The most common metabolic procedure

Often called "the gastric sleeve," the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is performed by removing nearly 80% of the stomach. The remaining stomach is a tubular pouch that resembles a banana. The sleeve is an effective operation affecting the hunger and appetite centers of the brain. In other words, your body stops fighting what the brain desires.

How the gastric sleeve works

The new stomach pouch holds a considerably smaller volume than the normal stomach and helps significantly reduce the amount of food (and calories) that can be consumed. The greater impact, however, is the effect the surgery has on gut hormones that impact the body's hunger, blood sugar control and overall feeling of fullness.

The sleeve, similar to gastric bypass, is effective in terms of weight loss and improvement of type 2 diabetes independent of the weight loss.