Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

My fiance and I went to Dr Alvarez for our VSG surgery and are very pleased with our decision. I first contacted his office via email. Susan was very prompt in responding to the email & provided answers to all of our questions. Susan was great walking us through each step required to get us to surgery date.

We flew to San Antonio a day before required & relaxed at La Quinta Inn (the post-op hotel). Our room was very nice & comfortable. The next day Rosy picked us & took us to Eagle Pass. Rosy was very friendly & professional. For those of you who are back seat drivers, sit back & relax; she's an excellent driver & drives the speed limit. She got us over the border both times without any hassles.
On Monday morning when Rosy took us to the hospital, we were greeted at the door by Dr. Alvarez. He made us feel comfortable with his kind & sincere approach. We went into his office and reviewed our health histories with him. His associate Dr Garza weighed us and took our pre-op picture. Dr. Garza then took us to our hospital room to drop off our bags and then to get our chest X-ray & pre-op blood work. After that we went back to our rooms to change into the hospital gowns and off to surgery we went.
Dr. Alvarez is very skilled and I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone wanting to have VSG. I'm an operating room nurse, my insurance pays for this surgery, but I still chose to go to Mexico to have Dr Alvarez perform our surgeries. I'm impressed with his low complication rates and the number of bariatric surgeries he's performed. I know if we had our surgeries at that hospital I work at, we would have been on the OR table a minimum of two hours. My surgery took 25 minutes and my fiance's was around 35 minutes. Our incisions look like a plastic surgeon closed them. We have had no complications & our recovery has been very routine.
We are also impressed by the number of times Dr Alvarez and his associate physicians checked in on us. That doesn't happen in the U.S. The evening before we got discharged we were shown aftercare videos and were able to ask any questions we had. We got folders with all our surgery information in it, Rx pain meds and an acid reduction med. We got a copy of Dr. Alvarez's book.
Dr Alvarez emails us prior to the start of each diet phase change. We are able to contact him with any questions we have.

The hospital is not new & modern so if that's what is important to you, you'll be disappointed. However, it's clean, quiet, & staffed with nurses who are there for your needs and not to do required paperwork. If we needed pain medication, they came right back with it. We never had to wait.
I found it funny that as patients we didn't have any patient ID bands or anything that designated us as patients (except our hospital gowns and our slow walking in the halls). Most of the nurses don't speak English, but it really was not much of an issue. It gave us a chance to brush up on our rusty Spanish.
Dr. Alvarez has a young lady named Andrea on his staff. She came to check on us a couple of times. She speaks fluent English and is very sweet. She offered to go out to get my mom something for dinner.
Dr. Alvarez really has a great group of people on staff. It was a pleasure meeting all of them. We actually plan on going down just to visit at some point.

Good luck to everyone getting or considering surgery. You can't go wrong with choosing Dr. Alvarez as your VSG surgeon. He's fantastic.

It was unbelievable how organized they were , how quickly everything went and how wonderful everyone was from Rosie the driver to all the Nurses. Dr Alvarez was amazing as were the other drs that assisted him. They made sure I was comfortable the entire time . They don't mess around and make you wait for anything . I arrived and spoke with dr Alvarez and immediately had my blood work and X-rays done and surgery immediately after that! It was all so quick! Dr Alvarez and Susan have answered every email I have made to them so quickly and made my post surgery time so much better! They are all amazing and I would and have recommended Dr Alvarez to everyone.

Great Experience with no complications. The office and medical staff did a great job and Dr. Alvarez goes above and beyond with his care. My wife was with me and the staff escorted her to local restaurants. The area is safe and the people are very pleasant. I would highly recommend Dr. Alvarez!

