Ask Dr. Fitzer
Bariatric surgery offers numerous benefits, yet can be an overwhelming proposition for those who are just exploring bariatric surgery options. As such, most people have questions and concerns.
If you have bariatric surgery questions, we are happy to help! At Virginia Bariatric Surgery Center, we know that many of our prospective patients have questions regarding weight loss expectations, the ins and outs of each procedure, recovery, and so much more. Fill out the form below to submit your inquiry to Dr. Fitzer.
Be sure to include all required information, including your name, email address, question category, and question.
Alternately, if you'd prefer to speak with Dr. Fitzer personally, feel free to call (703) 709-9771 to schedule an appointment.
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!
