The Sleeve Gastrectomy is a single stage surgery only on the stomach and does not involve any surgery on the intestine. This procedure consists of making the stomach that looks like a pouch into a long tube, hence the name "sleeve". The sleeve gastrectomy removes two-thirds of the stomach, which creates a quicker "sense of fullness" and decreased appetite. After the seperation of the stomach pouch, the remainder of the stomach is removed. The smaller stomach restricts food intake by allowing only a small amount of food to be eaten at one time.

In this procedure there is no re-directing or new connections made between the stomach and small intestine. There is no malabsorption or dumping syndrome. The Sleeve Gastrectomy is said to have an advantage over the Adjustable Gastric Band. This is due to removing the part of the stomach that produces the hormone (Ghrelin), which controls the desire to eat.