I felt very comfortable and safe the entire time I left San Antonio with Rosie until I was released 2 days later to drive home. Dr Alvarez and his staff were very kind and professional- the rooms were clean and comfortable. I'm a nurse, so I checked it all out! I have nothing negative to say. Susan has answered every email (and they are many!) in a timely manner and has been so kind and helpful as she is a VSG patient herself. I would recommend Dr. Alvarez to my loved ones, I have that much confidence in him. I have had minimal pain - I awoke from surgery and had none! My tiny incisions have healed beautifully and I'm feeling great! If you have any doubts or fears, I can say from experience that going to Piedras Negras, Mexico to have Dr. Guillermo Alvarez perform Bariatric surgery is very safe and a great experience!!! Can't say enough about how great it was!!!

I can understand the hesitation of going out of country for VSG surgery because of preconceived or unfounded notions. My experience with Dr. Guillermo Alvarez has been astonishing and so unlike my experiences with physicians and surgeons stateside.

First, the personal contact with Dr. Alvarez's staff from my initial inquiry has been amazing, consistent, personable and highly informative. The incredible patient education via You-Tube made all the difference for me and elevated my comfort level. His personal Q&A as well as the testimony of his patients put all my fears at ease. His attentive care for you is reflected in every detail of your encounter from the moment you are picked up at the hotel to the moment you are returned following surgery and recovery.

The morning of surgery was very tranquil with meeting and conferring with Dr. Alvarez as soon as we arrived at the medical center, his staff assistants were very friendly, respectful and informative with any questions or concerns. Lab work and ex-ray were done with great skill and promptness, no waiting. The rooms are immaculate and comfortable.

Having both Dr. Alavarez and Dr. Rosales visit several times following surgery and the following day was a bonus as I experienced their sincere concern and availability to me as their patient. The nursing staff is optimal and compassionately attentive, making sure that I was comfortable and in no pain.

The discharge patient education was excellent and a real confidence-builder as I felt better equipped to continue my journey to good health and well-being with my new tool: a gastric sleeve. Dr. Alvarez's post-op follow-up has been very good and always encouraging.

Today is the fourth week since my surgery, I have lost 35 lbs. since surgery for a total of 108 lbs. since the pre-op diet. I can't argue with success! So, I wholeheartedly recommend and encourage anyone who has been struggling with obesity, particularly morbid obesity (as myself) to seek out and trust Dr. Guillermo Alvarez. You shall not regret it and be grateful to yourself for finally taking that step to your own wellness and optimal health with the aid of the skill and talent of Dr. Alvarez and his entire staff. Thank you, Dr. Alvarez!

DR Alvarez is the best and I sincerely mean that. He and his staff of doctors are incredible and are some of the most professional doctors I have ever witnessed. I would also say that his staff and the hospital staff are wonderful. I was well cared for the whole time I was there. From the moment I walked through the door and met Dr Alvarez, I felt confident that I was going to be okay. You see, I was there alone. Most patients have a family member or friend with them for support, I didn't. Fortunately, another patient's family decided to take on that role and made sure I was okay throughout my stay. The surgery went without a hitch as far as I felt. Dr. Alvarez works with 3 other doctors and it seemed as though one of the doctors including Dr Alvarez, was in the hospital checking on patients 2 or 3 times a day. Not to mention his staff being at the hospital at all times making sure we were all cared for. I was comfortable throughout my stay, which was all of Friday, all of Saturday, and discharged on Sunday. When you get ready to leave, Dr Alvarez makes sure you are ready and in doing so he provides you with needed medications and detailed instructions. Dr. Alvarez is a gift from God. The work he does for the obese population so we can improve our lives and experience much improved health is his calling. I got my life back and the money I spent to accomplish this by having the VSG surgery I consider an investment in the bank. It will allow me to continue my work and enjoy more that life has to offer. I 60 years old, and am 4 weeks post surgery. I started the pre-surgery diet 7 weeks ago and so far I have lost 54 lbs with a goal of at least 100, I am over half way there and I feel great. To anyone considering this surgical option, I can only say that Dr. Alvarez is the best. I also cannot go without mention of Rosie. Rosie is the driver who takes you from San Antonio to Eagle Pass and then into Piedras Negras (sp) and then back after discharge. I will just say that she is also a great member of the Dr's staff and a vital link in this whole process. Be safe.

