HeatherL

I realize this is an old thread but thought I would throw my two cents in for future patients. I did partial self pay with Dr. Nick. He repaired a hiatal hernia along with the sleeve and only billed my insurance for the hernia and I just had to pay the hospital a portion of the self pay part. It only cost me $4k instead of $12k. I have always been super impressed with him and like someone mentioned he is very honest about his complications and will tell you exactly what happened with each patient. I felt very comfortable and confident with him. I am now 6 months out and couldn't be happier.

I used dr Nicholson and loved him and his staff. I was self pay but since I had a hiatal hernia he accepted the payment from insurance for the hernia and didn't charge me extra for the sleeve. I only had to pay the hospital $4k. So I was technically self pay and only paid $4k out of pocket. That hernia saved me $8k and he said that 98% of people have a hiatal hernia. Worth looking into in my opinion.

I am 6 weeks post op today and just finished with weeks 4-6 of soft foods. I never pureed anything. My daily meals have been like this: breakfast- 1 scrambled egg with laughing cow queso/chipotle wedge and 1 tbsp. of ground turkey sausage; lunch - whole foods chicken salad (yummm) just chewed really well, tuna with light mayo, deli turkey wrapped around string cheese and warmed in the microwave; dinner - same as lunch...I've had chipotle a couple of times and just get a bowl without rice and eat on it for a few meals.... I also snack on greek yogurt, cottage cheese. I had ground beef last week with no problems. I think Thanksgiving would be super easy at that stage. Little bit of turkey cut up real well and mashed potatoes. I wish I thought of food differently than before surgery. I think I have an iron sleeve because nothing has upset my stomach so far (knock on wood).

How did they discover your blood clot in your arm? What were your symptoms?

I'm 5 days post op! Yay! I ended up having surgery at Victory. I had a great experience except for one of the nurses I didn't care for but luckily I was being discharged so I didn't have her for too long. How long for that dang left stitch to pop? It's the only thing hurting now.

I did have to pay the $4k all at once when I checked into hospital for surgery but I used Care Credit for it and financing over 2 years. He told me 95% of people have hernias but most don't know about it. He just has to do an egd to tell if you have a hernia.

I had a drain that was removed before I left the hospital. The nurse just put gauze and tape over the hole where it came out and told me I could take the bandages off in 48 hours. So I took it off tonight and it's just a hole. It hasn't closed. Nothing is coming out and it looks clean and not infected. Is this normal? I put fresh gauze and band aids over it but not sure if this is normal.

I'm tomorrow as well. I check in at 8.

I really like him. You can go to his seminar for free and then you can meet him. Good luck!! I know you won't be disappointed with him!!

He ordered it. I think the doctor that did it is Dr Rochet. He works with dr Nicholson. I went to dr nicks seminar and then scheduled a one on one consult and he ordered it from that appt. the whole process was very quick. I went to seminar on July 9th, had appt the next week, EGD on July 24th, follow up with dr nick on Aug 8th and surgery Aug 20th.

I'm aug 20th too. Very nervous and excited!

They used propofol when I had my egd. He was taking it on a regular basis to sleep which is dangerous.

I'm having surgery on the 20th. Very nervous and excited!!! Pre op was hard first few days but it has gotten so much easier!

I have occasional reflux/heartburn. I had an endoscopy/EGD ....where they put a camera into your stomach. That showed them I had the hiatal hernia. He said most people have them. Nick Nicholson with Nicholson Clinic. He's very down to earth and I have only heard good things about him. I'm getting my sleeve on Tuesday!

I'm sorry! I'm having a hiatal hernia repaired at the same time and my surgeon is not charging me extra for the sleeve. He is accepting what bcbs is paying for hernia repair and calling it good. I'm paying the hospital $4k extra. I had to have an egd to check for the hernia and I had one but 95% of people do have one even if no symptoms. So it's something to look into. This hernia saved me $8k!! It's worth asking your surgeon about it. I'm seeing dr Nicholson in Plano and he's been awesome regarding insurance even though I have an exclusion for wls. Good luck!

My surgery got pushed to Tuesday but I can't believe that it's next week. Very surreal right now. I can't remember if y'all mentioned dr nick does his test in or and you don't have to wait until the next day to sip something. Is that true?

Cool! Who is your surgeon? When is your surgery? I'm having mine at Victory Medical Center in Plano.

August 20th, Dr Nicholson in Plano.

I just filled my rx for nascobal at Target pharmacy and used the $25 copay card my doctor gave me. And it worked...I only paid $25 for a month supply. I haven't tried it yet though so I'm not sure how it affects me.

That's great! It sounds like it will be covered!

I have bcbs tx and wls is excluded from my policy. It can be different from employer to employer since it's something your company can choose to include or exclude. Your best bet is to call bcbs and ask for your specific policy.