Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

Hello, my name is Mario Garza I live in Houston, Texas and I am a Physician. I researched many bariatric surgeons because I wanted to have a sleeve gastrectomy done. I found Dr. Guillermo Alvarez to be the most qualified, the trip to Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras was very easy and safe. Dr. Alvarez's staff is there for you from the moment you arrive to the moment you depart anything you need you will have, it was a very safe and pleasant experience I highly recommend it to anyone thinking of have weight loss surgery

Having surgery in Mexico was so much less complicated than U.S. Great doctor and assistants.

I was first made aware of Dr Alvarez by a friend who had used him as her surgeon. I met him the morning of my surgery, he was warm and welcoming. He made me feel at ease and answered all my questions thoroughly. Both he and all of his staff were very professional and very welcoming. I can't emphasize enough what a great experience I had. He made sure I had all the information I needed for my aftercare. He also maintained communication with me after I returned home to be sure my recovery remained on track. I have had surgery before, but can honestly say this was one of the best surgical experiences I have ever had. I would recommend Dr Alvarez to anyone looking for either a lap band revision or a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. I had both at the same time and was very pleased with my experience.

I was a little apprehensive about going to Mexico for surgery. As soon as I met Dr Alvarez, he put my fears to rest. He was so pleasant and understanding and answered any questions I had. The surgery went well, and while I had slight discomfort, I didn't actually have alot of pain. The staff was very helpful and took my companion out to eat and shop both nights. The nurses came regularly and checked on you.

It has been 4 weeks since my surgery and I am down 29 pounds. While it isn't easy to eat in such a restrictive manner for the first 4 weeks, the reward is more than worth it. It is one of the best choices I've made. I only wish I'd done it sooner.

I was very nervous about any kind of surgery, partly because of a terrible experience in a local hospital, part of a major hospital network, where my youngest son had surgery just a few months ago. He was in one hospital 43 days straight, mostly due to problems with the surgery including a MRSA infection in his blood that got on his heart valves. On more than one occasion we thought we had lost him. Though the hospital was brand new and beautiful on the outside, what went on inside was not very pretty...and for us, was traumatic.

Despite my fear of surgery... and problems with 'modern' hospitals, I knew I had to change my direction, or I was going to end up where I was headed... continued high blood pressure, respiratory problems, looming diabetes, heart problems, knee problems, etc. I did not want to follow in the footsteps of my parents whose final years were pretty miserable health wise, primarily due to obesity and all the complications that go with it.
After much soul searching and research, I decided that the best choice for me was the VSG... also I knew 4 people who had this surgery previously, with tremendous long term success. Three of them had gone to Dr. Alvarez in Piedras Negras, Mexico.

Because of all the news reports over the last couple of years, I was very skeptical about going to Mexico for surgery. Could it possibly be safe? But my research, the experiences of those I knew... and a couple I came to know via this forum..., finally led me to choose Dr. Alvarez as the best choice regardless of where I had to go.

How do I describe my experience? From the first contact I received a level of communication and personal attention, that was totally different from what I've experience in dealing with doctors and surgeons here. When I asked probing and pointed questions, Dr. Alvarez and Susan Geoge, his patient coordinator, were responsive, open, and frank. They were never defensive, evasive or offended by my questions. (As my primary care physician told me, "If the surgeon, or his staff, doesn't want to tell you his numbers (i.e., # of surgeries, complication rates, etc.) there's a reason." Both Dr. Alvarez and Susan were very accessible, both by phone and by email.... Dr. Alvarez even has a weekly internet radio broadcast (ObesityChat) where he takes questions and provides answers, guidance, and encouragement to anyone struggling with obesity. He responds to email, tweets, and to members of his facebook group Endobariatric.com

Everything about our trip to San Antonio, and on to Piedras Negras, was well-scripted and smoothly executed. The small town of Eagle Pass, TX on one side of the border was like any small, rural town, and Piedras Negras, was much the same, though larger and more of a commercial center. Other than at the border crossing itself, we never saw any armed soldiers, or indications of tightened security, etc..
The private hospital, though not shiny and new... was spotless, well-equipped, well staffed...even peaceful. The doctors were attentive ... and accessible, dropping by multiple times each day. Jessica and Anali, both nurses, were assigned both to translate for us (as many of the hospital staff nurses did not speak English) and to make sure we had everything we (and our companions) needed. They walked us up and down the halls after the surgery... and took our traveling companions out to eat and even did a little shopping. It was such a contrast to our previous hospital experiences!
The procedure itself went without a hitch. (I was even provided the video recording of it).
It's been a month and I feel better than I can remember.

