I'm going to be self pay with Dr Nicholson interested in the experiences of those who have used him!!! Than you!

I used Dr. Nick. I was not self pay but I can tell you he and his staff are awesome. I have nothing negative to say!

Thank you sorry somehow I've created this thread in the man room lol I'm trying to figure out how to move it yep I'm a newby!!

I used him!!!! Amazing 85 lbs down since March!

I haven't had the procedure yet, but he is one of the ones I am looking at. I am self pay also.

They sound like they really take care of their traveling patients and that everything is included in the cost, no surprises. He is a top rated Dr, and I am sure does a top notch job.

However, I just got off the phone asking them some questions and the positive sale pitch and not really answering questions is getting annoying.

One question was; does the surgeon cover complications from surgery? I was told they don't happen so no need to worry. I mention that they can happen, how will that be handled and was told the Dr would probably take care it but since it never happens she doesn't know. I end up in the ICU for a week who covers that bill, leaving a 6 figure invoice up in the air doesnt give me the warm and fuzzies???

Since a complication (for a self pay, whose insurance excludes WLS) could potentially bankrupt me, its important to know. A yes its covered providing this that, etc.......or a no sorry, would at least be an answer.

He is not the only office to not really answer tough questions, just the most recent. Seems like when you call they are helpful and nice, but they are just salespeople (or at least act like it). I don't need that; I want to buy, I just want to know the details first.

Ok, I am done venting.

I will say that I never hear anything negative about Dr. Nick, that is reassuring. Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.

I haven't had the procedure yet, but he is one of the ones I am looking at. I am self pay also. They sound like they really take care of their traveling patients and that everything is included in the cost, no surprises. He is a top rated Dr, and I am sure does a top notch job. However, I just got off the phone asking them some questions and the positive sale pitch and not really answering questions is getting annoying. One question was; does the surgeon cover complications from surgery? I was told they don't happen so no need to worry. I mention that they can happen, how will that be handled and was told the Dr would <em>probably </em>take care it but since it never happens she doesn't know. I end up in the ICU for a week who covers that bill, leaving a 6 figure invoice up in the air doesnt give me the warm and fuzzies??? Since a complication (for a self pay, whose insurance excludes WLS) could potentially bankrupt me, its important to know. A yes its covered providing this that, etc.......or a no sorry, would at least be an answer. He is not the only office to not really answer tough questions, just the most recent. Seems like when you call they are helpful and nice, but they are just salespeople (or at least act like it). I don't need that; I want to buy, I just want to know the details first. Ok, I am done venting. I will say that I never hear anything negative about Dr. Nick, that is reassuring. Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.

Complications don't happen with dr nick? That's bullshit. My brother-in-law went to him and got the band. It wasn't placed correctly. It wasn't that it slipped, it wasn't placed correctly the first time Bc his barium swallow showed that. He couldn't get anything down but a trickle. So they emptied his band but wanted to charge him to fix it. (He is self-pay). They are the ones who screwed up and wanted to charge him. Now he's getting a revision to the sleeve after fighting them for over 6 months. Unfortunately, he has to use them for the revision or he'll have to come up with several thousand dollars to do self-pay again with a different surgeon. Every surgeon can have complications.

April

Really, every surgeon has some level of complications. Just know that going in and look for one that had done thousands of procedures (like I believe Dr. Nick has) and someone that you like.

Dr Nick is like the McDonalds of Texas because yes he's done that many..

He has almost a cult like following...

But...

If any doctors office told me not to worry about complications because they don't happen?

I would run, and run as quickly as my big butt world take me to a place that answered my questions instead of patronizing, placating

niceties..

I have no had any issues getting my questions or concerns addressed. I'm 17 days from surgery I will let y'all know how it goes.

I have not had any issues getting my questions or concerns addressed. I'm 17 days from surgery I will let y'all know how it goes.

Dr Nick is like the McDonalds of Texas because yes he's done that many..

He has almost a cult like following...

But...

If any doctors office told me not to worry about complications because they don't happen?

I would run, and run as quickly as my big butt world take me to a place that answered my questions instead of patronizing, placating

niceties..

That is what Dr. Nicks office staff said.

I agree no one is prefect, but thats not what they think. In fact, Dr. David Kims office told me the same thing. No complications, and no need for complication based insurance because it doesnt happen. In fact Dr. Nicks office laughed and asked why I would go to a surgeon who offered Blis coverage since that must mean they have lots of issues. (I asked if they offered Blis).

So frustrating finding the right surgeon!

Like I said I think they are just more sales oriented than fact based when answering questions. I haven't talked to either surgeon, but that is what the office help said.

The two I mention are the probably do the most in the DFW area like Laura mentioned.

That is what Dr. Nicks office staff said. I agree no one is prefect, but thats not what they think. In fact, Dr. David Kims office told me the same thing. No complications, and no need for complication based insurance because it doesnt happen. In fact Dr. Nicks office laughed and asked why I would go to a surgeon who offered Blis coverage since that must mean they have lots of issues. (I asked if they offered Blis). So frustrating finding the right surgeon! Like I said I think they are just more sales oriented than fact based when answering questions. I haven't talked to either surgeon, but that is what the office help said. The two I mention are the probably do the most in the DFW area like Laura mentioned.

If they're so confident then they should tell their patients that they'll handle any complications and make it a guarantee. They won't. Especially if you're self-pay like my brother-in-law.

My surgeon was Dr. Kuhn, who came highly recommended from a few doctors and friends. I wanted someone who would answer all my questions and not have billboards and ads all over town. He fit both of them and every time is met with him he was extremely patient. He also had done over 4500 of them. Also had to wait 6 weeks to meet him which made me think he wasn't running a slice and dice factory. I'm six weeks post op, have seen him 4 times now since February and couldn't be happier with my decision.

Of course, I'm sure there are plenty of folks who don't like him. No one bats 1.000. Go with someone you like and feel comfortable with. DFW area has what seems like 1,000 bariatric surgeons.

Dr Nick is like the McDonalds of Texas because yes he's done that many..

He has almost a cult like following...

But...

If any doctors office told me not to worry about complications because they don't happen?

I would run, and run as quickly as my big butt world take me to a place that answered my questions instead of patronizing, placating

niceties..

I was considering traveling to Dallas to use Dr. Nick to save about 6K as a self pay. I was very put off by two things - one - I asked the same question and got the same answer, then I a,so found out he can do up to 13-15 surgeries in a day. That put me off. I know lots of folks used him and have been very happy with him. I just couldn't get over those two things.

My surgeon was Dr. Kuhn, who came highly recommended from a few doctors and friends. I wanted someone who would answer all my questions and not have billboards and ads all over town. He fit both of them and every time is met with him he was extremely patient. He also had done over 4500 of them. Also had to wait 6 weeks to meet him which made me think he wasn't running a slice and dice factory. I'm six weeks post op, have seen him 4 times now since February and couldn't be happier with my decision.

Of course, I'm sure there are plenty of folks who don't like him. No one bats 1.000. Go with someone you like and feel comfortable with. DFW area has what seems like 1,000 bariatric surgeons.

That makes a lot of sense.

I believe that a surgeon who does lots of surgeries makes them proficient. But there needs to be a balance.

And yes DFW has tons of surgeons and I believe some of the best are there. Makes for a tough decision with so many options.

I just wanted to say that I'm not anti-Dr. Nick. I know someone who had his sleeve performed by him and would recommend him in a heartbeat. He's a few pounds from goal and is doing great. What rankled me is saying he didn't have ANY complications, which is a bold-faced lie.

April