Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

I am currently 1 month and a day out of surgery with Dr. Alvarez. I could not have asked for a better surgeon, doctor, and encouraging person.

The overall process from setting up a date for surgery to the actual surgery date and after was so smooth and I experienced NO roadblocks or issues.

The common concern from others regarding location in Mexico was no issue at all! I know you are probably thinking "really?!" but I am being so truthful! I would totally suggest this place to anyone who is looking for a smooth process and a doctor who is going to be looking out for your best interest!

I have to admit, I was scared to go out of country and have my gastric sleeve done. Thank goodness I knew someone who had used Dr Alverez and recommended him highly! I had my surgery on June 10, 2014 and by Dr Alverez in Mexico! I get asked... would you do it again? My answer??? YES! in a heart beat! He and his staff were great and efficient. They took great care of me and I went alone. My only problem? There was this little taco stand right outside! :) Seriously, you won't regret having the surgery and having the surgery in Mexico by Dr Alverez. The plane trip home was much easier than going because his staff made sure the airline would take care of me. So, I would do it again and yes, I would go alone again!

Thank You ,
Dr Alverez and staff! You have changed my life!

My experience with the surgery was much better than expected. I had read everything and scheduled the surgery but then chickened out. I was worried about how the care and surgery would be in Mexico. I was supposed to have the surgery the same time as a friend of mine. She went, but I did not. I saw my friend lose weight and decided 18 months later to go ahead and reschedule. It was a good decision. DR. Alvarez did a great job. He has an amazing, attentive staff. I was up and walking the day after the surgery. I went back to work 4 days later. I have lost 20 pounds in the last 5 weeks and feel great. I highly recommend the surgery and DR. Alvarez.

I am completely happy and overly satisfied with my experience before, during, and after my surgery with Dr. Alvarez. I have already been referring others to him. My time in Mexico was made comfortable by him and his entire staff. Jessica and Anali was by far the best assistants anyone after surgery could ask for. If you have any questions just ask. Thanks

I had my Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy in Piedras Negras, Mexico on June 2, 2014. Dr. Alvarez was my surgeon and he was professional, kind and caring. I found his credentials to be top notch. His staff was amazing and I had the best care I could've imagined from any American hospital, and the cost is about 1/3 of an identical surgery here in America! The facility was clean and comfortable and included room for a separate bed inside my hospital room for my traveling partner, which made me feel even more safe and comfortable during this procedure. Mexico has high quality health care and Dr. Alvarez gives 100% attention to your needs, questions and after care. I would recommend Dr. Alvarez to anyone considering this procedure. He was instrumental in changing my life.

I was referred to Dr. Alverez from one of my best friends when she told me he was in Mexico I was a little worried where I would be going. I must say the whole experience was very organized and more than safe from the hotels to the hospital. The hospital was very clean and the care there was much better than you would receive in the States. The doctors were there morning and night to check on you. The nurses were there anytime you needed them the entire experience was more than I had expected. I would recommend Dr. Alverez and his entire staff to anyone thinking of Having barbaric surgery. I am a month from surgery and I am feeling better about myself than I have in 20 years. To date I have lost 20 pounds. I am loving the compliments I receive from my friends and family. I must also tell you that since my surgery I no longer have chronic foot pain, nor do I have the arthritis I had in my hands. Cannot explain why but I'm not questioning it. It feels great no to have this pain any longer. Dr. Alverez is a wonderful surgeon who has a passion for what he does. I give him a Big 10.

I had my surgery about 5 weeks now and i feel great. I heard about Dr. Alvarez through my sister who also had her surgery couple of years back. She only talked wonderful things about dr. Alvarez that when i felt ready to have the surgery it was the only Dr. i researched, and through the research and talking to dr. Alvarez staff i knew there was no other option but Dr. Alvarez. Everything from getting to San Antonio to Mexico to the hospital back to San Antonio was easy and care free. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Since the surgery i have lost 30Lbs and i feel GREAT! And im not the only noticing my change. People that have known for years are telling me that i look and feel great. Dr. Alvarez brought a piece of life back, which i thought i was never going to get back, Confidence! Dr. Alvarez is truly the best doctor for the surgery.

Dr. Alvarez was absolutely wonderful. The entire experience was actually - from the very initial contact to the aftercare. They have thought of every single detail and scenario and you are very thoroughly prepared and informed. ALL of the staff were fabulous! Dr. Alvarez and his entire staff are very professional, kind and attentive. I felt like I was in extremely competent compassionate hands. And for anyone who questions or concerns about going to Mexico for the procedure, don't give it a single thought. I have felt much more risk in many American cities than I did going into Mexico. That truly shouldn't even be a factor in your decision. If you are even vaguely considering the option of the surgery, Dr. Alvarez is your man! I don't have a single regret about having it done.

