Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

I spent two years researching the vertical sleeve procedure. I scheduled to have the surgery last fall here in the States. At the last minute I backed out. I know what it is to jump through hoops to be approved by your insurance company! With all you go through you end up feeling like a failure because you should be able to eat less, exercise and lose wait. After another year of frustration with my weight, I talked to my health care team and several people in my community that had been to Mexico for surgery. I made the decision to go to Mexico. I had such peace with my decision and wasn't nervous even on the day of surgery. Dr. Alvarez and his team made me feel safe and that I had made the right decision. They are not judgmental but very caring. I told Dr. Alvarez my story and asked him, "Are you sure this is going to work for me"? He took my hand and said, "You've done your research or you wouldn't be here and yes this will absolutely work for you". You are checked on 3 times a day by Dr. Alvarez or one his surgical team. That doesn't happen in any hospital int he States that I've been in or had family in. Rosy put our group at ease crossing the border and takes very good care of you during the travel to and from Mexico. If you are considering weight loss surgery, I recommend Dr. Alvarez. I'm 6 weeks post op, I feel great and have lost 40 lbs.

My sleeve was done on 9/26/15 so I am about 5 weeks post-op. I have feeling good and just trying to get to know my sleeve, what it likes and what it doesn't at this point and time. I love reading the posts on facebook from all the other patients because everything I am experiencing is just plain normal!! I went by my self to have this procedure done and at no time did I feel alone, scared or unsure of anything. All my questions had been answered by the books, susan or the facebook posts. I started my vitamins the month before, had to do the week before in liquid and did fine on the post op. I did start soft foods a couple of days before recommended but did just fine. I am now down 34 pounds. Dr. A was one of the best doctors I have ever had. He has answered questions for me after the surgery faster than any doctor state side. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, to be afraid about. It is one miles over the border and Rose takes the best care of you. So please don't let that stop you from changing your life.

He is one of the best doctors I have ever had the pleasure meeting. It is very hard to find a doctor in your city let alone a different state that you can trust with your life. I did all of my research about Dr. Alvarez, and asked questions on FB groups about him, and I read nothing but EXCELLENT comments. Its funny but my dad was born in Mexico but he was still very scared that I wanted to go to Mexico and have surgery, a lot of my family was scared of the "border gangs" there was nothing like that there. It was a very nice experience, I went with my aunt and we got to stay at a hotel in eagle pass that is included in the price, then Rosy picked us up the next morning and we were off to Dr. Alvarez's office. It literally took about 10 minutes from the hotel to his office, as soon as we got out of the van Dr. Alvarez greeted us. Then we went inside and myself and 2 other sleevers all turned in our paperwork and Dr. Alvarez gave us time one on one to speak to him about any last minute questions or concerns. We then decided who would go first, second, and third. Once that was decided we walked to the hospital which was a very short walk and went to the rooms, everything happened so fast. I was then walked down to get an x-ray, blood drawn, then I went back to my room and was told to put my hospital gown on. I then got in bed and the anesthesiologist came in and I moved to the surgery bed and I was out, next then I know I was told to wake up and get back in to the hospital bed. I slept for a little while, then once I was awake I was very nauseous, so I told the nurses I need some medicine and it was given quickly then I rested a little more. When I woke up, I got up and walked walked, walked. The nurses were super helpful, anything my aunt or I needed they were there to help. The Dr's came in at least 1-2 times a day to check on my new stomach, and make sure everything was okay. The hospital was very clean, I am super happy I chose Dr. Alvarez. I love that if I ever have a question I can email him and get a quick response. He as written books on this surgery, his father is also a surgeon, and I love the fact that he did this surgery on his mother. He also has YOUTUBE videos on questions about the surgery, what other doctors have taken time to do that? The answer is none, most of the youtubers are people who have had the surgery but no surgeons have gone the extra mile. Also he only does 3 surgeries a day so you don't feel like another number. He is just wonderful...... Oh and Dr. Alvarez smells AMAZING! :)

Dr. Alvarez and his staff are exceptional health care professionals. I received excellent care, both before surgery and after surgery. I am 5 weeks post op and doing very well and 31 pounds lost! Please do not hesitate to travel to his hospital to have this VSG surgery. It is a life changing experience, and you are in great hands. :)

I had my surgery with Dr. Alvarez 9/18/15. I am a nurse and had been thinking about having the gastric sleeve for awhile. I knew I didn't qualify here in the states for insurance coverage. I came across Dr. Alvarez name on many site with all great reviews. I then found him on YouTube with all of his educational material that I was very impressed with. I then purchased his book and read it. I felt very well informed from those things. Once I contacted Susan his Coordinator I was given point by point instructions and details of what to expect. I had access to calling Susan whom answered all of my questions. I even had a few concerns I emailed to Dr. Alvarez and he responded the same day. He was able to answer my question in lay persons words so I had complete understanding and what his plan would be.
Once I arrived at the facility as planned and met with Dr. Alvarez he didn't just discuss with me about the gastric sleeve. He discussed the fact about me having only 1 kidney and his plan to keep me hydrated and take care of my pain without the use of NSAIDS to protect my kidney. He also looked at my 10 inch keloid scar on my abdomen from my kidney surgery. I had been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia and he said he would fix that(no extra charge). I had the surgery and I didn't have a hiatal hernia my symptoms were from my obesity(He did surgically repair a large hiatal hernia on a patient the next day that didn't know she had one). What he did fix was removing the keloid scaring from the inside of my abdominal. I had chronic pain from that for years. That pain is now gone. My surgery took 33 minutes and it involved 3 surgeons and an anesthesiologist. These men do only 3-4 surgeries a day 5 days a week and work with the same team every day. They have this surgery perfected.
I had great care at the private hospital that I stayed at. I felt very safe in the location I was at in Piedras Negras, Mexico(this would be a whole review in itself).
Once home I received timely emails with videos of Dr. Alvarez giving instructions and what to expect each step of the way. I did contact him with a concern I had post op and he replied the same day with an explanation and that what was occurring was expected from my weight loss surgery. This was then verified by my PCP a week later by mail.
Dr. Alvarez's slogan changing lives one sleeve at a time is really becoming a reality for me as I continue to loose weight. He does give a specific outline as to how to eat. I am a little over a month out and when I don't follow his recommendation such as don't eat too fast, or drink water too soon after eating I have the exact symptoms he describes will happen. I then think, yep he was right. These things are helping retrain my behavior.
I am very happy I did this. If I didn't have all the education and support from Someone like Dr. Alvarez and his team I would not have ventured out to do this surgery like I did. Absolutely no regrets.

