Virginia Bariatric Center — home

We are proud of each success story!

Most of the patients in these stories had either gastric sleeve or bypass surgery. To start on your own, call us at or visit our .

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Paula C. — weight-loss progress after bariatric surgery at Virginia Bariatric Center
Paula C.'s side-by-side weight-loss transformation after bariatric surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer in Northern Virginia.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Paula C.

An anonymous patient who got her groove back before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
An anonymous patient who got her groove back after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
An anonymous patient back on the dance floor after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Anonymous

Talk about getting your groove back!

An anonymous transformation before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
An anonymous transformation after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
A before-and-after comparison of an anonymous Virginia Bariatric Center patient.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Anonymous

Another amazing anonymous transformation before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Another amazing anonymous transformation after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Another before-and-after comparison of an anonymous bariatric surgery patient in Northern Virginia.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Anonymous

An anonymous patient’s one-year change before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
An anonymous patient’s one-year change after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
An anonymous patient's before-and-after change following weight-loss surgery at Virginia Bariatric Center.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Anonymous

M. M. before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
M. M. after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
M. M. before and after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer at Virginia Bariatric Center.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

M. M.

L. S. before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
L. S. after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
L. S. photographed before and after bariatric surgery in Northern Virginia.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

L. S.

JDB before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
JDB after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
JDB's before-and-after weight-loss result following surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

JDB

Jack A. before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Jack A. after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Jack A. before and after his bariatric surgery journey at Virginia Bariatric Center.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Jack A.

Shelly T. before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Shelly T. after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Shelly T.'s side-by-side weight-loss transformation after surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Shelly T.

Alfred and Patricia Crews before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Alfred and Patricia Crews after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Alfred and Patricia Crews, a couple who had weight-loss surgery together at Virginia Bariatric Center.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Alfred and Patricia Crews

Amanda G. — weight-loss progress after bariatric surgery at Virginia Bariatric Center
Amanda G. showing her weight-loss progress after bariatric surgery in Northern Virginia.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Amanda G.

Amanda G., another view before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Amanda G., another view after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Amanda G., another view of her weight-loss results with Dr. Matthew Fitzer.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Amanda G. (again)

Amanda R. before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Amanda R. after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Amanda R. before and nearly two years after her gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Amanda R.

Dr. Fitzer and his staff are FABULOUS! I had a bariatric sleeve done almost 2 years ago and I've never felt healthier. The support before and after surgery has been incredible.

Ban H. before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Ban H. after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Ban H.'s before-and-after weight-loss comparison following bariatric surgery in Northern Virginia.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Ban H.

Chad Beckhert before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Chad Beckhert after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Chad Beckhert one year after his weight-loss surgery at Virginia Bariatric Center.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Chad Beckhert

Good morning to the staff at Virginia Bariatrics — 1 year ago today you changed my life forever and for that I would like to thank the entire staff. From the first day I called to start my journey, your office has been hands down the best Dr. Office I've ever dealt with. I'm now in a much more enjoyable time in my life. I attached a couple before and after pictures for you to add to your board. Again I thank you for helping me through this process.

Cynthia Welgoss before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Cynthia Welgoss after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Cynthia Welgoss, who began her surgical weight-loss journey with a BMI of 35, before and after.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Cynthia Welgoss

With a BMI of 35, I was at the lower end of what many would say was heavy enough for surgery. Dr. Fitzer took my concerns seriously and helped me find a path that truly worked for me.

E.M. and his mom before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
E.M. and his mom after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
E.M. and his mother, both weight-loss surgery patients of Dr. Matthew Fitzer.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

E.M. and his mom

A Halloween-costume transformation before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
A Halloween-costume transformation after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
A Virginia Bariatric Center patient in Halloween costume before and after weight-loss surgery.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Happy Halloween!

Jason Lamprey before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Jason Lamprey after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Jason Lamprey before and after his bariatric surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Jason Lamprey

So thankful to have found Virginia Bariatric and Dr. Fitzer. My life has forever been changed. The whole team walked me through every step and celebrated every milestone with me.

Kristina and Sean before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Kristina and Sean after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Kristina and Sean, a couple who had weight-loss surgery together in Northern Virginia.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Kristina and Sean

Power couple!

