After a long history of trying to lose weight, Kristin Lampe knew she had to do something. Turning 40, fatigued, and injury prone, this former nurse now teacher found it difficult to be a role model and knew the medical issues she would most likely face if she didn’t lose the weight.

“I had a long history of trying to lose weight. I had always been active, but was suffering injuries to my knees and ankles from the weight,” said Lampe. “In spring of last year, I realized how unhappy I was.”

Because of her medical training as a nurse and teacher, Lampe knew that it would take a heroic effort to lose the weight she needed to lose.

“My mom had a gastric sleeve procedure years ago. I began nursing when surgical weight loss was gaining momentum, and I became convinced surgical weight loss works when I saw how changes occur at the cellular level affecting insulin levels in those who had diabetes,” she added.

While Lampe did not yet have diabetes, she knew it was most likely in her future if she did not find a way to lose weight. In addition to injuries and chronic fatigue from the weight she had gained, Lampe also suffered significant bleeding with her monthly cycles.

“The more overweight you are, the more testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen you have,” she said. “I hope to have a family one day and I knew that weight control was one of the ways to balance my hormones.”

After meeting the staff of Frye Regional Medical Center’s Surgical Weight Loss Program, Lampe decided she had the support she needed to move forward and have laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery last August. By September she was running on a treadmill and in January 2012 ran her first 5K in Florida in the Disney Family Fun Run 5K.

“Finally I had a celebration that wasn’t food centered,” said Lampe.

Earlier this spring, Lampe ran her first half marathon in late May, the Diva Half Marathon in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and two weeks later turned around and ran another with the Charity Chase Half Marathon in Hickory. To date, she has lost between 80 and 85 pounds and credits her weight loss and running success to her surgery, the supportive staff of the Frye Surgical Weight Loss Program and the staff at Fleet Feet Sports.

“It’s a ridiculous expectation that people have on themselves and those who need to lose large amounts of weight, that they have the time, energy and everything else it takes to lose the weight,” said Lampe. “If you are prepared to make the change, it (surgical weight loss) makes the impossible the possible.”

For information on the Frye Surgical Weight Loss Program, the staff and upcoming seminars, log onto www.fryemedctr.com/surgicalweighttloss. For a physician referral, call 828-315-3391.

*This testimonial reflects results achieved by this patient. As each case must be independently evaluated and managed, actual weight loss will vary.

*This surgery is designed for those with a body mass index equal to or greater than 40, or equal to or greater than 35 with serious co-morbidities.