Background The transumbilical route can be used to perform sleeve gastrectomies Aim To report the experience with transumbilical sleeve gastrectomy Material and Methods A prospective protocol of transumbilical sleeve gastrectomy was applied among patients with a body mass index of 36 kg/m(2) or less, and a distance between the who'd process and the umbilicus of less than 22 cm Results Six female patients, with a body mass index between 32 5 and 35 3 kg/m(2) have been operated The operative time ranged from 90 to 170 min An additional 5 mm trochar was required in the first two patients The postoperative barium swallow showed a good distal passage and the absence of stenosis, residual fundus or filtrations in all patients No patient had complications Conclusions Transumbilical sleeve gastrectomy is feasible among patients with a body mass index of less than 36 kg/m(2)