Lori M. before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Lori M. after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Lori M.'s before-and-after weight-loss result following surgery at Virginia Bariatric Center.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Lori M.

Lorraine W. before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Lorraine W. after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Lorraine W. photographed before and after her bariatric surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Lorraine W.

Lucretia Dennington before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Lucretia Dennington after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Lucretia Dennington's side-by-side weight-loss transformation in Northern Virginia.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Lucretia Dennington

Michael T. before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Michael T. after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Michael T. before and after the surgery he says changed his life.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Michael T.

When my wife and I first met with Dr. Fitzer, he asked me what I would say if he told me he could change my life. Today I know exactly what to say — thank you.

Mr. G before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Mr. G after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Mr. G after his weight-loss surgery at Virginia Bariatric Center.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Mr. G

Forgot his before. Se la vie...

Shona Gardner before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Shona Gardner after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Shona Gardner three years after her weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Shona Gardner

3 years ago Dr. Fitzer changed my life for the better. I finally feel like “myself” again — more confident, more energetic, and grateful every day for the care I received.

Tawana B. before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Tawana B. after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Tawana B.'s before-and-after weight-loss comparison following bariatric surgery.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Tawana B.

Tiffany W. before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Tiffany W. after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
Tiffany W. before and after her weight-loss surgery at Virginia Bariatric Center.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Tiffany W.

K. Campos before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
K. Campos after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
K. Campos before and after gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer in Northern Virginia.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

K. Campos

It changed my life! They have a wonderful team. I was worried I’d regret it, but I am very happy I did it. I feel so much better in every way. I didn’t realize how many of my health issues were weight-related because I had been bigger my entire life. I am now able to do so many things that I’ve never been able to. Thank you, Dr. Fitzer!

K. S. before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
K. S. after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
K. S.'s full-length before-and-after weight-loss transformation at Virginia Bariatric Center.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

K. S.

An anonymous bariatric surgery patient’s side-by-side result — weight-loss progress after bariatric surgery at Virginia Bariatric Center
An anonymous patient's before-and-after weight-loss result after bariatric surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer at Virginia Bariatric Center in Northern Virginia.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Anonymous

An anonymous transformation before weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
An anonymous transformation after weight-loss surgery with Dr. Matthew Fitzer
An anonymous patient's before-and-after weight-loss transformation at Virginia Bariatric Center.Photo credit: Virginia Bariatric Center. Patient photo shared with permission; unretouched.

Anonymous

How much weight can I expect to lose after bariatric surgery?
Most of Dr. Fitzer's gastric sleeve patients lose about 70% of their excess weight, and Virginia Bariatric's own data show patients holding above 70% excess weight loss from year one through year nine. Gastric bypass patients often lose a similar or slightly greater amount. Results vary from patient to patient depending on starting weight, medical conditions, activity and eating habits.
How long does it take to see before-and-after results?
Weight loss is fastest in the first three to six months after surgery and usually continues for 12 to 18 months. Most of the before-and-after photos on this page were taken between one and two years after surgery.
Are these real patients of Dr. Fitzer?
Yes. Every before-and-after photo and testimonial on this page comes from an actual Virginia Bariatric Center patient who gave permission to share their story. Photos are not stock images or digitally altered.
Will I have loose skin after losing the weight?
Some patients have loose skin after large amounts of weight loss, and how much depends on age, genetics, starting weight and how long the extra weight was carried. Strength training and steady, well-nourished weight loss help. Body-contouring surgery is an option for patients who are bothered by it once their weight is stable.
Can I keep the weight off long term?
Yes, with follow-up. Patients who stay in touch with our team, keep protein intake up, stay active and attend support groups maintain their results best. If weight starts to return, we can help with a structured plan and, when appropriate, medical weight-loss medications.
How do I get started with weight-loss surgery in Northern Virginia?
Request an appointment with Dr. Fitzer at Virginia Bariatric Center. We review your medical history and insurance coverage, discuss whether gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, the balloon or medical weight loss fits you best, and walk you through the steps to surgery.

We have plenty of room for more stories. Shall we begin yours?