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DYER, Indiana - Jennifer Kimble, from Crown Point, faced weight challenges throughout her life. Despite undergoing lap band surgery in 2012, she regained weight after childbirth. At her heaviest, she weighed 268 pounds and suffered from pre-diabetes and high blood pressure.
Kimble sought a consultation with Dr. Gerard Cahill, a bariatric surgeon with the Franciscan Physician Network, in 2018. Dr. Cahill recommended removing her lap band and performing gastric bypass surgery. "It was the best decision I could have made," Kimble stated, describing the experience as "life changing."
Kimble succeeded in losing 110 pounds through the Franciscan Midwest Bariatric Institute's comprehensive program, which included nutritional guidance and support group participation. She now speaks at these meetings. "It's important for me to keep going and be involved," she expressed, seeing it as part of her journey.
When Kimble struggled with some weight regain, Dr. Cahill prescribed medication to aid her weight loss efforts. Kimble appreciated the supportive environment, saying, "Before I went to Dr. Cahill, I felt like I was in an assembly line. Here it's different. It's like a family."
Dr. Cahill emphasized the significance of a multi-faceted approach to weight loss. "The operation resets the clock and will put you down 100 pounds, but durability is different," he explained. He advocates for combining surgery with support meetings and medication as necessary.
Inspired by her interactions with fitness coaches, Kimble transitioned into the role herself and eventually opened Barbells Fitness Studio in Merrillville in 2024. "It made me so happy," Kimble noted, highlighting the joy she found in assisting others.
Rebecca Kray, a bariatric nurse practitioner, praised Kimble's perseverance. “She has had setbacks during her weight loss journey, as many do, but she has always remained focused and positive," Kray said, acknowledging Kimble's willingness to motivate others.
For those considering bariatric surgery, Kimble advises scheduling a consultation with Dr. Cahill and his team, emphasizing the potential benefits of overcoming fear.
For more information on bariatric surgery or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cahill at Franciscan Midwest Bariatric Institute Dyer, call 219-852-2518. He also offers consultations at the Franciscan Health Center for Bariatric Surgery in Olympia Fields, contactable at 708-679-2518.