I can't recommend Dr. Alvarez and his staff highly enough. It was definitely the right decision for me.

My first impression of Dr. Alvarez was that he looked very well put together. First impressions are a big deal and he definitely you made his on my husband and I. Naturally, when people think Mexico and surgery...most of us have a nervous feeling about it and feel like something could go wrong. However, I can assure you...EVERYTHING went perfect. I am not exaggerating on that either. I am not paid to write or say anything. I am saying this from the bottom of my heart. Everything was great. I felt welcome since my first interaction with Susan George and all the way to meeting Dr. A and his staff. Not to mention, there are several videos (YouTube) on, about, and from Dr. Alvarez. The vision for his patients far out does any doctor I have ever met or heard of. He wants to help you in your journey from before you really realize that this will be your journey. He has taken the time to out up several videos and guides in order to assist you from far away, even after your surgery has been completed. He is very maticulous in performing his surgeries. My husband and I both couldn't be happier with the results. We are almost 6 weeks out and we are both doing great. No infections, and hear me when I say that's AWESOME! I have had surgery before (gallbladder removal surgery) and had several infections after it and it was done at my local hospital here in Texas. I am also prone to getting the worst of everything. So if something can go wrong, it usually does on me. However, NOT one single infection and my incisions are barely even there. I am only about 6 weeks out and already they are almost all gone. I haven't used any special creams or anything. I couldn't be happier or more pleased with the job he did. I just can't say that enough. My husband is the one who did all the research on doctors and came to the final conclusion of Dr. Alvarez. You can read his review as well. His name is "1moparman". We did this being a little hesitate and came out on top of the world. We feel that not only did we choose an awesome doctor, but also a doctor with the right amount of passion, compassion, and tools that we needed to get through this journey. Everytime I call or email having questions, I am always responded to within a matter of a few hours or less. The team he has assembled is above par and makes sure you know you are important. I have never had the attention to detail or the attention from a nurse or staff they way I have with Dr. Alvarez's staff. I felt safe and cared for during my entire stay. Susan also helped me get my time off work approved. My doctors here in Texas usually charge for that or it takes them several days to complete this task, whereas Susan would have end done by end of business day on the day you requested it or the next morning if she had to request clinicals or labs. It truly is worth investing your time in Dr. Alvarez and staff in helping you achieve your weight loss goals.

I am a lapband revision patient. I had my lapband placed on 11/10/2005 by Dr. Heneghan of Bassett Healthcare. I was not a success story. The band caused lots of regurgitation and caused GERD. I had difficulty eating and often vomited. With time the lapband "slipped and flipped". It was removed on 8/23/13 by Dr. Cooper of Syracuse Physician Associates. As it turned out, my health insurance carrier denied me the second stage of my revision surgery (the gastric sleeve). After having dealt with 2 NY bariatric practices and having complied with all of the program demands, I opted to go to Dr. Guillermo Alvarez of Endobariatric for my surgery (as a self pay patient). The truth be told, Dr. Alvarez is a much more skilled and experienced surgeon than ANY of my NY options. He authored the very first book on the gastric sleeve in 2010, which I read cover to cover before making my final decision. He has performed over 5.000 surgeries. He specializes in the gastric sleeve. I researched for months and could not find ONE negative feedback on him. The most remarkable thing about this is that his patients are all self pay. I joined his Facebook group (Endobariatric) and kept reading nothing but good things about Dr. A. His patients all were pleased with their sleeves and their new lives. My one concern was traveling from Texas back home to upstate NY post surgery. However, I contacted several New Yorkers and world travelers that had needed to travel long distances. They all assured me the traveling was not a problem. I sent in my deposit, secured my date and prepared myself for my surgery. My surgery was on 1/13/14. It was stress free, pain free, with no nausea and no acid. Other than a little soreness (less than when you first start working out), I felt GREAT! The travel back home went smoothly (I did use the wheelchair service when I got to Dulles Airport as my gates were at opposite ends of the airport and required a shuttle). I returned to work after a week. My suture sites are barely visible. My scar from the lapband removal on 8/23/13 is VERY visible and twice the size of my VSG scar. Overall, I rate Dr. Guillermo Alvarez A+++. In my opinion, he is the absolute best!! His team is wonderful! Dr. Salinas, the anesthesiologist, was magnificent. I have always felt like a mack truck hit me after surgery but not this time. I felt refreshed and alert post op. Dr. Gabe, Dr. Alvarez's assistant was very kind and attentive. Dr. Garza, a resident learning from Dr. A was just as great. The nursing staff at the hospital were attentive, caring, and always available. Although I was not in one of the Endobariatric rooms at the hospital (as my original flight was cancelled due to a wind storm and my surgery was re-scheduled making me an add on to his 1/13 itinerary), the room I was in was clean and comfortable. I loved having a private room. I also loved not being constantly interrupted whie resting. I actually rested! In addition to the hospital nurses, Dr. A has 2 nurses exclusively for his patients. One per shift, Anali and Jessica. They were both absolute sweethearts!! They answered questions, walked laps with me up and down the halls, and helped make the hospital experiece a very pelasant one. I have never received such great care in a hospital EVER. Our health care system could definitely learn something from Dr. Alvarez's practice. And as if all this great care was not enough, his follow up is great. He e-mailed me to remind me of each dietary phase and simply to check up and see how I was doing. His coordinator, Susan, was wonderful when I needed to re-schedule because of my cancelled flight. They made it easy for me and my surgery was delayed a few day (orig date was 1/9 and surgery date ended up 1/13/14). I feel so blessed to have had my insurance deny my VSG. I ended up with a world class, highly skilled surgeon considered to be one of the leading experts in the gastric sleeve and the best medical expereince of my life. I highly recommend Dr. Guillermo Alvarez. P.S.- Most of the staff speaks fluent English.

