After bariatric surgery, a slim man in black throws a basketball into the air outdoors on a court in front of trees

Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation

How Gastric Sleeve Surgery Works

During sleeve gastrectomy, your surgeon removes about 80% of your stomach, leaving a narrow, banana-shaped “sleeve.” We perform the procedure laparoscopically or robotically through a few small incisions, so that compared with traditional open surgery, most patients have less pain, minimal scarring and a faster return to daily activities.

The surgery works in two ways. Your smaller stomach holds less food, so you feel full sooner. And because the part of the stomach that produces ghrelin, the main hunger hormone, is removed, many patients feel noticeably less hungry. Together with other hormonal changes, these effects lead to significant, lasting weight loss and often improve or resolve conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Support at Every Step

Surgery is one part of your care. At the USC Weight Management Center, our comprehensive weight-loss program includes dietitians, behavioral health specialists and a dedicated medical team who support you before surgery and long after.

Why Choose Us for Weight-Loss Surgery

Nationally accredited: Our program is accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), the national standard for bariatric surgery set by the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

Fellowship-trained surgeons: Every one of our bariatric surgeons has completed advanced fellowship training in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery, beyond general surgery residency.

A proven safety record: Our risk-adjusted outcomes meet or exceed national benchmarks in every category measured by MBSAQIP, the national accreditation program for bariatric surgery.

Exceptional outcomes: Our patients achieve strong, lasting weight loss and improvement in conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea.

Recognized by leading insurers: We’re designated a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery and have earned center-of-excellence designations from Aetna, Cigna, Health Net and others.

A team built around you: Surgeons, endocrinologists, dietitians, behavioral health specialists and nurses work together on a plan tailored to your health and goals.

Support for life: Ongoing education, follow-up visits and support groups help you maintain your results long after surgery.