Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

Not only have I found the perfect Dr and staff but I found my saviour. I was a little nervous af first going to Mexico but even before I had met Dr. Alvarez I knew he would be the one to give me another chance at life. His staff was amazing not just to me but also to my husband everything went just as planned. Rosy was amazing the drive from hotel to Mexico was a breeze. All I can say to him is THANK YOU!!

I can't say enough good things about my surgeon and the overall experience of having the VSG performed in Mexico.

Like many people, my insurance will not pay for weight management. As I was going to be self pay, I started looking at my options. Visiting various WLS communities online and doing research about the cost here in the states, I noticed how many people from around the world were opting to go to Mexico for the surgery. Ask I continued reading and researching Dr. Alvarez' name kept coming up, along with another physician on the western coast of Mexico. I chatted with patients of both, talked with their offices, and started talking about it with my wife.

Like any other person, I ran into comments about going to Mexico. Let me tell you, I would not have done anything differently! I chose Dr. Alvarez because of his dedication to his patients, before during and after the surgery? His efforts to educate you, whether your his patient or not, surpasses any that I've ever received in the US. There are Q&A videos on YouTube.com, he does a weekly radio program, he actually responds to your emails, the list goes on. Once my wife started listening to the radio programs, she, too, became convinced this was the right choice for me.

There was never a time we were concerned about our safety during this trip! The staff at the hospital were all very professional and attentive. Dr. Alvarez' provides bi-lingual assistants to be there for you 24 hrs a day. They not only for you, the patient, but for whomever accompanies you, if you choose to bring someone.

As I started off by saying, I can't say enough good things. Dr. Alvarez is a wonderful surgeon and the team he's assembled is by far the best in their field. I'm 5 weeks post surgery, and 70 lbs lost! I thank God every night for leading me to Dr. Alvarez!

Thorne Barbour

I had a very great experiance. My surgery was May 30, 2013 as of today date July 21, 2013 I have lost 42 lbs. I was taken great care of by Dr. Alvarez and his team of doctors. I would not change a thing, the nurses where great. I recommend Dr. Alvarez to do your surgery if you are considering having it done.

Thanks
Renee_34

Very nice and knowledgeable. Better looking in person and he already was very handsome. His entire staff is very good, very attentive. It was a very good experience, I recommend it highly. He personally sends an Email or a card to follow up. Since I am older it has been harder in the amount of weight loss as opposed to someone younger. It is taking longer and going slower than I had hoped. Still very glad I had it done.

I first found Dr. Guillermo Alvarez while researching physicians here in the U.S. Many people in my area have surgery in Edmond, OK which has an awesome reputation, but my costs were going to be much higher there. My insurance does not cover weight loss surgery of any kind, but you are still required to do pre-op testing that insurance companies require such as: Sleep Study to see if you have sleep apnea, a current EGD to ck stomach, an ECHO to assess for heart abnormalities, a psychological evaluation, a nutritionist appt, etc. I found that my costs would have been approx $19,000 total which is well over twice what I paid for my surgery, plus I would have to do the follow-ups with the doctor in Edmond, OK which is a 4hr drive for me. I completed a lengthy health history via email and received confirmation from the doctor that he did not need me to complete any of those above pre-op tests, unless myself and personal physcian felt it necessary. I have had all those tests except the sleep study, before and nothing indicated a problem that wasn't already addressed. I love the fact that the doctor or the nurse cks with you and your other follow-ups can be with your own personal physician. I kept running across video clips that he had done for patient teaching, videos with he and his patients and his patients video and comment and was very impressed. It made me search further to ck his complication rates, deaths if any, etc. and to ck the area out. I was a little nervous about having surgery in Mexico, but due to the location of the hospital being less than a mile across the border and with the transportation provided, I felt confident. My sister told me she actually felt "safer" on the Mexico side than on the Texas side where we were. The hotels was very nice and the staff there were very accomodating. She did some walking to stores, etc. and said she felt a little nervous in Eagle Pass, TX with cars with men that would slow down and stare. While I was in the hospital, she and another pt's mother went together to eat meals and to the convenience store and said she didn't feel unsafe at all. I am also a member of the Endobariatric.com Facebook page which is a closed group which means that my interaction on that page does not show in my newsfeeds. I am a Registered Nurse, so doctor/pt interaction is very important to me. He also has an awesome office nurse, Susan, who is extremely helpful as well as physician colleagues involved with your care and all speak great english and made rounds frequently the first 36hous, then Dr. Alvarez continued to make rounds several times per day as well throughout my stay. I was impressed by the amount of info I received both pre-op and post-op as well as his book. There were also bilingual staff that were there just to help interpret for the nursing staff when needed and also showed my sister where there were close restaurants and convenience stores if needed. I happened to arrive there during some flooding, so the interpreter staff could not be there due to impassable roads the first 24hrs, but Dr. Alvarez or his colleagues came around about every 2 hours to assess needs. The first 24hrs post-op there were scheduled IV meds every 6hrs and continuous IV fluids, so no excessive pain and walking frequently relieved most of the gas pain. The doctor speaks fluent english as well as spanish and gives his own discharge instructions to you with ample question and answer time. I receive emails with each phase of my diet change and info for my personal physician here as well.
He also has a van and driver, Rosie, that was awesome! She picked us up at San Antonio, TX after flight arrival and drove us to Eagle Pass, TX approx 2 1/2hrs away where we spent the night and were picked up the next day and taken to the doctor's offc for pre-op exam and discussed risks and benefits of surgery, then was taken to the hospital for pre-op lab and x-ray, then awaited surgery. The procedure does not take long, but my sister said she was kept abreast of my progress and he spoke to her afterwards. My biggest fear is that I have a very significant Latex allergy and have not had any surgery that required me to be intubated since I developed that allergy. The doctor assured me there would be no Latex in the operating room, but did have to keep reminding nursing staff of my allergy and had them remove the latex gloves from my room. There were a couple of times they wore the gloves to give IV meds and start IV, but my sister and I carefully washed my hands and areas they touched with the gloves after contact. Once the bilingual staff were there, there was no further issue. I just happened to be there at an unusual time with the flooding that was going on around us. I know that a 5-star rating may be hard to believe, but I personally had a great experience and would highly recommend Dr. Alvarez to family and friends.

