Sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive bariatric procedure. During this procedure, the surgeon creates a small, sleeve-shaped stomach. It is somewhat larger than the stomach pouch created during a Roux-en-Y bypass, and is about the size of a small banana. The sleeve also helps reduces a hormone in the stomach that stimulates hunger.

Sleeve gastrectomy is typically considered a treatment option for bariatric patients with a BMI of 60 or higher. However, excellent weight loss can also be achieved in BMIs as low as 30.