Anyone use Dr. Fitzer at Virginia Bariatric?

[SampTheChamp 234]

1 minute 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!!

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

[tera73 34]

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]

[gr8ful1 122]

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?

[tera73 34]

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.

[reboot 13]

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!

[Roxine 211]

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!

[reboot 13]

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?

[SampTheChamp 234]

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.

[reboot 13]

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.

[SampTheChamp 234]

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

[tera73 34]

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?

[obxshell89 33]

I had my surgery in Haymarket. No issues at all. I was in the hospital for 2 days.

[tera73 34]

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

[tera73 34]

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.

[obxshell89 33]

I wasnt required to take any classes. Only a psych exam