I had the Sleeve Surgery done by Dr. Guillermo Alvarez, on May 6th 2014, I highly recommend him for this surgery, he & his staff have the best bedside manner I have ever experienced.They are so helpful & patient with me, I ask alot of questions & they always have a positive response, & always eager to help !!! I came in weighing 270lbs & I now weigh 225 it's only been a little over a month !!! Greatest decision I have made for a healthier life was choosing Dr. Alvarez to do my surgery !!! I feel great & am enjoying my new eating habits & weight loss success !! :)

Tiffiny Garcia

I have got to tell you of the wonderful experience I had while under the care of Dr. Alvarez. I spent three years researching b/c I felt that this was my body and I wanted the best. I knew four other women that had the gastric sleeve in my area with Dr. Alvarez and I followed their success. They all have had wonderful results and no complications. As I watched them and researched, I knew this was the choice I should make. My husband was a bit hesitant. Okay, a LOT hesitant. It took him a while to convince him that going to Mexico was safe. He finally agreed with “if it makes you happy, then I will go.” Good enough for me. I asked Susan (Dr. Alvarez’s coordinator) a ton of questions. I purchased the book that Dr. Alvarez wrote and I read it several times. Once I booked my surgery in February, I continued to research and look for everything I could about Mexico. I was all about surgery, but a little scared of going across the border. Susan will tell you everything you need to do. Everything was so laid out. Everything operated like a well-oiled machine. From the time we landed in San Antonio, it was smooth! We made a call for the shuttle to pick us up at the airport. We got to LaQuinta and had a little time to spare, so we went shopping at Walmart. It is in walking distance and they locked our luggage up at the hotel so we could run around. Once we returned around 11, Rosie was there to pick us up. She walked right up to us and introduced herself. We were the only people being picked up-Poor Rosie. We arrived so early, that we were exhausted by the time she got there and I think I napped most of the way to Eagle Pass, Texas. She arranged everything once we got to the Holiday Inn at Eagle Pass and told us to be ready in the morning by 7. She told us there would be another couple coming. I was able to eat that night and had no anxiety about the trip to Mexico at that point. The hotels were both nice and everyone was welcoming. The drive across the border was nothing like I expected. It was actually quite like the US. When we pulled up to the hospital, we went straight into Dr. Alvarez’s office. My husband and I talked to the couple next to us. They were friendly people from Texas. Dr. Alvarez came out and said we could choose who goes first. I asked if I could b/c I was getting nervous. I HATE needles and knew I had to have an IV. The man having surgery agreed and I was off to meet the doctor first. Now, I am a married woman, but if you are a single lady, LOOK OUT! Dr. Alvarez is a nice looking man. He has such a comforting tone, and was very reassuring that this was a good decision for me. (not that I needed reassuring, but he was so kind). After that, Dr. Alvarez let me go off with Anna Lee (I think that was her name-sweetest nurse EVER!). I loved that girl! She took my picture and once the other man that was having surgery took his, we were off to get our blood work and x-ray done. When you get blood work, they only take one vial. The nurse didn’t speak English but Anna Lee was with me and talked to me the whole time. The nurses at the hospital are wonderful and they don’t need English to communicate. I had the best care EVER! I have had two c-sections and this was nothing! When you get a chest x-ray, you have to take off your shirt and bra and put this gown on. You stand and hold your breath and then get dressed. Just a little tip-TAKE OUT YOUR RUBBER BAND if you have your hair up! I had mine braided and the rubber band had a little metal on one side so I had to redo the x-ray. When they told me I was freaking out like something was wrong and Anna Lee told me it was just my hairband. AHHH! I was almost ready for surgery now. We got to go to our room and Anna Lee told me to change into my gown. You go Commando! I had no problem since I was first and I knew this was my path to a change in my life. I am typically very embarrassed and modest, but nobody saw anything when I was conscious and thank goodness I will never know what they saw while out! Haha. I am sure they have seen it all though and they are very professional! A few minutes after I was changed into the gown, the nurses(about 3) came in for my iv. This is the part I worried about, but all I can say is WOW. I didn’t feel pain and they were so gentle. I was all smiles! The anesthesiologist came in and felt my neck before they got ready to roll me back. They asked my hubby to step out while they transferred me in the small bed to go to surgery and they put something in my IV. I don’t remember a thing after that until I woke up in my room later on. My surgery took a little longer than expected b/c I had a large hiatal hernia that had to be repaired. Dr. Alvarez took care of it and still did my surgery-at NO extra charge! I didn’t even know I had one but did feel bad for about a year and guess that may have been why. He explained everything to my husband when they brought me back and even gave me a tummy pillow. (Tip-hold on to that pillow. It was the best thing!) I was groggy but was able to get up and down to go to the bathroom several times that day and night. Since I was so sleepy I didn’t get up and walk around for a few hours. The Doctor and his team came in several times for the two days I was there. They were all wonderful!! I was in a little pain in my shoulder area and they said it could be from the Hernia repair. It was not unbearable but just bothered me. I did get up and walk that night and all the next day when I wasn’t sleeping. I was a napping fool in their comfy bed. My husband didn’t like sleeping on the couch, but he was a trooper. I appreciated him going. When it was time to release, they let me know about everything I would receive for after care. I was given some pretty strong pain pills, but never had to take any of them. I was able to walk around pretty good when I was released. I was a bit poofy though from all the fluids that you get while you are in, but nothing that would stop me from having the surgery.(I lost that water weight quick)
Rosie drove us back to San Antonio where we stayed the night at La Quinta before flying out of San Antonio the next day. Rosie is an awesome driver. The weather was HORRIBLE and she kept the van on the road perfect. The night at the hotel, Susan called to check on me. If that isn’t a personal touch, I just don’t know what is! I loved that! I will never be able to thank Dr. Alvarez in a way that would give him the gratification that I feel today from him saving my life, but I do hope that you will consider him as your surgeon. I was going to keep this a secret from others b/c I was ashamed that I needed to do this to live a better quality life. I have rethought my decision b/c I feel I owe it to Dr. Alvarez to spread the word. I have shared with others and they are excited for me. As I lose more and people ask, I won’t hesitate to tell them where I went b/c I highly recommend the care I got! I have never had such an amazing and heartfelt team of doctors, nurses, and staff.