#WhyFrye x #WhyNCBI | Tracy Sain

Tracy Sain took a moment to stop and rest while on a walk. Breathing heavily, struggling to catch his breath, and longing for comfort, Tracy made a decision that would ultimately change his life forever. In early 2018, Tracy decided to undergo gastric bypass surgery to alter his nearly 400-pound life.

During his college years, Tracy was slightly overweight but maintained a healthy lifestyle traversing his alma mater, Appalachian State University. His weight never stopped him from doing what he loved, and he never thought twice about his weight affecting him. After graduation, his life took a turn toward obesity.

Tracy began his professional career in communications and graphic arts. His work schedule demanded hours of sitting behind a desk, designing and answering emails. This was the beginning of his consistent weight gain.

20 years after graduation, Tracy was diagnosed with diabetes. He had gained roughly 100 pounds due to his job and diagnosis. His life was filled with prescription refills, monthly visits to the doctor, and an air of caution around every activity.

“My weight became unmanageable,” said Tracy. “I asked myself, ‘Do I want to live my life this way?’ I didn’t want to become someone that just existed."

Tracy, at 56-years-old and 394 pounds, began researching ways to lose weight so he could be the active outdoorsman he was in college. After some research and speaking with his peers, he consulted with his physician and insurance providers in Charlotte to see if gastric bypass surgery would be beneficial for him.

They approved.

Shortly after approval, Tracy decided to pursue surgery at Frye Regional Surgical Weight Loss, now the North Carolina Bariatric Institute. In May 2018, Tracy had his gastric bypass surgery at Frye Regional Medical Center, performed by Dr. Jonathan Hata.

After recovery, Tracy noticed substantial changes in the quality of his life. Within the first year he had lost 125 pounds, became active again, could breathe better, and stopped overeating.

Today, six years post-surgery, Tracy now walks three to four miles every weekday, has massively reduced his diabetes medicine, and has even picked up hiking. He recently hiked in Vermont and through the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York. Nothing feels out of reach for him now, and he is extremely grateful for the team that supported him at Frye Regional.

“It’s like I’ve been reborn,” said Tracy. “I can walk up hills and not be out of breath. I went to three App State football games and never stopped to rest once.”

Becky Steele, the Surgical Weight Loss Program Coordinator at the North Carolina Bariatric Institute, was an integral part of Tracy’s journey. She spoke with him, checked on him daily, and ensured Tracy had everything he needed postoperatively.

From worrying about making it up the stairs, to hiking in the Adirondack Mountains, Tracy’s journey has been incredible and suggests that everyone should listen to their body and its needs.

“If surgical weight loss is something you’re thinking about and you need it, proceed.” Tracy said. “I would do this all again if I knew the outcome was this.”

To learn more about weight loss options at the North Carolina Bariatric Institute, please visit us online at NorthCarolinaBariatricInstitute.com. Give us a call at 828.315.5577 to learn more about our FREE virtual information session and take the first step in your weight loss journey.