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Surgeon Testimonial

Charles Bollman, M.D.
*Note Dr. Bollman and Dr. Stevens did the surgery together. Dr. Stevens was my primary surgeon for aftercare.*rnrn Dr. Stevens is small in stature. Not intimidating. Dr. Stevens was very up front about the risks of the surgery and that this has to be a life style change. Also stressing that this shouldn't be a decision that one should consider lightly.The two doctors (Dr. Charles Bollman and Dr. Scott Stevens) that do this surgery at Geary County Community Hospital in Junction City KS; are truly dedicated to making the morbid obese person's life longer and more productive. These two doctors were doing this long before others jumped on the money making band wagon. They both show the precise amount of knowledge, care and compassion to make every patient feel like their only patient. I would rate these doctors 20 on a scale of 1-10. I would not intrust my life in the hands of any other doctor('s) for this procedure. I also have to note that Eileen (Dr. Boleman's nurse) and Karla (Dr. Steven's nurse) are awesome as well. I call Karla my angel, she is the earthiest, kindest, most soft spoken, gentlest, giving, beautiful, loving spirit I have ever known. There is nothing she would not do for her patients. I am confident that all will go well with my surgery, because I could not, in my opinion; be in better care anywhere else with anyone else. I know we aren't suppose to rate excellent on everything. But honestly I cannot think of anything negative to say about the doctors or their staff.rnrnrn**This is my insurance info**rnrnAetna, PPOrnI actually changed insurance from Coventry Health (HMO) to Aetna PPO in January 2003. Coventry would not pay for this surgery, they deem it \"cosmetic surgery\". It is amazing to me how many insurance companies are so ignorant still of the plight of the morbidly obese. Or maybe they just don't care. Probably they just don't care. Well, I switched to Aetna PPO as soon as possible, which was the beginning of the year, because they do pay for this surgery. I had a co worker that had the surgery in 2000 and she had Aetna PPO. So, I knew I would be okay with this insurance. I couldn't believe they turned me down on my first application. They had a new clause in the plan. Not only did you have to be 100 pounds overweight and have a doctor deem this medically neccesary; but you have to within the previous 2 years have 6 months of doctor supervised weight loss and excercise program. So, even though I had been fighting my weight my entire life, and had tried every diet and excercise program under the sun. I still had not had what they wanted. So, they denied me. Well, long story short. I got them on appeal with a technicality. Since I switched insurance at the beginning of the year there was a delay getting authorized for surgery. This new clause went into effect January 17th, so on appeal we contested that I had tried to get authorization prior to the new clause. I guess they felt that was the case because shortly after my appeal I got approval. So, for anyone else that has Aetna PPO bottom line is YOU MUST BE 100 POUNDS OVERWEIGHT, HAVE A DOCTOR DEEM SURGERY A MEDICAL NECCESSITY, AND HAVE 6 MONTHS OF DOCTOR OVERSEEN DIET AND EXCERCISE IN THE PREVIOUS 2 YEARS BEFORE SUBMITTING FOR SURGERY. Hope this helps someone else. Actually, I am glad that in the end they are paying.~ rn
Member Interests
  • Books & Literature - I love reading! I like just about any kind of books (except sports..lol).
  • Computers & Internet - I'm on the computer a lot, but I'm not very literate. I'm learning constantly.
  • Travel - I haven't traveled much in the past. But that's going to change!! :-D
  • Theater - I love our community theater and try to catch every show with my sis.
  • Meeting People - I always enjoy meeting new people with common interests.
  • Parenting - I have two boys 7 & 9 and I can always use parental feedback raising them.
  • Walking - I try to walk as much as I can. It's a great feeling to be able to walk again.
  • Spanish - My family is from Spain, so I'm trying to learn the language.
  • BMI over 50 - Mine was much higher before WLS, would like to meet others with the same.
  • WLS Grads - I am now 3 1/2 years out and it's a struggle. I like the commraderie of grads.

Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by anastacha63 on 1/7/07 12:40 am
    05/28/2005 03:16 PM HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, Carmen! Here's hoping life is all you want it to be! Sure do miss you! Hugs, Toots — Dame Tooter - OH Staff 06/26/2003 11:04 AM Hi carmen, I don't think we have actually taked to each other at the meetings. I know you are one of the twins though - that is so cool that the two of you had it done. I have been at all the meetings except one since January. I was the girl who sat in the corner by the door next to the lady in the wheelchair. I was less than 1 week post-op at the June meeting. I will be 5 weeks post-op by the next July meeting. I was definitely glad to gt my GT out. It was so annoying. I had some trouble with mine leaking a little around the site. Anyway - I am feeling much better. Wakling again, swimming, and driving - yeah! I promise to come over and introduce myself at the next meeting OK. You can e-mail me if you want to. Talk to you soon. — Julie Shrank 05/31/2003 06:09 PM Congrats on making it to the losing side and I hope you have a speey and painless recovery. — Justin From the Ham 05/29/2003 01:13 PM Carmen...I'm thinkin' of you sweetie!!!!! Keep pushin' that button and get up and walk!!!! BIG, BIG HUGS!! — Deanna K 05/27/2003 11:16 AM In all things Remember,that the one above loves you,that He holds us all in his loving arms,He knows each of us by name.He said anything you ask for in "my name" will be given to you.So in His name I pray for you,that you be given strength, endurance,love,peace and most of all long life.In Jesus' name. When you wake up and see the faces of your loved ones in the recovery room,know that you have made it.Thank Him,Know that you have been blessed to see and to live out the rest of your days with the ones you love and the ones who love you.....Knowing that He loves you too. Happy soon to be ReBirthday. — Tracy W 05/27/2003 05:26 AM My prayers will be with you as you go through the surgery and recovery. May your strength be restored; your recovery be swift and your tender heart be renewed. — Melissa Smith 05/23/2003 08:22 PM Carmen - Best wishes for an uneventful surgery and a speedy recovery. May God hold you and your surgery team in his precious hands. — Debbie Beatty 05/17/2003 10:10 AM Carmen... CONGRATS on having a date and all that good stuff... You and I are starting out at pretty much the same weight or same ballpark anyway & my date is for 6/18!! Godspeed to your new losing side and may He keep you in His hands & take care of you as I'm praying He take care of me as well!! :-) — Amy G 05/14/2003 07:59 AM Many prayers and thoughts are being sent to you for a safe and uneventful journey. 7/10/02OPEN RNY — Ms. Rhonda 05/11/2003 07:27 AM May god bless and keep you though this journey.. His peace and love strengthen you.. keep looking up when all you want to do is hide.. his grace is sufficient for the day....His word says he will never leave you nor forsake you... Hugs — Donna Angel 05/11/2003 06:28 AM Carmen - My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and friends as you journey to the loosing side. Mommamere — Virginia Hanson 05/10/2003 10:21 PM Hello everyone sisters and brothers suffering from obesity. I am doing well. I can't believe it is only 18 days until I am on the losing side. I can't wait to be a loser. lol. I had my pre-op tests done on May 5th. All went well. At least I haven't heard to the contrary. My edg was a breeze. Really you guys anyone who has to go through pre-op and have these tests ran, it truly isn't that bad. The nursing staff and everyone is so comforting and takes such good care of you. And, nothing is bad. I was actually quite relaxed. My weight has been going down, down, down,..yeah! At my consult on April 1st. I weighed in at 381, now actually this was down from 398 at the beginning of the year. Well, Dr. Stevens said he would like to see me lose another 30 pounds prior to surgery. I told him "I can do that." Well, on pre-op day my weight was 366, so in 21 days that was 15 pounds down. And, I just keep going. So, I feel just great going in. I've been keeping active since my consult knowing this will only help me afterward. Also, I cut all the sugar out of my diet for lent. Now, I just didn't pick it back up, since I can't have it after surgery anyway. So, I realize this is helping me melt the pounds away. Before I was just a sugar addict. Well, I will keep things updated as they go. Hope everyone stays well. Keep your heads up. And, thanks to all who have posted very nice messages for me, that touches me deeply.~ — Anastacha 05/08/2003 03:37 AM Best wishes and extra prayers for smooth surgery and recovery. A positive mental attitude is your best preparation! You'll do great with this life-saving tool! — Karen Newlife 05/07/2003 03:25 AM Carmen, from another Kansan and fellow Liv-Lite patient, good luck to you on your upcoming surgery! You will be in great hands! Speedy days as your day draws nearer! :-) HUGS!!! — Click Part 2 04/29/2003 10:57 AM Hello Carmen~~“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” William Jennings Bryan. I am wishing you all the best for the next chapter of the rest of your life. Take care, Becca...AGB 9/16/02 -107 — Becca K 04/29/2003 10:19 AM Hi there, CONGRATULATIONS, you are on your way now to the losing side. Best wishes to you on your wls. I'm praying for your speedy recovery and you having NO complications what so ever. Hang in there and remember everyday is a blessing. ~~Huggybear hugs~~ — Naes Wls Journey 04/29/2003 12:19 AM HI CARMEN I just want you to know that I am praying that everything will go smooth as you journey to the losing side. LORD BLESS — Momma Angel
  • Comment by anastacha63 on 1/1/07 10:35 am
    Bear with me everyone! I'm trying to get all my info transferred here to my new profile..love youse all!!
