School Teachers to be denied access to Lap Band surgery - BigNew...
9 Mar 2010 at 10:24am
Texas Public School Teachers to be denied access to Lap Band surgery
BigNews.biz (press release)
Our program has been designated as a national Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American S...
New weapons called for in war on waistline - Vancouver Sun
9 Mar 2010 at 3:17am
New weapons called for in war on waistline
Vancouver Sun
For the severely obese, weight loss surgery can be life-saving, but wait times for bariatric surgery are the longest of any surgically treated...
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