So, I think I have finally decided to go with Dr. Nick Nicholson in Plano for my sleeve surgery. I have BCBS Federal insurance. My first appointment with Dr. Nicholson isn't until August 4th. Has anyone had surgery with Dr. Nick Nicholson and used BCBS Federal? The doctor's office told me over the phone that the surgery is covered; however, I want to hear first hand from people that have had the surgery. They told me there is a three month wait period. What all has to be done during those three months? If I have had doctors supervise other diets before, do I still have to have the doctor's supervision diet? What else has to be done with this insurance and doctor? Any information would be greatly appreciated!!

Have you called your insurance to find out what the requirements are yourself?

I have BCBS TRS, its a 6 month supervised diet. Like you I already had this from my PCP, but it only has to be 6 month within a 24 month period and doesn't have to be consecative.

So check with your insurance before you go. If you can have the 3 month diet within a certain amount of time and already have that with your PCP, then make sure you get the records and take with you when you go. That way you are halfway there. Then they can send in the info to your insurance and you will be on your way. Do what you can on your end, makes it go much faster.

Good Luck.

I used Dr. Nick, but used a different insurance. I know he was approved by Emprie BCBS and BCBS of New Jersey.

So, I think I have finally decided to go with Dr. Nick Nicholson in Plano for my sleeve surgery. I have BCBS Federal insurance. My first appointment with Dr. Nicholson isn't until August 4th. Has anyone had surgery with Dr. Nick Nicholson and used BCBS Federal? The doctor's office told me over the phone that the surgery is covered; however, I want to hear first hand from people that have had the surgery. They told me there is a three month wait period. What all has to be done during those three months? If I have had doctors supervise other diets before, do I still have to have the doctor's supervision diet? What else has to be done with this insurance and doctor? Any information would be greatly appreciated!!

Hello, I am using Dr. Nick also and I have BCBS Federal. I’ve had three visits with a nutritionist (recommended by Dr. Nick’s office). If you had a supervised diet by a physician or nutritionist within the past 12 months, this should meet the 3 month requirement. Dr. Nick’s office will assign you to a patient coordinator, and you can let the coordinator know you would like to submit your previous supervised diet along with the other requirements to submit to the insurance company for approval. However, I would still schedule the NUT visits while you wait. That way if it is denied due to the “supervised diet requirement” you will already have a least one visit down, in the process of completing that requirement.

Once I met all requirements it took less than 2 weeks for approval from BCBS. I was approved on 7/28/11. I will meet with Dr. Nick later this month to schedule my surgery date.

Hello, I am using Dr. Nick also and I have BCBS Federal. I’ve had three visits with a nutritionist (recommended by Dr. Nick’s office). If you had a supervised diet by a physician or nutritionist within the past 12 months, this should meet the 3 month requirement. Dr. Nick’s office will assign you to a patient coordinator, and you can let the coordinator know you would like to submit your previous supervised diet along with the other requirements to submit to the insurance company for approval. However, I would still schedule the NUT visits while you wait. That way if it is denied due to the “supervised diet requirement” you will already have a least one visit down, in the process of completing that requirement.

Once I met all requirements it took less than 2 weeks for approval from BCBS. I was approved on 7/28/11. I will meet with Dr. Nick later this month to schedule my surgery date.

Thanks for the info! I have my initial consult with Dr. Nick on August 4th. I have been going to my PCP for a supervised diet since May 3rd. My last appointment with him is August 11th. I have my nut and psych evaluation scheduled for August 10th. So, I guess after they get all my letters from the nut, psych, and PCP I can send everything off to BCBS. What other records did you send? I have records from about five years ago when I took phentermine for a few months. I also have weight watchers online receipts I could provide from earlier this year. Do you think that will help? Also, I live in Oklahoma. I was wondering if I could go ahead and schedule the surgery and do everything I need to do at the initial consult so I don't have to miss work and drive back down. Do you think that is possible? Let me know how your meeting goes with Dr. Nick. Maybe we can have the surgery around the same time! Good luck!

I have federal BCBS and I also had surgery with Dr. Nick. The requirement was to have 3 months of supervised diet program and the insurance coordinator sent in my info showing that I was on adipex for 4 months last year and all my medical records from the last 3 years or so and I was approved within 2 weeks. I had my psych eval and saw the NUT within that time frame and I never really had a 3 month supervised diet and I was still approved. I started all this February 28, I was approved by March 14th and I had surgery on April 4th. Hope this helps.

Thanks so much for the replies. They have really helped calm my nerves.