Our first impression of Dr. Alvarez was great! He was very nice, and informative. We were nervous about going to Mexico! The media doesn't help. Rosey was awesome! She put us at ease from the start! When we arrived and met with Dr. A and some of his staff, he went over everything and let me ask all the questions I had. After surgery the Drs and nurses were very helpful and concerned. The morning nurse Andrea was soooo great to me and my wife. My wife was scared to leave me and was scared to go out. Andrea went and got her something to eat and her bedside manner was the best! Our afternoon nurse was great too! He knew his stuff and was very helpful and sweet! They understood that we had no clue period! Lol. Jessica was great too, but she worked the night shift so we didn't see her as much as the others. Dr. A and his surgeon assistants were great about checking on us and answering all the questions we had. After we got back home we really liked to be able to email the Dr directly. He has been great to get right back with us. The surgery has helped me a lot. I have lost about 45lbs already. It is strange not eating a huge plate full, but I am getting use to it. We have to say something about Susan! She is who you will be in contact with before surgery and honestly, not sure it would have happened without her knowledge and support! Overall it has been great, it is definitely a life style change but totally worth it!

My Name is Juan from Texas.
Today October 13, 2013 has been exactly one month since I had my surgery done.
As I entered Mexico for the first time in my life, I was a little nervous not knowing anyone and specially going for an operation.
As we entered the hospital and met with Dr. Alvarez, I new at that moment that everything was going to be OK.
Having my wife with me through this process made things easier, this was something that I was exited to find out when I started thinking about going to Mexico for surgery.
Dr. Alvarez is very caring and was with me from the day of my surgery till I checked out. All day long.
Staff was excellent too, checking me up day and night, even in the middle of the night to the point where I wanted to tell them to let me sleep (during the night)
So far two members of my family plus my self have done this procedure and I would do it again in a heart beet if I had to knowing the care that I received from Dr. Alvarez and his team.
As far as the surgery, pain is tolerable with minimum pain after leaving hospital. Dr. will give you allot more medication, more then you'll probably need as I stopped taking my a couple of days after I got home.
It will be uncomfortable, heartburn and learning your new stomach as it takes time since your brain has been communicating with your big stomach all of your life will be part of the process. Its up to you to learn how much you can it with a much smaller one and when to stop eating. As Dr. Alvarez always says on his radio show "Listen to your sleeve people"
This is a long term process but great investment for your health and your new rewarding life style. So far I have lost 35-lbs with my goal of 90-lbs. I know I will be getting allot of new clothes this year for Christmas ;o)
If you have lost all hopes of loosing weight on your own and cant take it anymore, this will be the best you can do for your self.
Dr. Alvarez have changed my life after years of hating my self when looking in a mirror.

I am one month post-VGS with Dr. Alvarez. I'd had the Lap-Band done in Tijuana in 2004 but had so many problems with it that I'd had it removed last year 2012. The experience going to Piedras Negras was so much better! Rosy picked us up at the hotel in Eagle Pass TX and took us across the boarder, no problems what-so-ever. Dr. Alvarez met us and spoke to each of us individually in his office. He didn't give the feeling that he was on a time crunch, answered all questions as if his entire day revolved around making sure the person seated in front of him was completely comfortable and satisfied. His entire staff seemed to operate the same way from day one to check-out. Dr. A reviewed what he expected to find, what the procedure was, made sure it was understood that our health and well-being was his first and foremost priority and that if he found that not doing the surgery was best it was a possibility.

The room I was assigned was small but complete with private bathroom, a sofa-bed, and computer as well as a television with a few English channels. The only negative on the computer was trying to get a password, if you have a laptop, you are probably better off bringing that, but that's just my opinion. On cell phones, at the time of my surgery, AT&T didn't have roaming charges, you were charged as if you were still in TX, the other carriers had hefty fee's and sent you a text stating as much.

