Method for performing a gastrectomy

1. A method of reducing the size of the stomach of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a tube having a distal end and a proximal end, with said distal end adapted for insertion into the stomach of the patient;

inserting the distal end of the tube through the patient's esophagus and then into the patient's stomach, and disposing the tube along a lesser curve of the stomach;

demarcating a position of the tube within the stomach so as to make it easily discernable from outside the stomach;

with the tube disposed within the stomach, and the stomach drawn toward the tube, affixing opposing walls of the stomach to each other, along the tube, opposite the lesser curve, performing said affixing step from outside the stomach using the tube as a guide;

withdrawing the tube from the stomach.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

drawing the stomach toward the tube prior to the step of affixing opposing walls of the stomach along the tube.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of:

performing the step of drawing the stomach toward the tube by applying suction to the stomach through apertures in the tube.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

prior to drawing the stomach toward the tube, anchoring a portion of the distal end of the tube in a pyloric valve of the patient.

5. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of:

prior to drawing the stomach toward the tube, anchoring a portion of the distal end of the tube in a pyloric valve of the patient.

6. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the step of:

prior to drawing the stomach toward the tube, anchoring a portion of the distal end of the tube in a pyloric valve of the patient.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

providing a balloon about the distal end of the tube, such that the balloon is disposed within the stomach when the distal end of the tube is disposed along the lesser curvature of the stomach; and

prior to performing the affixing step, inflating the balloon prior to drawing the stomach toward the tube.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

providing an external surface adjustable feature at the distal end of the tube, such that the external surface adjustable feature is disposed within the stomach when the distal end of the tube is disposed along the lesser curvature of the stomach; and

prior to performing the affixing step, expanding the external surface adjustable feature.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

performing the step of affixing opposing walls of the stomach by stapling an anterior wall of the stomach and a posterior wall of the stomach together.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

performing the step of affixing opposing walls of the stomach by suturing an anterior wall of the stomach and a posterior wall of the stomach together.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

illuminating the distal end of the tube with at least one light, while the distal end of the tube is disposed within the stomach.