In gastric sleeve surgery, also called vertical sleeve gastrectomy, a surgeon removes most of your stomach, leaving only a banana-shaped section that is closed with staples.

Surgical steps taken during gastric sleeve:

1. A small sleeve, or narrow tube, is created with a surgical stapler along the inside curve of the stomach, from the pylorus of the stomach up to the esophagus.
2. The remainder of the stomach is removed.
3. The valve from the stomach to the small intestine remains so that your stomach empties as usual, which allows for the feeling of fullness.
4. Internal incisions are typically closed with absorbable stitches that do not need to be removed manually, while external incisions are closed with stitches, steri-strips, or staples.