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Ask Dr. Fitzer

There are many options for weight-loss these days, and it can feel overwhelming to try to choose between them. Dr. Fitzer will take the time to understand your situation and your goals, so he can help you pick the best option for you, be it medical therapy or procedure.

Helping patients understand the weight-loss expectation for the various options and their pro’s and con’s is best achieved with a sit-down consultation in our office, where there can be an unhurried conversation. On the other hand, if you have a burning question you’d like answered sooner, fill out the form below to submit it to Dr. Fitzer.

By happy coincidence, Dr. Fitzer loves questions and concerns!

If you’d rather consult with Dr. Fitzer personally, feel free to call (703) 709-9771 to schedule an appointment.

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Read on to learn more about some of our frequently asked questions!

Common Bariatric Surgery Questions

During the exploration process, many patients come to us with similar questions. We’ve gathered some of the most commonly asked questions and answered them below.

What Is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is a process that involves a surgical alteration or rearrangement of the stomach or the digestive tract in order to stimulate weight loss.

What Kinds of Surgery Do You Offer?

At Virginia Bariatric Surgery Center, we offer three different surgical procedures to accommodate the unique physical needs of our patients. These include:

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
The oldest and most common bariatric procedure, the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass involves bypassing a portion of the small intestine in order to minimize the size of the stomach and the digestive tract.

Sleeve Gastrectomy
A highly effective way to lose weight, a Sleeve Gastrectomy removes the lower portion of the stomach, leaving a sleeve roughly the size of a banana.

LAP-BAND™ Procedure
Also known as an adjustable gastric band procedure, the LAP-BAND™ Procedure places an inflatable silicone band around the top portion of the stomach in order to limit both stomach space and appetite.

How Much Weight Will I Lose?

Weight loss varies among bariatric procedures. In general, you can expect to lose 30% to 60% of excess weight, or the amount of weight that exceeds healthy limits. Losing weight will generally depend on adherence to diet and exercise routines as advised by your doctor.

How Long Is Recovery?

Due to the use of laparoscopic procedures, recovery is far easier than it used to be. In general, the recovery process takes between one and four weeks and requires following unique rules related to diet and exercise. Upon selecting the procedure that best fits your needs, your doctor will talk with you about the specific diet you should follow, the amount of time you will need to wait before re-introducing exercise, and the weight loss timeline you can expect after surgery.

Bariatric surgery is a big process and at Virginia Bariatric Surgery Center, we’re dedicated to providing the best possible patient experience. Contact us today to get the answers to our bariatric surgery questions or to learn more about our procedures. Call (703) 709-9771 today!

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