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Carmen's Musings
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7 Weeks Out and Feeling Good-July 15th, 2003
on July 15, 2003 12:00 am
July 15th, 2003....Weight 334
Hello everyone. I am doing fine. I had my 6 wk check up a week ago today. My weight was 334. That is down 20 pounds since my 2 week check up. Dr. Stevens said he would like to see me lose a 100 pounds my first 6 months. He thinks this is reasonable for me and the weight I started at. So, I guess that means by the end of the year that should be my goal. I think I can do it, as it is so far my weight loss has been averaging 5 pounds a week. Sometimes, I wonder if I'm eating too much though. I haven't thrown up ever, nor have I ever felt really full and miserable, haven't dumped either..not pushing that one for sure! But, I can sit down with like a tv dinner and first eat the meat for the protein and then almost finish the potatoes and the vegtable. I guess they aren't very big anymore. Not like when we were kids..lol. My sister and I will be celebrating our 40th birthday in 11 days. I'm excited. This will be a great birthday for the two of us. It's like every other birthday I think I need to lose weight before another birthday passes. And, I never did in the past. This year there really is eternal hope on the horizon. I can't wait to have some new photos taken of my sis and I. We both got our hair cut off recently. She had 13inches cut off and I had 10inches cut off. We really look identical now. It's fun. Another thing I have to voice which is really profound to me is that all my life I have yo-yo'd with my weight so I have a closet full of different size clothes. I never gave away stuff that got too big. I guess subconsiously I knew I may need them again someday. Well, recently I got rid of a bunch of clothes that are too big on me now. That was such a freeing, awesome feeling. For the first time in my life knowing that I will never, ever again wear those sizes. What a feeling! I hope someday that each of you can know what that feeling is like. God Bless all my brothers and sisters! Toodles~ 
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A New Meaning to Independance Day-July 5th, 2003
on July 5, 2003 12:00 am
July 5th, 2003....
Hi Everyone, it's been a long time since my last update. Not a lot going on. I haven't weighed so I don't know how much I've lost. I go to the doctor July 8th for my 6wk check up. I'll weigh in then and see how much I've lost. My clothes are feeling looser. And today I went to see a movie at the movie theater and fit in the seat. Damn, that felt good. It has been way too long since I've fit into those seats. I have been kinda depressed though. I don't really know why. It's just something I haven't been able to kick recently. I was walking through the mall today after the matinee and these guys started laughing when I walked by. I got really mad and said some things I wouldn't normally say to them. I was so disappointed in myself for letting their ignorance get to me. But, I guess right now I'm fragile. I had an epiphany why I'm fragile after that happened. It's because after everything I've been through with WLS and recovery; mentally I feel like I weigh 125 pounds. I have more energy and just feel better. And, then something like that happens and it reminds me that I'm still super morbidly obese. That just brings my chin down. And, I shouldn't even be griping. I know there are many people out there that are fighting for their lives right now with the insurance companies. So, I need to just get over it and be patient. Okay, I'm going to close for now. I'll say an extra prayer tonight for all my WLS friends.~

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