I truly appreciate Dr Alvarez and his staff for the wonderful care before, during and after my sleeve surgery. I was very well cared for and always felt secure and safe through my whole process. I had surgery in September 2015 and have lost 28 pounds so far:) I have to say it has not been easy but is getting better and better everyday! I am 5 weeks out and will start exercising more now that everything has healed properly. I look forward to what the future holds for me health wise and also my self confidence. Thank you again for all your help and kindness, I am truly grateful!

Dr. Alvarez and is staff were Amazing!!! Going to Mexico was scaring to me because of the the bad things you here in the news and all the negative stuff the Americans say about Mexico. But after trying to get help here in the States i realized that it would cost double or more the amount of getting this WLS- VGS done in Mexico. I did my research and found that there are many places in Mexico that offer this surgery, But for some reason I would always go back to the You Tube videos with Dr. Alvarez and all the comments from all his previous patients. I pray and pray for God to guide me and he did. I was able to connect with Susan the coordinator and she was an angel. She made me feel so at ease. I had so many questions and she took her time to answer every single one and then some. Thank you Susan. My Surgery was on 9/12/2015 I feel great losing weight and feeling good.

About Dr. Alvarez: He is amazing, when I got to his office he was there waiting for us. His office is beautiful and clean. His staff is great. We had a one on one conversation where I express my feeling to him. I told him that I left my two daughters very worried in the States one in Florida and the other one in Washington DC. both of my girls were crying when I said my good byes. My heart was broken but Dr. Alvarez assure me that once he was done with my surgery he would take time and call both girls and put them at ease. I really wasn't sure if he would but he did. I was so happy when I woke up and he told me that he had called my girls. That minute I knew he had a big HEART. I also had a hernia repair by him at no additional charge. He visited me often and also sent his other doctors to visit as well. The staff is great. They all introduced themselves and said which part they took in the surgery. God Bless them all.

Rosie: The drivers name is Rosie, She is great she made the trip to Eagle Pass a fun trip. My husband had lots of questions about Mexico and she answered all of them. She made the trip so calming for us. Almost as if she was a long time friend all on a road trip. I was one of three patients with Rosie and we all enjoy each others company. Thank You Rosie you are great!

The Staff: All the staff were so friendly and helpful. My husband likes to talk and they were making him feel welcome and spoke to him all the time. I felt like there was always someone in my room. Either helping me or just chatting. It felt so good not be be seen just like a number ( another patient) but I felt like a human being surround by love. Thanks Staff.

Susan: My dear Susan, God Bless you. Susan was great. She was the reason why I made my decision to go with Dr. Alvarez. I had so many questions for months we emailed. She answer all my questions and then some. She still emails me today. I can ask anything she will respond quickly. Loved dealing with her. Thanks Susan.

Dr. Alvarez: Dr. Alvarez is to me my Angel. He was great, God Bless him, his family and his staff. For anyone thinking about getting this WLS surgery please consider Dr. Alvarez and you wont regret it. My only regret is that I waited to long. I am 50 years old. I wish I had this done 10 years ago. But that was not in Gods plan. I feel great I feel strong everyday better and better. Surgery day 9/12/2015 losing weight and feeling good. Thanks Dr. Alvarez . Dios Te Bendiga.

I was sleeved by Dr. Alvarez on 10-14-15 and I must say it was a wonderful journey. I only have 60 pounds to lose and I am already down 20 pounds. Dr. Alvarez and his staff are AMAZING! I was scared traveling to Mexico, but my fears were unwarranted. I had excellent care second to none in the states! I believe I visited with him several times and his nurses were so helpful and friendly. The hospital was great, clean and very professional. For those of you thinking about surgery, there is nobody else I would recommend than Dr. Alvarez! Loving life and looking forward to a healthy lifestyle!!!

A very professional, transparent, clean, trustworthy, sincere, WORLD CLASS VIP HEALTHCARE TREATMENT!!!

I had surgery with Dr Alvarez on September 10, 2015. I am so glad that I did this. I am 5 weeks out and have never felt better. My only regret was that I didn't do it sooner! The entire experience with Dr Alvarez from start to finish was nothing short of amazing. I never had to question anything about my journey because everything was taken care of for me. It all went so smooth. I was nervous about going to Mexico but once I got to Piedras Negras I was so pleased on how beautiful the area is and how truly wonderful the people are. The hospital is very clean and the nurses are wonderful. Dr. Alvarez is as nice and wonderful as you see him in his YouTube videos. I cannot say enough about the entire experience and I would recommend Dr Alvarez and his team to everyone who is considering this surgery. Even after you have surgery Dr. Alvarez stays in touch with you and he gives you his personal email if you have any questions. Doctors in the USA could learn a thing or two from him.