I hate to see you have to travel to find a surgeon but since you will, I suggest Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory or The Center for Surgical Weight Loss at Lake Norman in Mooresville. Distance will be about the same. I considered Frye but ultimately decided on Lake Norman. My surgeon is Dr T. Ryan Heider. I checked him out on the internet and asked for some references. It boils down to whom you feel the most comfortable with. I've attended the Seminar, the support meetings and had my Endoscopy there and I've been very happy so far.
I'm sure "aroundhcky" will chime in with his experience at Frye.
Good luck to you. The more I learn about Bariatic surgery, .... it is going to be quite a ride but one that will be well worth it.
Let me know if I can be of any help. I am currently on my 6th day of the liquid diet and am doing ok,
I AM WITH HEIDER TOO on 2 /13/14