Apparatus and methods are described for treatment of morbid obesity using
minimally invasive techniques. The apparatus includes a system of components that
may be used separately or in combination for effectively reducing stomach volume,
bypassing a portion of the stomach and/or small intestines, reducing nutrient absorption
in the stomach and/or small intestines and/or depositing minimally or undigested
food farther than normal into the intestines, thereby stimulating intestinal responses.
The components described include an artificial stoma device, a gastric sleeve device,
an intestinal sleeve device and a combined gastrointestinal sleeve device.