Weight Loss & Vaginal Rejuvenation Specialist

We sat down with Ambyr Thompson, LPN, to talk about her work as a weight loss and metabolic health specialist in Petoskey, Michigan, her experience guiding patients through sustainable, medically supported change, and the subtle shifts that signal when the body finally starts working the way it should again.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you enjoy outside of work?
I live in Indian River, and during the warmer months you will almost always find me on the boat. I do not love the cold, so I tend to count the days until boating season returns. Outside of that, I enjoy tackling projects around the house. I also have one child still at home, which has been a big transition and keeps life interesting.

Where did you work before joining RegenCen and CSLC?
Before joining the practice, I worked alongside Dr. Lo for 11 years at Quick Care as his nurse. I have been a nurse for 27 years in total. Earlier in my career, I worked in med-surg, nursing homes, and home health care, which gave me a very broad clinical foundation. I joined the team here in the summer of 2021.

Would you be open to sharing your own wellness journey?
Yes. I have personally been on semaglutide and am also on testosterone replacement therapy. I originally started testosterone because of brain fog and irritability. I felt moody most of the time and not quite like myself. The change has been significant. After my most recent pellet, I noticed my focus improved, my energy stabilized, and I felt more balanced overall.

What are the most common concerns you hear from RegenCen patients?
Brain fog comes up most often. Weight gain and irritability are also very common concerns. We do hear about joint pain and low libido, but many women do not lead with those symptoms even though they can be closely connected to metabolic and hormonal health.

What improvements do men notice most after starting testosterone replacement?
Many men come in because their partner encouraged them to get checked. When they return for follow-ups, they often say they simply feel better overall or have a more positive outlook on life. They might mention improved performance at the gym, but they are not always specific. Often, they do not realize how poorly they were feeling until that baseline improves. We recently had a patient say his first round of treatment changed his life, which is always meaningful to hear.

Can you share a favorite patient success story?
Weight loss outcomes are always especially rewarding. I can think of several patients who have lost 80 pounds through our program. One patient in his late seventies lost 50 pounds, then continued to lose another 30 pounds on his own. He was able to come off multiple medications, his joints felt better, and his quality of life improved significantly. Another patient with colitis had been on long-term steroids and opioids for pain. After starting semaglutide, her symptoms improved to the point where she no longer needed either medication. Those kinds of outcomes are incredibly impactful.

What treatments have surprised you most with their results?
Hormone therapy continues to surprise me, particularly how many symptoms are tied to perimenopause and menopause that women do not always recognize. Many people only think about hot flashes or night sweats, but the picture is much broader. PRF injections also surprised me. I had them done in my shoulder during a training session, and the results were better than I expected.

What is one thing you wish more people understood about medically supported weight loss?
I wish people felt less stigma around medications like semaglutide. Many people are already using it, even if they are not talking about it openly. You also do not need to have a large amount of weight to lose for it to be medically appropriate. Even 20 pounds, depending on your health history, can increase risk for other conditions. I also think people underestimate how comprehensive our program is. This is not a mail-order medication. It is ongoing medical care and support.

How do you see weight loss and metabolic care evolving over the next decade, especially for women?
I think more women will pursue treatment as education improves and conversations become more open. Fear has kept many women from seeking care. As more women see that treatment is safe and understand the long-term benefits for overall health, including bone and brain health, I expect participation to continue to grow.

What do you enjoy most about working at RegenCen?
I enjoy having the ability to truly guide patients through their health journey. Working closely with Dr. Lo has always been important to me, and here we have the freedom to build thoughtful, individualized plans. As an LPN, that level of involvement is rare. It is rewarding to feel confident in what I recommend and to work with patients who genuinely want to be here.

Just for fun, what is your coffee order?
An iced chai latte with oat milk and an extra shot. I keep it iced for as long as I possibly can.