Bariatric Surgery in Northern Virginia
If you are considering weight-loss surgery, it’s important to understand the available procedures and what they can do for you. Dr. Fitzer can help you select the optimal procedure to help you reach your goal.
Explore Our Bariatric Procedures
Dr. Fitzer performs the full range of weight-loss operations. Each link below opens a detailed guide to help you compare your options:
Paying without insurance? See self-pay prices for every procedure, including what the price covers, or learn about financing options and payment plans for weight loss surgery.
- Qualifications for surgeryThe BMI and health criteria for weight-loss surgery, and what to do if you don't meet them yet.
- Gastric sleeve surgery (sleeve gastrectomy)Removes ~80% of the stomach; the most popular procedure, with ~70% excess weight loss.
- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgeryThe gold-standard operation for durable weight loss and acid reflux relief.
- Gastric bypass vs. gastric sleeve comparisonSide-by-side breakdown of weight loss, diabetes, reflux, safety, and reversibility.
- LAP-BAND adjustable gastric bandingAn adjustable silicone band that limits portion size without cutting the stomach.
- Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG)An incisionless, same-day outpatient procedure that reshapes the stomach internally.
- Intragastric balloon (Orbera)A temporary gastric balloon for moderate weight loss without an operation.
- Revisional bariatric surgeryCorrective and conversion procedures for a prior sleeve, bypass, band, or ESG.
- Hiatal hernia repairLaparoscopic repair of hiatal and paraesophageal hernias, alone or during weight-loss surgery.
- About bariatric surgery insurance coverageHow insurance approval works for weight-loss surgery, and what our team verifies with your plan before you commit.
- Self-pay pricingPublished self-pay prices for sleeve, bypass, Lap-Band, revision, ESG, TORe, and the Orbera balloon.
Qualifications for Surgery
BMI thresholds, comorbidity criteria, and age guidance to help you understand whether you qualify for bariatric surgery.
See If You Qualify for SurgeryGastric Sleeve Surgery (Sleeve Gastrectomy)
Removes ~80% of the stomach; the most popular procedure, with ~70% excess weight loss.
Learn About Gastric Sleeve SurgeryGastric Bypass
Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y bypass — the long-standing gold standard for sustained weight loss and reflux relief.
Learn About Gastric BypassGastric Bypass vs. Sleeve
A side-by-side comparison of the two most common operations — weight loss, diabetes, reflux, safety, and reversibility — with Dr. Fitzer’s own 10-year data.
Compare Bypass and SleeveAdjustable Gastric Banding
The LAP-BAND® procedure places an adjustable silicone band around the upper stomach to limit portion size.
Learn About the BandEndoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG)
An incisionless, endoscopic alternative that reshapes the stomach using internal sutures. Same-day outpatient.
Learn About ESGIntragastric Balloon
A soft silicone balloon placed in the stomach for up to six months to support short-term weight loss.
Learn About the BalloonRevisional Bariatric Surgery
Corrective and conversion procedures for patients with a prior sleeve, bypass, band, or ESG who need a second-stage option.
Learn About RevisionsHiatal Hernia Repair
Laparoscopic repair of hiatal and paraesophageal hernias — for reflux, regurgitation, and hernias found during weight-loss surgery.
Learn About Hiatal Hernia RepairAbout Bariatric Surgery Insurance Coverage
Which plans cover sleeve, bypass, and revision surgery, the criteria insurers use to approve them, and how our team verifies your benefits.
Learn About Insurance CoverageSelf-Pay Pricing
Published self-pay prices for sleeve, bypass, Lap-Band, revision, ESG, TORe, and the Orbera balloon — what is included and how payment works.
See Self-Pay Pricing
Understand the Options
The right choice depends on your medical status, lifestyle, and — probably more than anything else — your weight-loss goal. In a one-on-one consultation, Dr. Fitzer walks you through the outcome expectations, risks, and recovery (where applicable) for all options for which you are a candidate.
Bariatric surgery near Herndon, Reston and Fairfax
Dr. Fitzer sees patients at our office at 171 Elden Street, Suite 3B, Herndon, and operates at INOVA Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax. Endoscopic procedures (ESG, TORe and the Orbera balloon), LAP-BAND surgery and hiatal hernia repair are almost always outpatient. Sleeve, bypass and most revisions usually need one night in the hospital. Call 703-709-9771 to schedule.
Weight-Loss Surgery FAQs
- How do I know whether surgery or weight-loss medication is right for me?
This is a really important question. To steer a patient to the right option, we need to understand two things: (1) what is the minimum weight loss they would be satisfied with? (2) how well (or poorly) do they respond to weight loss medications?
Based on how we answer those two questions, new considerations come up. If surgery looks like a better choice, then we need to assess their fitness for it. For medicine or surgery, we look at things like medical history and health status, insurance coverage, and logistical factors (how much recovery time you can take, copay for medications, etc.).
Patients with a lower BMI or who want to avoid an operation often start with medication, or sometimes an endoscopy procedure. Patients with a high BMI or diabetes usually get the most benefit from surgery. Dr. Fitzer will review the pro's and con's of all the options with you during a one-on-one consultation. That is how we start the process.
- What weight-loss procedures does Dr. Fitzer perform?
- Dr. Fitzer offers gastric sleeve surgery (sleeve gastrectomy), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, LAP-BAND adjustable gastric banding, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), the Orbera intragastric balloon, and revisional bariatric surgery. He also manages GLP-1 weight-loss medication such as Zepbound and Wegovy for patients who prefer a non-surgical option.
- Which weight-loss surgery is the most effective?
- Gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass produce the largest and most durable weight loss. Dr. Fitzer's sleeve patients average about 70% excess weight loss, and bypass results are comparable. Endoscopic and balloon procedures produce less weight loss but require no incisions, and medication results depend on staying on treatment.
- Am I a candidate for bariatric surgery?
- Most insurers approve bariatric surgery for patients with a BMI of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with an obesity-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, or high blood pressure. Self-pay patients with a BMI of 30 or higher may also qualify for endoscopic options.
- Does insurance cover weight-loss procedures in Virginia?
- Many Virginia plans, including Anthem BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, and Medicare, cover gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery when medical criteria are met. Endoscopic procedures, balloons, and weight-loss medication are covered less often. Our team verifies your benefits before you commit to anything.