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Anyone use Dr. Fitzer at Virginia Bariatric?

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  • obxshell89
    obxshell89

    Sure. I was 240lbs - Had type 2 diabetes. High blood pressure. High Cholesterol. Today, I am 157lbs. I work out, eat right, diabetes is gone. High blood pressure is gone. High cholesterol is

  • obxshell89
    obxshell89

    Thanks so much! When people say this is the "easy way out" it is not in the least. You still have to eat right and exercise. Make sure you take those vitamins everyday. Your labs will show if you

  • Hi all - I just had my Gastric Bypass surgery last Monday - March 5, 2018 Dr Fitzer is the best. He doesn’t pull any punches. He tells you exactly what he expects from you and what the consequences

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WOOOHOOOO!!!! You go girl!!!! So happy for you. Life is about to get good for you.

Thank you!!! I’m kinda still in shock...but my stomach is doing flip flops...lol! [emoji23]


20 minutes ago, tera73 said:

Ok....the past 3 hours have been a whirlwind! I called insurance this morning and they received everything...said they would request medical records and they normally have a decision within 3 days. Imagine my surprise when Danielle calls and says that they called her and that I had paper to sign and then it would be approved!! She quickly emailed me the form and I signed it and sent it back to her...next thing I know, we are scheduling my pre op with the PA and my surgery!!! A year ago when I started this, I was totally discouraged when I found out I had to wait 12 months...and complete all these different requirements from the insurance....including losing 40 pounds! Every visit, I would see people scheduling their surgery and felt like mine was never going to happen...I go for my pre op April 26 and then my surgery is May 7 at Reston hospital. We at first were aiming for May 15 at Haymarket, but my insurance wouldn’t cover there. Now, the nerves have set it; but the excitement is through the roof! Thank you guys for all the encouragement and motivation!!

Awesome! Is now the time when you also go to see your primary care doctor for the "pre op clearance" and tests that are to be done in the 30 days prior to surgery? Do you need to do an EKG/ECG, endoscopy, bloodwork, or other stuff?

Awesome! Is now the time when you also go to see your primary care doctor for the "pre op clearance" and tests that are to be done in the 30 days prior to surgery? Do you need to do an EKG/ECG, endoscopy, bloodwork, or other stuff?

Danielle told me to call my primary dr to set that up for next week. She’s sending me the info to give my dr because the blood panel they need is different. I also have to do the EKG. She never mentioned endoscopy...my insurance didn’t require that...so not sure? I’ll have to ask her.


16 hours ago, tera73 said:

Ok....the past 3 hours have been a whirlwind! I called insurance this morning and they received everything...said they would request medical records and they normally have a decision within 3 days. Imagine my surprise when Danielle calls and says that they called her and that I had paper to sign and then it would be approved!! She quickly emailed me the form and I signed it and sent it back to her...next thing I know, we are scheduling my pre op with the PA and my surgery!!! A year ago when I started this, I was totally discouraged when I found out I had to wait 12 months...and complete all these different requirements from the insurance....including losing 40 pounds! Every visit, I would see people scheduling their surgery and felt like mine was never going to happen...I go for my pre op April 26 and then my surgery is May 7 at Reston hospital. We at first were aiming for May 15 at Haymarket, but my insurance wouldn’t cover there. Now, the nerves have set it; but the excitement is through the roof! Thank you guys for all the encouragement and motivation!!

OH MY GOODNESS - I am so excited for you.. let us know how it goes. I am living vicariously through you!

17 hours ago, tera73 said:

Ok....the past 3 hours have been a whirlwind! I called insurance this morning and they received everything...said they would request medical records and they normally have a decision within 3 days. Imagine my surprise when Danielle calls and says that they called her and that I had paper to sign and then it would be approved!! She quickly emailed me the form and I signed it and sent it back to her...next thing I know, we are scheduling my pre op with the PA and my surgery!!! A year ago when I started this, I was totally discouraged when I found out I had to wait 12 months...and complete all these different requirements from the insurance....including losing 40 pounds! Every visit, I would see people scheduling their surgery and felt like mine was never going to happen...I go for my pre op April 26 and then my surgery is May 7 at Reston hospital. We at first were aiming for May 15 at Haymarket, but my insurance wouldn’t cover there. Now, the nerves have set it; but the excitement is through the roof! Thank you guys for all the encouragement and motivation!!

Congratulations! Oddly I wasn't nervous the day of surgery. I was so prepared and ready to take back control of my life that I was eager.

I had mine at Reston as well and was very pleased with the level of care I received. Just remember when you wake from surgery to walk, walk, walk, and sip, sip, sip. The more you walk, the quicker you will relieve the gas pressure in your belly, and the sooner you can get down enough fluids, the sooner you get to go home :)

Look forward to watching your journey over the next several months!

4 hours ago, Roxine said:

Just remember when you wake from surgery to walk, walk, walk, and sip, sip, sip.

Out of curiosity, how long did you have to wait after surgery until you were allowed to begin with the water sipping?

Just now, reboot said:

Out of curiosity, how long did you have to wait after surgery until you were allowed to begin with the Water sipping?

Once you wake up from anesthesia. They get you started right away.

Just now, SampTheChamp said:

Once you wake up from anesthesia. They get you started right away.

Awesome... I was worried about that because I heard of some surgeons making you wait until the next day.

4 minutes ago, reboot said:

Awesome... I was worried about that because I heard of some surgeons making you wait until the next day.

Nah, Fitz had me start right away. It was great. Feels weird at first. It's all in your head though. It was fine

I had been curious about Reston...I’m used to going there for my appointments anyways, so it’s familiar. My friend had her sleeve done by Dr Fitzer almost two years ago... she did Haymarket. I’m thinking I’ll be a nervous wreck that day. Just because of my kids...I’ve never been put to sleep...delivered my daughter almost 7 years ago by c-section...that’s it. I have a son in North Carolina for school, he’s 20. Kylee will be 7 the weekend after my surgery. I assume it’s normal to fear not waking up? I’ve heard about the walking and the sipping. How long did you guys stay in the hospital?

Danielle said yesterday mine would probably be in the afternoon...

Hey guys! Hope you’re enjoying your Sunday! :) For those that have already had surgery, did you have to take the Bariatric surgery class with Azra at Reston? My paper has that on there, but I wasn’t sure when I should do it or what all it entailed.


27 minutes ago, tera73 said:

Hey guys! Hope you’re enjoying your Sunday! :) For those that have already had surgery, did you have to take the Bariatric surgery class with Azra at Reston? My paper has that on there, but I wasn’t sure when I should do it or what all it entailed.

I sent Azra an e-mail asking her about that, and she sent me a link to a youtube video where she explains the logistics of surgery at Reston.

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