Sleeve Gastrecomy is a newly utilized weight loss procedure effective by restricting food intake. This operation is essentially a newer, better version of the vertical banded gastroplasty, a procedure that has been abandoned by virtually all weight loss surgeons, due to its high failure rates and complications.

General Procedure
This surgical procedure is relatively simple and straight forward. The stomach is surgically reduced in size to a long narrow, tube like pouch approximating between 2-4 ounces in size. The remaining two-thirds of the stomach is removed from the abdomen; therefore, making this procedure irreversible. No intestinal bypass is performed as seen with the RYGB. Originally, this procedure was developed for high risk patients or super obese patients with the intention of performing another surgery at a later date although most patients have not required a second operation. If a secondary procedure is however indicated a Biliopancreatic Diversion (BPD) or Roux en Y gastric bypass (RYBG) may be performed. Studies indicate that with sleeve gastrectomy alone an average excess body weight of 55 percent is achieved in a 6-12 month time interval.