Kirk Frazee

As I pulled up to Bob Evans Transport, a gentleman walking by directed me where to park. I was there to interview a lap band patient on his success. I would have never guessed it was the gentleman that I had seen in the parking lot. Kirk, 51years old, is 6’1” and from looking at him you would not have known he weighed 342 pounds only nine months ago. When I found out I was interviewing a trucking transport manager, I expected a rough tuck driver kind of guy, but Kirk is the complete opposite.
 
When asked why he decided to have the Lap Band Procedure®, Kirk replied, “I have a 26 year old daughter who has been dating the same guy for a while. I know at some point she will be getting married, I didn’t want to embarrass her when I walk her down the aisle. Plus my doctor told me to look into Gastric Bypass but my insurance as well as my wife’s didn’t cover the procedure. and I didn’t like the idea of rerouting my intestine.”
 
The journey began June 13, 2007, when he went to see Dr. Ellison. Kirk did not know at this time that Dr. Ellison was involved with Holzer Weight Loss Solutions (HWLS), but his wife did. Kirk’s blood pressure was around 180/11. He asked Dr. Ellison what he knew about weight loss surgery and if he could get him in to see Dr. Canady at HWLS. Dr. Ellison told Kirk, he was going to have to make that call himself. Later Kirk realized this was Dr. Ellison’s way of finding out how serious he was about losing the weight.
 
Kirk did call and set up a consultation. Surgery was scheduled for Tuesday, December 4th at 11am and Kirk went home that evening at 8pm. He didn’t tell anyone at work he was going to have this procedure done except his receptionist. He took Wednesday off and returned to work Thursday December 6th.
 
I asked Kirk what his family thought of his weight loss, his reply was, “They are tickled to death! I have more energy now and I love to walk with my wife. People notice that I have lost the weight. Even a few people I work with are thinking about having the Lap Band® procedure. One is already scheduled.”
 
Only within the last 15 years has Kirk gained his weight. “I married my wife in 1976 and was 160 pounds. I told her that she had two of me these last few years.”
 
Kirk had no concerns going into Lap Band®. He had done his research and knew the Lap Band® had a quicker turnaround time. His company needed a manager at work, so weeks off was not an option.
 
“I picked HWLS because it is in my backyard,” state Kirk. If there is ever a problem they are right there to help. The staff is wonderful, I was impressed with them. They went above and beyond the call of the jobs. Kim, the RN at HWLS, has even called me at work to  checking on me.”
 
I asked Kirk what he would tell someone who was considering having the Lap Band® performed, he said, “Do it and don’t think about it. The key to success is portion size and exercise. You also have to have a support person. But don’t think once the surgery is over you are finished. Attend support group meetings. I look forward to these times to talk with people who have gone through this.”
 
Now Kirk Frazee is a walking advertisement for Lap Band®. He weighs 255 pounds and has a blood pressure around 107/70. He said he still would like to lose 30 more pounds. His daughter came in from Florida a few weeks ago and Kirk was able to jog with her. He has only had two adjustments since his surgery but has made huge changes in his life. He eats bananas in the morning instead of donuts and drives past the grocery store that he used to stop at every day to get a sausage biscuit.
 
At the end of the interview, Kirk said something that I hear from everyone that considers Lap Band® “I would lose 50 pounds then gain 50 plus 20 back. I knew I had to do something when the scale said ‘get off’.” The one thing that stuck with me after the interview was when Kirk said, “I am a blessed man and I wanted to live a long to enjoy my family.”

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