Healthy Tidbits

With You All The Way


Weight Loss Success — It’s a Team Effort

Aug 17, 2021

At Nicholson Clinic we know that surgery is only part of the weight loss equation. That’s why we’ve created a team of experts to help our patients from their initial inquiry, to surgery, and beyond for life. We have the largest bariatric staff in DFW and really are with you all the way! We believe wholeheartedly that you should not be alone on your journey to lose weight and get healthy.

When a patient first calls in, we have helpful office staff to direct your call, answer any questions you have about the process, schedule your initial consultation and/or direct you to our insurance advocates to check your insurance for free!

Insurance Specialists / Insurance Coordinators — A lot of people want to know if their insurance covers weight loss surgery. While most major insurance carriers have bariatric coverage and will cover weight loss surgery, if it is considered medically necessary and the patient meets the set criteria, we need to find out whether your specific policy covers it. That’s where our insurance team comes in! Given that insurance coverage can be tricky business, we have insurance specialists who will collect patient’s insurance information and verify coverage on their behalf. Patients can call in or go online and fill out the check my insurance form on our website. Once our insurance team finds out your specific information, they will contact you to discuss coverage. Since there are several steps in this process if a patient qualifies, we have Insurance Coordinators who help you obtain all the verification requirements needed so you receive the maximum benefits and pay the minimum amount. Some insurance plans often require dietitian and psychologist appointments, sleep studies, lab work, clearances, etc. Our Insurance Coordinators will guide you through this process and submit the letter of recommendation to your insurance company to get approval for the procedure.

Patient Care Advocates — (PCAs) are your 1:1 concierges to help you through the entire process leading up to surgery. Your PCA will be assigned after your consultation with the surgeon. They help make sure your pre-op needs are met, and will serve as your primary point of contact with the Nicholson Clinic. Since there can be several steps leading up to surgery, especially if using bariatric insurance coverage, your PCA team is here to help you navigate the journey to surgery. We also require our patients to complete a 2-week pre-op diet to help prepare you for a safe, effective surgery. Our Patient Care Advocates strive to help you through each and every step – their primary goal is to ensure you have the best possible pre-surgical experience. All of our PCAs are also Certified Medical Assistants.

Patient Educators — Nicholson Clinic also has patient educators on staff. They are Certified Medical Assistants who offer pre-op and post-op nutrition advice, medical support and guidance. They are available via email or phone during business hours, Monday to Friday, and also participate in the Nicholson Clinic Patient Support Group on Facebook to offer encouragement and support and answer patient questions. Each month they host Facebook Live events on various topics helpful to weight loss surgery patients. Whether you are just going through the process now or are years out, our Patient Educators are a wonderful resource to our patients for life!

The office support staff, billing team, and practice management are here to help you understand and navigate the process, and of course we have one of the most experienced medical teams in the country, which is what we are most known for!


Left to Right: Samantha Lumbereraz, MA, Patient Care Advocate; Amber Delgado, MA, Spanish Speaking Patient Care Advocate; Jordan Mitchell, MA, Patient Care Advocate; Renader Myles, MA, Patient Educator, Prescriptions, FMLA; Mariam Guyed, MA, Patient Educator, Prescriptions, FMLA

Medical Team — We take a team approach to weight loss and have a full staff of surgeons, physician assistants and experienced clinicians to help patients reverse obesity. Dr. Nicholson opened the Nicholson Clinic for Weight Loss Surgery in North Texas more than 20 years ago. Today, the Nicholson Clinic is the country’s premier destination for weight loss and has helped more than 25,000 patients, coming from all 50 states and 11 countries.


Left to Right: Emma Cummins, PA-C, Physician Assistant; Adam Brown, PA-C, Physician Assistant; Rick Fisher, PA, Physician Assistant; Thomas Roshek, MD, Bariatric Surgeon; Brian Long, MD, Bariatric Surgeon; Nick Nicholson, MD, Bariatric Surgeon.

Dedicated to helping patients transform their lives, the Nicholson Clinic offers the latest in weight loss using emerging technology, including robotic bariatric surgery. Procedures include gastric balloon, gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, Lap-Band, and revisional surgeries. Patients see a reversal not only of obesity and Type 2 diabetes, but also high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, and other weight-related illnesses.

The Nicholson Clinic also specializes in gallbladder removal, abdominal / umbilical / inguinal hernia repairs as well as hiatal hernia repair to treat acid reflux. In addition to being one of the most experienced surgical teams in the country, all three surgeons are also known for their down to earth personalities and compassionate care. With credentials at some of the top facilities in DFW, Dr. Nicholson, Dr. Long and Dr. Roshek are proud to offer the assurance of safe, effective outcomes and help eradicate obesity.

We partner with and work closely with additional providers as needed; i.e. Clinical Psychologists, Registered Dietitians, Cardiologists, Gastroenterologists, Plastic Surgeons and Primary Care Providers — all to help patients achieve their weight loss goals and live a happier, healthier life.

If you are considering weight loss surgery, the first step is to make an appointment with one of our doctors for a new consultation. When we schedule your appointment, we also collect your insurance information at that time, then our team gets to work on verifying coverage. We will then make an attempt to reach you prior to your appointment so you know what to expect. From clinic check in to check out, our medical team and support staff will help you feel safe, comfortable and well taken care of. We look forward to helping you on your journey to health.