Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

This review is actually for my husband who had surgery 10/21/2015. I had previously had surgery 2 years ago with Dr. A., and also took my niece to have surgery with Dr. A last year.

According to Dr. A. , my husband Jack has been his oldest sleeve patient. He is 74 years of age, and handled the surgery like a champ! Jack is a heart patient, so had to have clearance from his cardiac doc in the U.S. He has already lost 40 pounds in about 6 weeks and is feeling great !

Our experience on this trip was as wonderful as my previous times before. This surgical team has become like family to us…Dr. A, Dr. Gabe, Dr. Sanchez…etc…are all highly skilled physicians. My husband has told many many people about the quality of care he received being the best in his entire life, and how he "never got this kind of care in any U.S. hospital".

Just so you know, when I had my surgery 2 years ago, he was dead set against my going to Mexico. He was afraid of border towns and all the horrible things you hear about Mexico. But Piedras Negras is different. It's a sleepy town across from Eagle Pass in the U.S. If you want to know the truth, Piedras Negras is so much cleaner and nicer than Eagle Pass on the U.S. side.

If you are still concerned about crossing the border, just remember that you are escorted by Dr. A's staff (Rosie), directly to the hospital and back when you return to the U.S. It is a small border crossing, nothing like the masses you see going back and forth in places like Tiajuana, etc.

So I have been down there a total of 4 times…first to have my band removed, then to have my sleeve done, then to take my niece (she has lost 100 lbs), and lastly to take my husband Jack. Each experience has been consistently excellent.

Terry Lively

Dr. A and his team are amazing. Going to Mexico can seem scary for many. There is absolutely no reason to worry. My trip was safe and super easy. Fly in/out of San Antonio and they take care of the rest. Piedras Negras is a cute city with shopping and restaurants near the hospital.
You can go by yourself or have a friend/family member go with you.
I was sleeved on a Saturday and back to work the following Wednesday. (Slept as much as possible when not working)
If your insurance doesn't cover bariatric surgery or you just don't want to wait to jump though the insurance company hoops--- then call Dr. A today!! You will be making a great decision!!

This surgeon and his team are top notch! I received BETTER care than in the United States. Dr. Alvarez made sure I was well taken care of. My comfort and care at this facility could not have been better. I am very happy with the results and after care. I was concerned about aftercare being that I left the United States, but dr Alvarez gives you his personal information and sends you periodic emails to check on your well being.

This surgeon is safe, you receive awesome care for an experienced team, the price is fair, your every need including hotels is handled for you, I couldn't be more pleased.

Making the decision to have weight loss surgery is a big step but I can say it is truly worth it. I received the most professional care from Dr. Alvarez and his team, starting with the journey to Eagle Pass, the two nights in the hospital and the trip back to San Antonio. Going to Mexico for this weight loss surgery is the best thing that I have done for myself to improve my health and confidence.

Dr Alvarez performed my gastric sleeve surgery on October 1 , 2015. All aspects of pre and post surgery were efficient and professional. His team and the hospital were excellent. I have lost 30 lbs post op in 37 days and 44 from my high weight. Pain was minimal and I returned to work after a week. My blood pressure is declining, joint pressure is improving and I am extremely grateful for the blessing of this surgery.

I highly recommend this gifted surgeon and his caring team of professionals.
64 year old male. SW 264 CW 234 HW 276

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.