Dr. Fitzer with Virginia Bariatric Surgery Center

[LMays 13]

Has anyone been/is a patient of Dr. Matthew Fitzer?

[TFL21 0]

Yes, my sister and I both were/are! My sister had her surgery almost 2 years ago. She looks and feels AMAZING! She went from 220 down to 130. I just had my surgery June 12th, so I’m still new at this. I’ve lost about 30 pounds, feel great, and have no issues at all!

Dr. Fitzer is wonderful! His staff are wonderful! Surgery AND recovery was a breeze! Pain meds, sleep, walk. Repeat.

You've chosen a wonderful doctor. And you’re in good hands.😉🤸‍♂️

[LMays 13]

Awesome! How long were you in the hospital?

[TFL21 0]

I stayed for 2 nights.

When I woke up, from surgery it felt like I got karate kicked in the stomach. Like the wind is knocked out of you. They immediately give you dilaudid, and you’re fine! Roz, a very funny and awesome lady came in and said, “ congratulations! you did it! This is the beginning of life long change!”

I don’t think I’ll ever forget her and those words because she made feel like I hit a jackpot.

Bring a warm blanket that you can fold up in an overnight bag. I came and left in the same clothes, and didn’t bring much except my cell. They give you a medicine cup of Water the size of a small shot glass. And you have to sip, sip, sip. I used my cell as an alarm every 5 or 15 minutes to sip water. The pain meds will make you sleep, and if you have kids or need sleep, take advantage of this! I told the nurses to let me sleep and sleep through the night but I WALKED and walked every time I woke up.

I’ve had 2 c-sections and an appendectomy. This was a piece of cake! Best investment I EVER made!

You will do great!

[LMays 13]

6 minutes ago, TFL21 said:

I stayed for 2 nights.

When I woke up, from surgery it felt like I got karate kicked in the stomach. Like the wind is knocked out of you. They immediately give you dilaudid, and you’re fine! Roz, a very funny and awesome lady came in and said, “ congratulations! you did it! This is the beginning of life long change!”

I don’t think I’ll ever forget her and those words because she made feel like I hit a jackpot.

Bring a warm blanket that you can fold up in an overnight bag. I came and left in the same clothes, and didn’t bring much except my cell. They give you a medicine cup of Water the size of a small shot glass. And you have to sip, sip, sip. I used my cell as an alarm every 5 or 15 minutes to sip Water. The pain meds will make you sleep, and if you have kids or need sleep, take advantage of this! I told the nurses to let me sleep and sleep through the night but I WALKED and walked every time I woke up.

I’ve had 2 c-sections and an appendectomy. This was a piece of cake! Best investment I EVER made!

You will do great!

Thank you very much for sharing that with me. You answered ALL my questions!!!

[LMays 13]

I have another question. Did you have to wash with antiseptic soap?

[TFL21 0]

No, they didn’t say anything about antiseptic soap. They only said not to put soap or lotion on your incisions after surgery. Just let the Water roll off. I healed very quickly with no issues!

[LMays 13]

On 7/25/2019 at 10:30 PM, TFL21 said:

No, they didn’t say anything about antiseptic soap. They only said not to put soap or lotion on your incisions after surgery. Just let the Water roll off. I healed very quickly with no issues!

Sorry for all the questions but I have 1 more. If you work, how long did you take off?

[TFL21 0]

I’m a stay at home mom. Since you’re surgery is on a Tuesday, I’d take the rest of the week off and go back on Monday. Binge watch!!!

[LMays 13]

14 hours ago, TFL21 said:

I’m a stay at home mom. Since you’re surgery is on a Tuesday, I’d take the rest of the week off and go back on Monday. Binge watch!!!

Ok thanks!!

[gr8ful1 122]

Fitzer is fantastic. I had my gastric bypass with him almost exactly a year ago. I would recommend taking at least 2 weeks off from work, including telework. It's not that you can't manage things like e-mail and phone calls, but you will want to focus on your post-op routines during that time, and that includes drinking frequently, as well as eating different types and quantities of foods as you progress through the green sheet.

[gr8ful1 122]

Dr. Fitzer's office also runs a very good support group that meets at Reston Hospital the first Monday of every month:

6:00 p.m. Pavilion 2, 2nd floor, Classroom A

[Ameenashit 0]

He is the best surgeon for bypass