After much research and review I chose Dr. Alavarez. Prior to meeting Dr. Alvarez I got the impression that he was very passionate about his work. After meeting him and his staff I can clearly say without a doubt that I made the best possible choice of surgeons. Dr. Alvarez and his staff were very attentive, interested in your well-being, and professional. Dr. Alvarez was very nice and didn't just treat you like a number. He and his staff made sure you received the best possible care while under their care. Dr. Alvarez, his team, and the facility was the best experience I have had for surgical purposes. All risks associated with the surgery were covered and I felt quite secure under Dr. Alvarez's care. It was a very nice facility and would recommend Dr. Alvarez above all others. He is truly a class act.

I just scanned many of the reviews of patients of Dr. Alvarez that went before me and find it amazing how everyone's experience is so consistent with each others. I can agree and relate to everything that's been said. I was worried at first to go to Mexico for surgery. I was hesitant to tell friends and family and I actually waited until I got back to tell most of them. After months of researching Dr. Alvarez through his website Endobariatric.com by watching all the utube links, following his patients on utube, searching his credentials, etc., I finally made that call to Susan, his patient coordinator, also a patient of Dr. A and a nurse. From then on after I set the date, anytime I would get nervous about the trip and the decision, I would log onto face book and read his patients posts, I emailed Dr. Alvarez himself with questions, I would call Susan or email her, watch more utube testimonials, watch the patient reunion parties on utube, to help me put my fear to rest. And also listen to his live radio show that airs every Monday night. I became so comfortable with Dr. A that I just put my trust in him knowing I was going to be another success story like the rest of his wonderful patients and I am! I must add that Dr. Rosales who assisted Dr. Alvarez added much to the comfort and trust I felt throughout my stay at the hospital. At first arriving at the hospital I do remember saying to my boyfriend that it feels a little odd being out of the country. It was different at first. But let me tell you before you know it your right at home. I even learned a little Spanish (very little). I have never been left with such a warm connection with one of my doctors like I have with Dr. Alvarez. I could go on and on......hahahaha!

I am sure that everyone who is thinking of having surgery in Mexico thinks the same thing, is this safe? I know I was. After reading some of the reviews on this site, I decided that Dr Alvarez would not only take great care of me, but that he would also be better than most surgeons in the US. I have been a nurse for 5 years in critical care environments, and the doctors for those patients only round once per day if the patients are lucky. Dr Alvarez and his staff round multiple times per day, and make sure that everything is going well. In my opinion, the true way to tell if your laparoscopic surgeon is good or not is the amount of pain after surgery. Let me tell you, I had very little pain after surgery. I would recommend this surgeon to anyone, even if they had insurance that would cover the surgery in the US. By far one of the best hospital experiences I have ever had.