A DAY IN KIMBERLY'S LIFE

Whew

2010-05-29T15:36:00.000-05:00

I saw the doctor last week and have been upgraded to stage 3- "Mushy Food". Im feeling too full to really eat anything. So far, Ive mastered 1 oz of Wendy's chili. YUM! I mix it with sour cream. Today Im trying some soup. The last two days Ive been eating The Laughing cow cheese medallions. I can eat half at a time. They are a great source of protein and taste yummy too.

My incisions are healing pretty well. I still am having issues with water. Ive been drinking flat, Diet, caffiene free Ginger Ale. YUM!

I had surgery on 5-13-10

2010-05-16T17:58:00.000-05:00

I am three days post op. I wanted to update everyone on whats been going on. I had gastric bypass on the 13th. The first two days were pure hell! The pain was so intense. I really think it was a failure on my hospital's behalf to control my pain. I left the afternoon of day three. I am now home resting. I feel very full and tired. As I recover Ill post more and get some pictures and all up. Thanks for following.

Approved...WOOO HOOO

2010-04-13T07:08:00.000-05:00

My denial was overturned! I got approval on Saturday 4-10-10. Im waiting to hear from my surgeon's nurse about the date of surgery and any other things I have to do. Im so happy. Ive been agonizing over this whole process for nearly two months. What a relief! If you are denied.... fight it. It is your health and you have to take a stand!

Insurance Update

2010-02-11T18:01:00.000-06:00

Ok, so I heard from my surgeon's office that they submitted my appeal paperwork on 2/2/10. Ive been calling my insurance company every few days to see if they recieved it. Finally, today they said it was in process. Whew! I sure hope it doesnt take the full 60 days to get approved.

Insurance Denied me

2010-01-25T11:12:00.002-06:00

Im so bummed! My insurance denied me on 1-14-09 bc I dont weigh enough. I cant believe it. I have a new weigh in on Friday for my appeal. Wish me luck!

Hurry up and WAIT!

2010-01-09T04:36:00.000-06:00

Bleh! I feel like Ive been waiting forever to get on with this whole process. I had my consultation on Dec. 23rd, can you believe my surgeon's office hasnt even submitted my paperwork to my insurance company yet? I called a week or so ago to check on the progress and the insurance person told me that she was waiting on the dictation from my surgeon.

Since my insurance company requires me to have a Psychological Evaluation (even though my surgeon told me I dont need one) I went ahead and scheduled my own instead of waiting on the surgeon's office to do it for me. I have that appointment on Monday. Im hoping this will move me further down the line.

Im so anxious and its really bugging me that its taking so long to make any progress.

More updates soon.

Snow, Snow and more Snow

2009-12-25T23:19:00.002-06:00

My Christmas was filled with tons of snow. From the looks of it we will be stuck indoors for a while!

Find me on You Tube

2009-12-24T21:19:00.000-06:00

Ive decided to begin posting videos on you tube of my journey. Please forgive the first few, Ive been sick for about nine days:(

Look me up under klindshill.

Merry Christmas!

Update on consultation

2009-12-23T19:11:00.000-06:00

I had my first consultation appointment this afternoon. I visited with Dr. Glatt at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. I found Dr. Glatt and his staff to be friendly. We are expecting a blizzard over the next few days so they seemed a bit rushed as Im sure everyone was trying to get ready to leave work.

I went into the appt. thinking I would get the Lap Band. After discussing my needs and my likes and dislikes about both options I have opted for the Roux En Y. Dr. Glatt explained to me that I would virtually be cured from my Diabetes with the Roux En Y. I would also lose my weight faster. Although, Im not too keen on having my intestines re-routed my main reason for wanting weight loss surgery in the first place is to eliminate my Diabetes. My secondary reason (other than a healthier body/lifestyle) would be to assist my PCOS and give me a better shot at becoming pregnant. My husband is almost eleven years my senior and we would love to add to our family.

Another downside to the Roux En Y in my case is that Dr. Glatt wants me to be on birth control for twelve months. They dont recommend becoming pregnant until your weight stabilizes. Im a bit bummed by that, but I do understand it.

