I have heard of people having their stomach stapled and wondered if the sleeve is what they are referring to or if it is a different procedure. I have heard of people having their stomach stapled for 20 years but only recently have heard of the sleeve...

No not the same. you need to look at pictures to see what they used to do. They made a pouch buy cutting a hole in middle of stomach.

There is more than one procedure referred to as stapling...

This procedure has been around for a long time, but used in weight loss as a primary tool only "recently".

This method of stapling and cauterizing has been used to create a smooth pouch for cancer patients, trama, etc...and is still used as a first procedure for peole considered too high risk for the bypass options - the bypass surgery follows after the initial weigh loss and reduction of co-morbidities.