Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

I couldn’t have had a better Doctor than Dr. Alvarez. Dr. Alvarez, his staff and the hospital staff were very professional. The hospital was super clean and the staff was very attentive. I had no problems with the language barrier even thru I only speak English. Dr. Alvarez is very well versed and knowledgeable in this field, he is also very well spoken and that in it’s self makes you feel so at ease and you feel like you have known him forever. He meets with you and who ever is with you and explains the whole procedure to you and then asks if you have any questions.rnrnPriscilla then takes you to get your lab work and chest x-ray, she then gets you settled into your room so you can relax until your surgery. I’m so lucky because I live in Eagle Pass and can continue to see him for follow up appointments. I have to tell you I felt more comfortable with Dr. Alvarez, his staff and the hospital folks than I have ever felt with a doctor before. Dr. A and his staff are total professionals but yet have the best bedside manor that makes you feel like friends or almost family, not patient and doctor. rn

If your thinking about having surgery, I would strongly recomend Dr. Alvarez. He makes feel completely at easy and you are his first priority, No If's and or Buts...He is genuine in his feelings and you can see and feel that.rnHis office staff and representives are always there if you need them, before and after surgery. My Daughter And I went to Piedras Negras for surgery together on Jan 5th,2008.rnI would'nt change a single thing. I wish I had done it at a younger age. ( I'm 43 now.)rnrn This is what I just wrote him Please read on.rnrnI've been thinking alot about you lately, I wanted to thank you for everything that you've done and for the person that you are. You took such great care of us ( Heather & I )rnI just wanted to catch you up on our progress. I'm not quite sure how much I weighed in your office, but Just for the sake of argument I'll say I weighed 278 lbs.rn rnWe had surgery Jan. 5th 2008, Today is May 13th 2008, So it's been 4 months 7 days Since our surgery.rnI currently weigh 193.8 lbs as of this morning ( May 13th, 2008 ) That's a total of 85 lbs. Lost WOW Can you believe that.. I have a goal of 150 lbs I'm not sure that's obtainable my height is 5'7''rnI was wearing a size 26 in pants and I'm now in a 16 just about ready to move into a 14.rn rnI keep a daily journal of what I eat and my weight.rnJan. 5th---278.0 rnfeb. 18th-----234.8 rnMarch 7th----226.0 rnmarch 31st--213.6 rnApril 18th----203.8 rnMay 5th------199.8rnMay 13th-----194.8rn rnHeather is doing good too, She's lost 85lbs as of today she weighs 201lbs we usually stay close in weight loss. We've just started exercising I joined a gym and I ride the stationary bike 3 miles three times a week and I also do water aerobics.rnI'll send some pictures soon, I haven't taken a picture yet.rnI don't really get to hungry, food isn't always on my mind like it used to be, Actually I could take or leave it...rnFood is only a source of nourishment now nothing more. which leaves me more time to think and do other things more important.rnrnI hope this helps someone, rnI'm am on Obesity helprnunder Juditw if you have any questions.rn

My first impression upon meeting Dr. Alvarez was he's so young, professional. very personable, compassionate, and extremely handsome! It's only been less than a week since my surgery! His staff, Rosy, Pricila, Susan, and Dr. Gabriel impressed me with their total support and professionalism. Tho he, Rosy and Pricila speak fluent English, there was a slight language barrier with the nite nurses. It really didn't matter because they just did their jobs. You can use the translation sheet if needed. The hospital was pretty old, but extremely clean. I found it really interesting. Dr. A has 4 beautifully remodled bariatric suites just for his patients. Myhubby and I stayed in a nice big room complete with a computer, tv, shower, fridge, sofa for hubby to sleep on, and you even have a phone to call anywhere you want and you can receive calls as well. That's pretty cool :) If you have any hang ups about having VSG in Mexico, I did too at first. I chose Dr. Alvarez from other's profiles and experiences and knew I was in good hands. From that first conversation with Susan, I felt it was the best choice I could make, and it definitely was. rn On a scale of 1-10, I would give Dr. Alvarez and his staff, along with my experience, an off the chart 11. My experience was top notch in all areas. :):)rnrnVegas, Baby in '09!!rnrn

