Sleeve gastrectomy generates weight loss by restricting the amount of food (and therefore calories) that can be eaten by removing 85% or more of the stomach without bypassing the intestines or causing any gastrointestinal malabsorption.¯ It is a purely restrictive operation.¯ It is currently indicated as an alternative to the LAP-BAND¯ procedure for low weight individuals and as an option for higher weight individuals that may have lower risk than gastric bypass.¯