If all goes well with my insurance, Im hoping to have the procedure in February. I was told today that I have to attend a two hour class. Once I complete that I will update here.

Diabetes

2009-12-22T01:45:00.000-06:00

As I mentioned in my last post I am Diabetic. I take four insulin shots a day. I count carbs and dont drink any soda or caffiene. Despite all this my blood sugars are still not controlled. I often find my day to day activities are limited by my Diabetes. If my blood sugar is too high or too low my doctor doesnt want me to drive for fear Ill pass out or worse. So, Im often stuck at home when I need to be at class (Im working on my Bachelors) or somewhere else. This is one of my main reasons for researching the lap band. My Endocrinologist told me that the lap band is an excellent tool to help people with Diabetes eliminate the need for insulin or pills. In all of the research Ive done so far, this seems to be true. Ive got my fingers crossed!

PCOS is not your friend!

2009-12-22T01:40:00.000-06:00

I have been overweight most of my life. In middle school I weighed about 150 lbs. I bounced from 150-170 until I was about 22. In 2003 I got married and a few days later my husband was shipped off to Afghanistan.

I gained about 40 lbs. I went to the doctor who told me the weight gain was due to stress. I tried to remain active but, couldnt lose the weight. I tried diet pills, exercise, and diets. I would lose maybe 10 lbs and gain it back.

My husband finally returned home and we wanted to start a family. I had a lot of trouble getting pregnant. My cousin told me she had the same issues and suggested I research Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). You can read about that here PCOS. I followed her advice and determined that I probably did have it.

I went to see a new OBGYN who thought I was right. She attempted to treat me for it by giving me Metformin. I suffered from an upset stomach every day on that medication. My doctor insisted I continue to take it and the side effects would pass. I took it for three months and couldnt stand it anymore. I took myself off the medication and searched for a new doctor. I later discovered I was being given way more medicine than I should have been.

After seeing several OBGYNs I finally found one who was familiar enough with PCOS to treat me. He explained Clomid (a fertility drug) could be beneficial to someone like me. Of course, Id have to wait until my husband was home full time since he was deployed with the military yet again.

When my husband returned home on shore duty it was time to move again. We left our home in Texas and relocated to South Dakota. Once we got here I found a new OBGYN who is fabulous. She understands my needs and I feel very comfortable with her.

I took one round of Clomid so far and have put it on hold until I can lose some weight and get my blood sugars better controlled. ( Im Diabetic)

The weather sucks and Im still sick

2009-12-22T00:58:00.000-06:00

Ive been sick for about seven days now with what I think is a stomach virus. I was hospitalized earlier in the week but, after less than adequate care, I kicked and screamed to be discharged. Ive been home for a few days now and am feeling somewhat better. I do still have some symptoms especially after trying to eat. Im hoping it will clear up before my appt. with my surgeon on Wed.

Although, I have a house in Texas I am in South Dakota right now. My husband's job has us here for another year or so. The weather is always miserable from Sept-May. This is my least favorite place Ive lived so far. I find it very boring with limited activities. In the summer, there are a few nice parks to visit. My favorite one is Falls Park. Other than that there really isnt too much to do.

Research Phase

2009-12-20T22:38:00.000-06:00

December 20, 2009

Today is my sixth wedding anniversary. Im super excited because I feel like I am about to start on a new part of my life. On Wednesday, I have a consultation with a local surgeon. I am considering lap band surgery. At this point I have an authorization from my insurance company for the consultation but, not for the surgery. I gained approval based on the fact that I suffer from Diabetes. I also have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is not a factor in my insurance company's approval or denial of the surgery.

My next update will be after my consultation. As I learn how to use this site, I will post pictures and videos if I am able.

New to Blogging

2009-12-20T22:33:00.000-06:00

This is my first blog. I havent figured everything out yet. Hopefully, over the next few weeks I will get the hang of this. I hope to share my weight loss journey with others who are going through similar circumstances.