My surgery was Friday, Saturday one of Dr. Alvarez's staff took me to the open air market for some shopping. Not implying that this is offered to everyone routinely but since I'd gone to Mexico alone, the staff member offered to chaperon my trip to the market if it made me feel more comfortable since I don't speak Spanish well.

Sunday I walked the halls of the hospital, knitted, walked, knitted, walked etc. Walk walk walk, best way to feel better.

Monday morning my drain tube was removed prior to Rosy taking myself and another couple back across the boarder to TX. Not everyone gets a drain tube but because I'd had a lot of scaring from my previous surgeries it was required. Again, no problems going back across the boarder, just showed my passport card, took about 2 minutes for the van to get through.

The most surprising thing (happy surprise) is the fact that when I had my Lap Band done, once I left Tijuana (sp) that was it, I never heard from that doctor or his staff again, not so with Dr. Alvarez. I was released on Monday morning, stayed at the hotel in Eagle Pass that night just as a precaution. Tuesday I made the 6 hour drive home. When I got home, not only was there email from Susan, there was snail mail from Dr. Alvarez! As each phase of the post-op diet was completed, I'd get another email with an attachment of the next phase of the diet and asking how I was doing and if I had any concerns. (You are sent the entire diet BEFORE your surgery.) I wasn't having acid reflux problems but man oh man the heart burn was horrible. Dr. Alvarez wrote back and gave me three options for OTC medications that I could choose from and how he wanted me to take them. (Different from the package) and bingo, first one on his list worked perfect. Once your surgery is done, you are not left alone to figure things out. Every time I saw the doctor, he made it very clear that the success of my surgery largely depended on how well I was willing to follow and accept the after-care. If you are not ready to commit to completely giving over just one month of your life's food choices and really following the after-care diet, then rethink having the surgery. Better to be prepared to follow the post-op diet for a month even though its a major head annoyance at times and live and be healthy than to talk yourself into thinking you're miserable and cheating and risking death over something so trivial as food.

Having had the Lap Band for 8 years, I know the small amounts of food that I will eat now that I am back on real food again can be tricky on the mind.... you feel full after eating less than a two year old, your taste buds seem to change, your mind says you have to eat more... yes its an adjustment but man are the results worth it. If I'd had it to do over again, I'd have done the VGS the first time and I wish I'd known about Dr. Alvarez.

I had VSG surgery in Mexico with Dr. Alvarez on September 12th, 2013. I could not be happier with my choice to have this surgery in Mexico with this highly skilled and very caring surgeon. Every part of my trip went smoothly. I got off the plane in San Antonio, Tx. From there, Rosie (Dr. Alvarez's driver and cousin) picked me and another young lady up and drove us about 2 hours to a small boarder town called Eagles Pass. We stayed the night there in a nice hotel with very comfy beds and a nice pool. The next morning Rosie picks you back up and takes you about a mile across the boarder to Dr. Alvarez's office where he goes over the procedure with you and discusses any concerns you may have. Then you go get bloodwork done, get weighed, and have a chest xray. I was then taken to my room and hooked to an IV. The nurse gave me something to relax me, and I woke up and my surgery was done! The hospital is a little older than what you may be used to but it was extremely clean and the nurses were very polite and attentive. Not like nurses here. When you ask for pain medicine they bring it immediately. Most dont speak english but they do know enough to understand when you need pain medicine. There is always someone there to translate for you, this would be Jessica or Jesus. Dr. Alvarez came and checked on me daily. He was so kind and comforting. Im glad I went with my gut on this one. Even after I got home he still emails me...example..a couple days ago I had a minor issue with one of my incisions. I emailed him directly and within 10 minutes later he responded. You do not get that kind of help from any Doctor I know of here. If you are considering going to Mexico I highly reccomend Dr. Alvarez. P.s. no I was not compensated to write this :-)