Bariatric surgery Surgery on the stomach and/or intestines to help the patient with extreme obesity lose weight. Bariatric surgery is a weight-loss method used for people who have a body mass index BMI above 40. Pancreas A gland that makes enzymes that help the body break down and use nutrients in food. Obesity Having a high amount of body fat. Overweight Refers to an excess of body weight compared to set standards. The excess weight may come from muscle bone fat and/or body water. Trans fatty acids: A fat that is produced when liquid fat oil is turned into solid fat through a chemical process called hydrogenation Low-density lipoprotein A form of cholesterol that circulates in the blood. Commonly called “bad” cholesterol. Registered Dietitian A health professional who is a food and nutrition expert. Diabetes Mellitus A disease that occurs when the body is not able to use blood glucose sugar. Blood sugar levels are controlled by insulin a hormone in the body that helps move glucose sugar from the blood to muscles and other tissues. Very-low calorie diet: A person following a VLCD eats or drinks a commercially prepared formula that has 800 calories or less instead of eating food. High blood pressure Another word for “hypertension.” Blood pressure rises and falls throughout the day. An optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg.