#WhyNCBI – Barbara Banner
September 10, 2026
More Energy for the Moments That Matter: Barbara’s Weight Loss Journey
As Frye Regional Medical Center celebrates 25 years of helping patients improve their health through surgical weight loss, Barbara Banner, a resident of Marion, North Carolina, is among the thousands of patients whose lives have been changed through the program now known as North Carolina Bariatric Institute.
For most of her adult life, Barbara struggled with her weight, trying countless diets and weight-loss approaches. Her turning point came after taking Christmas photos with her husband, three daughters, sons-in-law and eight grandchildren.
“When I looked at those pictures, I said, ‘I’m done,’” Barbara recalled. “I decided this was something I was going to do for myself and for my family. I want to be around to watch my grandkids grow up.”
After hearing about another patient’s positive experience, Barbra called the North Carolina Bariatric Institute. She underwent weight-loss surgery in July 2022.
“It has been the best decision I’ve ever made for myself,” she said.
Barbara has since lost approximately 85 pounds, surpassing her original goal weight of 160 pounds. But what she has gained matters more.
“I feel wonderful,” Barbara said. “I’m outside running with my grandkids. I’m in the pool with them. I go to their ball games, and when we travel as a family, I can keep up. Now they’re 10 or 15 steps behind me.”
Twenty-five years after Frye Regional began offering surgical weight loss, stories like Barbara’s continue to reflect the program’s purpose: helping patients pursue better health and more active lives.
Barbara’s advice to others considering weight-loss surgery is simple: “Don’t be afraid. Just talk to them and see,” she said. “I would do it again tomorrow if I had to.”
To learn more about weight loss options, visit northcarolinabariatricinstitute.com or call 828.315.5577. Complete a health risk assessment and take the first step toward a healthier you.
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