Today we’re going to talk about a special form of gastric bypass surgery. The procedure, called a gastric sleeve, is a form of surgery reserved for the most obese individuals with a body mass index of 40 or higher. The surgery is a precursor to the more widely known gastric bypass procedures. In gastric sleeve surgery the stomach is basically severed and the middle portion removed permanently. The two parts are then reconnected, forming a sleeve like vessel. After significant weight loss is achieved, a traditional bypass procedure can be performed leading to further weight loss. Though the procedure is somewhat radical, for many morbidly obese people it is the only option.