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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!!
Click here for the surgery support page
Carmen's Musings
Use caution when proceeding ;-)


How Time Flies-April 6th, 2004
on April 6, 2004 12:00 am
April 6th, 2004 Weight 251 -147 pre op, -109 surgery day

Hiya friends! I am doing well. I can't believe next late next month will be my year anniversary. How time flies! I cannot wait to be under 250. I can't remember the last time I weighed under 250. My sis is now under 200. She weighs like 184 or so. This is down from her pre op weight of 301. I am getting so impatient to get down further. I know the window will close soon. I have been trying so hard. Doing everything stringently like I didn't do the first 3 or 4 months. Those months I really tested what I could eat like I was "cheating" on my new pouch. Instead of working it. Now since at least my 5th month I have worked very hard to get to my goal which is still a long way away. I have exciting news in my clothes. Before surgery the only jeans I could wear were the biggest size stretch jeans in the Lane Bryant catalog. Even 2 months out of surgery I could only fit into size 34 jeans. I went to WalMart the other day and bought a size 24 stretch jeans and they FIT. I had orginally bought a size 26 took them home thinking they would be too small and they were way too BIG. Wowzer!! My mind has definately not caught up with my new body. I still see in the mirror the HUGE person I was before. I do have a lot of hanging skin. I have bad batwings, back flab, a hanging panni, and my thighs look like a shar-pei puppy. But, I am so much happier now. I just want to grab every MO person I see in the store or wherever and tell them about my journey. In my last journal entry I said I wanted to help someone by my journey. I don't really know how to do that, but I've seen other profiles where just basic information was helpful to me. So, just for me I'll tell what a usual daily diet is for me at 10 months out.

Breakfast: 6oz. Blue Bunny Lite 85 yogurt
couple tsp of grapenuts for crunch and fiber

Morning Snack: 11fl oz Protein shake

Lunch: 3 oz of pressed meat
2 oz cheese

Afternoon snack: 20 mixed nuts

Dinner: 3 oz meat
1/4 c. veggies or salad

Snack: Protein bar or SF pudding or ice
cream sandwich

I usually drink 86 to 100 oz of water and Crystal Light daily. I take 2 multi vitamins and 2 calcium citrate pills. The totals for this menu are Calories 1148, Fat 59, Carbs 51, and Protein 105. This is just kind of an average day. I sometimes get less calories and less carbs. My nutrionist said that she would like to see about 20 grams of carbs per meal with 3 meals a day. So, usually if I keep my carbs under 60 a day I'm happy. But, sometimes I keep them even lower. I also work out everyday. I will walk between 2 and 5 miles a day. Along with 15 minutes (working my way up) on my elipitcal, 15 minutes of weight training and 15 minutes of abdominals. Sometimes I mis the routine up with Walk away the pounds tapes and pilates. I hope this may help someone to see what someone eats at 10 months out. Sometimes I can't eat 6 times a day either. I'll only eat 4 times. It just depends. I stay away from sugar for the most part. I have found from experience that I don't dump. But, I haven't pushed that point in many months. I didn't have this surgery to go back to making love to blizzards. NOT! Well, gotta go. OH YEAH, I forgot! One of the volunteers on this site named Chelle is putting some pics up on my site. They are a bunch of before and after pics. I hope that someone draws inspiration from them. I'm also working on putting a weight chart on my profile and a measuremnt chart. I didn't measure diligently from the beginning but I have been measuring for a couple months and it is pretty amazing. I am also really excited because I am an angel to a lovely lady named Heather Phillips. She goes in for surgery on April 12th. I am so excited to be her angel and I will be visiting her on the 13th when I go to my support group meeting. She is going to do fabulous and I can't wait to see her. Thanks for listening!




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