I've been around the block when it comes to deciding on a procedure and a doctor. When I first started this journey I thought I wanted the lapband. I went to see Dr. Nick at the Nicholson clinic and the same day had another appointment at True Results Richardson.

When I went to see Dr. Nick he went over all three procedures (lapband, sleeve and bypass). Because of my weight and because I live so far away (3 hours) he highly suggested the sleeve instead of the band.

When I left his office I wanted to be sleeved. Then I walked in to True Results and they proceeded to scare the heck out of me about the sleeve procedure and I decided to be banded again. I continued going to True Results for the past 2 months but just couldn't get over a funky feeling I was having about not being sleeved. I know there is war-stories with ANY procedure (I shouldn't say 'war stories' because I know that there is TRULY complications that can arise), but I somehow kept finding posts about people having terrible complications with their band and either having to have revision surgery, or being SO sick they couldn't have anything once the band was removed. THAT scared me. The straw that broke the camel's back was when I saw a post that said if you're considering the surgery center in Richardson, and then said the surgeons name, RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN. I felt as though that was the Lord speaking to me.

I called Dr. Nicholson's clinic and they were happy to take me back.

Now my question is, is he a good surgeon? I had read review after review on the lapband forum about what a top-of-the-line surgeon he is, but I'm having a hard time finding people on the sleeve forum who are saying the same things. I'm not finding anything BAD about him but I don't want 'good enough'. I want the BEST.

Opinions? Is there any where on this forum I can search for his name and find other patients that have used him???

Dr. Nicholson came highly recommended to me but I have never seen him - I work at the medical school and they are a center of excellence (please I a great rate through my insurance if I have it done here) looking at early May.

Dr. Nicholson came highly recommended to me but I have never seen him - I work at the medical school and they are a center of excellence (please I a great rate through my insurance if I have it done here) looking at early May.

That's great to hear that he's come highly reccomended! I really haven't heard ANYTHING negative about him...just wanted to put his name out there one more time in case anyone knew of any reason I should find a new doctor. That makes me feel GREAT that no one is speaking up!!! Who are you using as a surgeon?

Thank you for your response. Good luck with your procedure!!!

I am using Dr. Michael Lee - the surgery will be at St Paul Hospital - which is part of the medical school. He is fairly new to the Dallas area (and young) but comes with great credentials - and I have worked with doctors so long I have an intuitive sense about them. I really liked him - his totally down to earth and reasonable. His staff is really great too. A friend of mine was suppose to use Dr. Nicholson but ended up being transferred to Arkansas and had to the start the process over - but she loved him.

When are you looking at getting the procedure?

I'm currently in the process of fulfilling insurance requirements so we're looking at a timeline of around June'ish. I will get done with the requirements the early part of May then they said that insurance companies take between 2-3 weeks to send back approval should they approve. Once i have the approval they will look at his schedule and see what is available. I have a family reunion the second week of June in Illinios (about a 10-hour drive) so I think I will choose to do it when we return so I'm not on the road and away from my doctor if needed

I am trying hard to get early May because I have two children (6 and 5) and I want to be through the first 2-3 weeks post-op before they get out of school! I will never get recovery time if I am home after that. I have a twin sister and I told her I would have to move in with her for recovery if it is later than May! My husband got laid off so we opted for him to stay home during the summer to save the dollars on camp and day care.

I have a family wedding in July and am trying to navigate that too! I wish the doctors would just work on my time schedule instead of vice versa!

I've been around the block when it comes to deciding on a procedure and a doctor. When I first started this journey I thought I wanted the lapband. I went to see Dr. Nick at the Nicholson clinic and the same day had another appointment at True Results Richardson.

When I went to see Dr. Nick he went over all three procedures (lapband, sleeve and bypass). Because of my weight and because I live so far away (3 hours) he highly suggested the sleeve instead of the band.

When I left his office I wanted to be sleeved. Then I walked in to True Results and they proceeded to scare the heck out of me about the sleeve procedure and I decided to be banded again. I continued going to True Results for the past 2 months but just couldn't get over a funky feeling I was having about not being sleeved. I know there is war-stories with ANY procedure (I shouldn't say 'war stories' because I know that there is TRULY complications that can arise), but I somehow kept finding posts about people having terrible complications with their band and either having to have revision surgery, or being SO sick they couldn't have anything once the band was removed. THAT scared me. The straw that broke the camel's back was when I saw a post that said if you're considering the surgery center in Richardson, and then said the surgeons name, RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN. I felt as though that was the Lord speaking to me.

I called Dr. Nicholson's clinic and they were happy to take me back.

Now my question is, is he a good surgeon? I had read review after review on the lapband forum about what a top-of-the-line surgeon he is, but I'm having a hard time finding people on the sleeve forum who are saying the same things. I'm not finding anything BAD about him but I don't want 'good enough'. I want the BEST.

Opinions? Is there any where on this forum I can search for his name and find other patients that have used him???

I'm a Dr. Nick patient, scheduled for April 8th. I love Dr. Nick! He put my husband and I at ease. I started out as a patient of Dr. Barker's, but didn't like the assembly line feeling I got in his office, so off to Dr. Nick I went. His staff has been nothing short of amazing. I started the process on February 1st and could've had my surgery on March 4th, which meant that they moved the insurance process speedy quick. Any time that I have needed them, they've responded quickly via e-mail or telephone call. Like, they return calls back within 30 minutes. They're just great so far. I feel completely secure in my choice for him as my surgeon.

I'm so glad you asked about Dr. Nicholson as he is who I'm hoping will be my surgeon!!! I'm going to the May 21 seminar and I'm hoping we'll be a 'match'. I would be thrilled to read/learn more from his pre-op and post-op patients.

Thanks

~ Rebecca

I'm so glad you asked about Dr. Nicholson as he is who I'm hoping will be my surgeon!!! I'm going to the May 21 seminar and I'm hoping we'll be a 'match'. I would be thrilled to read/learn more from his pre-op and post-op patients.

Thanks

~ Rebecca

I was sleeved on April 8th. If you have any questions, just send me a private message. I'd be more than happy to share my experience with ya.

Dr. Nick is excellent. He sleeved me, my husband, and several coworkers. I work for an insurance company (not allowed to say the name, of course) and Dr. Nick has top ratings for quality. This takes into account outcomes such as complications, infections, etc, as well as patient satisfaction scores. I also had several xray techs and nurses tell me he was the best. I am not saying the other surgeons are not just as well qualified, but that he is very well liked and respected.

Dr. Nick is excellent. He sleeved me, my husband, and several coworkers. I work for an insurance company (not allowed to say the name, of course) and Dr. Nick has top ratings for quality. This takes into account outcomes such as complications, infections, etc, as well as patient satisfaction scores. I also had several xray techs and nurses tell me he was the best. I am not saying the other surgeons are not just as well qualified, but that he is very well liked and respected.

Thanks SO much for your message! I'm slated to be sleeved on the 30th of this month with him. So far I have absolutely NO complaints with him, he seems to truly care about his patients.

SO happy to hear and see that you're doing so well!!!

For what it is worth, I was sleeved by Dr. Nick on April 8th, and have done very well. No complications, no issues, hardly any pain. His staff has been wonderful. If you need anything, they promptly return messages, usually within an hour, much sooner if it is after hours. I'm officially 3 months out today and have lost over 54 lbs. I couldn't have chosen a better surgeon. Dr. Nick gave me my life back, and I'll be forever grateful to him for that.