Ok even after all of the wonderful things everyone has said about Dr. Alvarez...and even after the fact that I could not find anything negative on this man...I finally made my way to Mexico to find out for myself about this experience....and I have to say...Dr. Alvarez was all everyone said and then some...This surgeon rocks! Wonderful personality...extremely professional...a true leader in his field...he is unlike any doctor or surgeon I have encountered here in the States...and I am a nurse and have encountered many doctors. Dr. Alvarez genuinely cares...he has a heart of gold and loves his job and you can tell he really cares about you and your outcome. I cannot remember a doctor ever giving me a hug!!I was impressed with everything from his surgical expertise to his bedside manner. I will be talking about this experience for some time to come. Dr. A also wants to know how we are coming along and says he stays close with all of his patients. If you ever need him post op he says to call or email....Susan his coordinator is wonderful...when Dr. Alvarez is not available..Susan will always answer any question we have...She is a true gem...love her to death!rnHeck I am not even home yet...and writing all of this...that is how good I feel and I am three days post op! I just took a 2-3 mile San Antonio River Walk hike! I feel great...Thankyou so much Dr. Alvarez!!rnAt 1 week post op...I have no regrets:-) I have lost 8 lbs now and feel better then ever. I had fibromyalgia symptoms for years now..always waxing and waning...since surgery all of my fibro symptoms have dissappeared...if any of you have fibromyalgia you know what I mean...that aching heavy feels like you are walking upstairs all of the time is completely gone and so is the fog that comes with it. What a wonderful side effect that this surgery had on me. I will be forever grateful to Dr. Alvarez. rnIf anyone is at all skeptical about going to Mexico...please don't be...You will be extremely well taken care of there and in excellent hands of one of the worlds best bariatric surgeons!

I just wanted to share with everyone the WONDERFUL experience that i had with Dr. Alvarez. Going in to this, like most, i was nervous not knowing what to expect. From my first meeting with Dr. Alvarez all my fears were put aside. I really appreciated the fact that he was very attentive to everything question i had. The fact that he himself would respond to my emails (within the hour) really impressed me. The day of surgery i started having anxiety and he sat with me and reassured me that i was ok. His staff was GREAT!! loved my nurse Priscila...i would recommend Dr. Alvarez to anyone who is considering having Lap-Band surgery!!! And his bedside manner was excellent. He checked in on my several times and made sure that i was comfortable.

I'm self-pay, so all options were available. I read so many good patient reviews on Dr. Alvarez and I wanted a Doctor with his kind of experience. Susan is very easy to work with.

My hole trip to Mexico was great. I loved it there everyone was so nice. Dr A is AWESOME! He is a very dedicated doctor. I am so glad I found him,I would not change a thing. It just amazes me how I could go to another country and get better care in a hospital then I can in my own country. I was not one bit scared at all. It was truly the best thing I have ever done!

Dr. Alvarez and his staff were all extremely nice. I was was fortunately enough to meet them prior to my surgery and they were all so genuine and friendly that any anxiety I may of had was quickly eliminated. The sugery coordinator went out of her way to help with arranging the details. The whole process was so well organized from the travel to the surgery that there was never a moment when I wondered what now. The staff was always there to answer the questions. I imagine that things don't always go as smoothly as they did for me, but from the time I was picked up at the airport in San Antonio until I was dropped off I never waited more than a few minuetes and I was always kept informed of the schedules. I know this can be a time of great anxiety and I can honestly say that I can't imagine having a more comfortable experience. Not was the service probably more than I expected, but the staff was so down to earth that I felt as though friendships were made. I would gladly answer any questions anyone might have.

My original review below is from April 14, 2008, about a week after having VSG with Dr. Alvarez. It's been almost 4 years and I have to report how happy I am with my amazing results and new life. I am happy, healthy, and living life to the fullest thanks to Dr. Alvarez and my Sleeve. I have no regrets at all and would do it again, only SOONER! I want my mother and my daughter to get sleeved, as well, as soon as we can get it arranged.

=)
Long2BeThin
January 18, 2012

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My whole experience has been wonderful. I found so much information on weight loss surgery on Obesityhelp.com. That's where I found out about VSG. I checked out the forums and found the VSG group to be happier with their surgery and results as well as reporting fewer side effects and complaints. I decided on the VSG and started looking all over the Internet for the doctor most experienced. Dr. Alvarez was by far the most experienced and the best price I found anywhere. rnrnSusan made the planning go so smoothly and had answers to all of my questions. She did the initial evaluation and sent the information to the doctor. She kept me informed of everything through phone calls and email and provided a ton of emotional support. I feel like I know her although I haven’t met her. rnrnRosie picked me up in San Antonio along with Leigh Ann, another lady going for the surgery. Susan had put is in touch by email and it was great having someone there I felt like I knew. The ride there was actually fun. We laughed and talked silliness, mostly out of nervousness, all the way there.rnrnLeigh Ann and I went out to have a late lunch in Piedras Negras the afternoon before surgery and had a wonderful meal. Just forget the margaritas! They were delicious but caused us both to be dehydrated and made the blood work harder than it needed to be. Of course, we told the doctor. rnrnMeeting Dr Alvarez was almost anticlimactic because I felt like I already knew him. He was exactly like everyone said, polite, calm and professional. He paid 100% personal attention to each of us. Although he must have had a ton to do he never appeared rushed or that he was trying to move us along a conveyor belt. He was also as charming and good-looking as everyone said he was. We each had a weigh in along with our personal interview with the doctor and met his gorgeous assistant Dr. Gabriel Rosales. We got to see the outgoing patients who were headed back to San Antonio. It was reassuring to see them looking well, although walking a bit gingerly.rnrnWe got our room assignments and as we walked toward our rooms we got to see the hospital. It was very old fashioned with nurses in white uniforms and paper caps. I noticed then and every other time I was out of my room that there was ALWAYS someone mopping and cleaning. rnrnThe rooms were really nice and had computers with Internet access. We had blood drawn (remember not to have the alcohol!) and then off to surgery. I was already passed out so didn't get to experience the famous passing through the window from one gurney onto another gurney into the clean surgery room. I'm pretty sure that's a rarity if not unknown in the United States!rnrnSaturday afternoon after surgery wasn't great. The main thing was getting the anesthesia out of our systems. I had some dry heaving which was horrible. I only had them two or three times and they were gone by Saturday night, for sure within 12 hours after surgery. I also had several rounds of nausea but didn’t throw up at all; it just felt like I was going to. I’d just go to the bathroom and spit until the sensation passed. I got nauseous maybe a half dozen times but not past Monday, two days after the surgery and it was mostly after I’d do something slightly more strenuous, like taking a shower. On Sunday, Dr. Alvarez allowed my IV to be removed. I was so glad because my hand was really swollen and the meds burned like the Dickens going into the IV port! We started on the ice chips and he said that pain meds could be taken orally and nausea meds by injection. I didn’t need either one though. rnrnPriscilla, the English speaking nurse, kept getting me up to walk but by Sunday I felt 100% better and was off the meds and walking and resting all on my own. Priscilla was wonderful and sweet. If only she could be cloned and be a night nurse also! The Spanish-speaking night nurses were sweet but the language barrier was apparent. They did, however, understand our grunts and gestures. Good caveman communication crosses every language barrier! rnrnI never had real pain from the surgery. I had stiffness, swelling and discomfort, but not pain. Within three days I could sleep on my left side and within a week I could lay comfortably on my stomach. The internal stitches itched but are healing up wonderfully! rnrnAt the end of our 48-hour hospital stay Dr. Alvarez and Dr. Rosales checked us for leaks and gave us our little boxes of medications and our detailed instructions. He made sure we understood both our meds and our diets. Again, he was relaxed and spent all the time we needed and never once checked his watch. That was pretty amazing. rn rnWe got to see the incoming patient as we were leaving and then Rosie took us back to San Antonio. Since I wasn’t staying in San Antonio they didn’t reserve a room for me but Leigh Ann let me take a nap in her room before I drove home to Houston. The hour nap helped quite a bit but I could really have slept another five. rnrnI had to leave to be at work Tuesday morning. I only took two days off work but one was to get there and the other was to get home. I only really missed one day of work because of the surgery. I have a desk job so could actually have worked that Monday as well, although not comfortably. rnrnThe three-hour drive was fine. I stopped once to stretch and use the restroom. I was really glad to be home and get into my very own bed! I did get nauseous once just as I was leaving San Antonio but I think that trying to read directions and drive added to the stress I’d already gone through. That was about the last time I had any nausea.rnrnI can't say that I did it by myself because I had Leigh Ann, Rosie, Dr. Alvarez, Dr. Rosales, Priscilla and the night nurses all looking after me at various times. I hope I gave some of the comfort back by looking in on Leigh Ann and encouraging her as much as she did me. We are truly sleeve sisters and have a bond for life!rnrnI am hoping to afford to take my daughter and my mother for the surgery. My dream is for us all to be healthy and slim for life. I would recommend Dr. Alvarez and his team to anyone. Don't be deterred by the fact that it's in Mexico. The United States isn't the only place with good health care. I don't think I could have found better anywhere else.rnrn

Deciding on a VSG after 2 years of research was the hard part - deciding on Dr. Alvarez was the easy part! For me, any prospective surgeon's experience with the VSG procedure was critical and Dr. A was one of the most experienced available.rnrnSusan, his patient coordinator was helpful, efficient and a joy to work with. Arrangements were handled flawlessly and made the trip as worry-free as possible. Rosy, responsible for transport to and from San Antonio, Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, was delightful and made the time pass quickly.rnrnDr. Alvarez himself was everything I had been led to believe and more. His kind, considerate and reassuring manner quickly put any concerns I had at ease. I appreciated the time he took to answer my questions and his frequent visits post-surgery. It is now three months since my surgery and I have had an easy recovery and no complications whatsoever.rnrnWhile the hospital facility itself may be a bit dated, I was fortunate to be one of the first patients to stay in one of the new bariatric suites which was spacious, modern and well-equipped. The nursing care was attentive(Priscilla was especially great) and, even though I don't speak Spanish, any request for assistance was handled promptly.rnrnI think it speaks to the regard Dr A's patients have for him and his team that a \"patient reunion\" was recently held (a reunion for surgery patients??). And next year I'm planning to be there!rnrnMy husband, who accompanied me to Piedras Negras, is considering WLS himself. If he does decide to proceed, Dr Alvarez will be his surgeon of choice.