OMG! I loved my experience in Mexico with Dr. Alvarez as my Bariatric Surgeon! He is professional, knowledgable, and such a kind surgeon. I read his book before going to Mexico, so I felt I knew his professional demeanor….He was always available for questions. I had two of the kindness, well read translators available to me 24 hours a day. The aftercare program was very structured therefore making the experience easier. The whole experience from leaving Eagle Pass in a safe van, crossing the boarder and checking into the hospital was so much easier than I had imagined. I never felt threatened whatsoever about crossing the border. Rosie, the van driver was very competent and I felt quite safe! The American media has ruined our images of Mexico. If you are planning Gastric Sleeve surgery, do your research. You will find Dr. Alvarez rated as one of the BEST surgeons for this procedure…..

Dr. Alvarez,

I just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you. Even though I am some time away from my "goal" weight, I am still very pumped and motivated about what is to come. I really just want to say thanks for the awesome bedside manner, and care you and your medical staff provided. Please thank the other MD's for me, especially Dr. Gabe, he is an amazing Dr. along with the anesthesiologist.

Susan, was just amazing. I like to think of myself as an organized person, that likes to have all his ducks in a row. The written and verbal instructions, and guidance Susan provided was absolutely above and beyond. Her responding to questions promptly via e-mail makes it really seem as her life is dedicated to her job. She responded to me at late hours of the night, and even weekends! The Endobariatric team is very lucky to have her.

Please thank the nursing staff for me, as they were very attentive and caring, with above par bedside manner as well. I really appreciate all of their attentiveness, and calm demeanor. It is quite obvious they have passion for what they do.

Also, please thank Jessica and Andrea for me. I really appreciate them being there, serving as intermediaries between my father and I, and the Endobariatric staff. They were both very caring, and great at what they do. The best part of them being there was simply being able to have a chat with them. Just being able to talk with them, about things other than the surgery or the weight loss was a HUGE help in the healing process.

Overall, I must say that every single person on the Endobariatric Team, felt as if they were family. I have NEVER received this sort of service from any medical personnel in the United States, or abroad. That caring feeling you guys provide is simply put, unbeatable. Whenever I tell people about my experience W/ Dr. Alavarez and staff, the first thing I will always say, is "They make you feel like family".

Thank you again Dr. Alvarez, and I look forward to a lifelong relationship of status updates, and patient reunions. God bless you, and may God bless the Endobariatric staff.


Respectfully,

Omar Ruiz

Dr Alvarez and his team are very professional. I felt better taken care of in Mexico than I was in the US. Crossing the border was simple and event free. All the accommodations were clean and worry free. Would recommend him to anyone.

my first impression of Dr.Alvarez was that he had just such a positive out look of life, future patients should know that Dr. Alvarez is one of the most professional Doctors I have ever encountered with. The aftercare was so beyond amazing, there was always a nurse or a staff member near by. The first time I met him the first thing I asked was what were the risks of surgery and he told that my health risks were higher if I didn't get this surgery done which totally made sense. Over all I rate him and my experience 5 stars. This surgery was the best thing I could have done and there hasn't been one day one of regret in my decision!

After researching sleeve surgery, doctors and Mexico, I chose Dr. G Alvarez in Piedras Niedras, Mexico. I went to Mexico June 6, 2013 and have absolutely no regrets. It was the best decision I have ever made. I watched all of Dr. Alvarez's videos on you tube and felt like I already knew him. My first impression after meeting him in person - just like the guy in the videos. I also read his book on having the sleeve - a must read! It gives you exactly what you need to know before, during and after surgery. Every step is covered in detail.
The trip to Mexico was awesome. Everyone helpful and friendly from the driver, to hotel staff, Dr. Alvarez and his staff to hospital personnel. I went alone but never felt like I was by myself. He has translators there to help you. The hospital was undergoing some renovations that were sometimes annoying, but the results will be great.
The hospital experience was a bit different that in the US. The doctors come in an assess you several times a day, not the nurses. Here in the states, you might see the doctor once a day and the nurses do everything.
The accommodations from the hotels to the hospital were very comfortable. All your needs are met.
Surgery was so easy. I never had any complications. If I had, the staff and doctor were there to take care of them. Follow up after I got home has been great. The doctor and his staff are easy to get in touch with to answer questions. He also has a support group on facebook, obesity chat on Monday night and of course his website.
My experience with Dr. Alvarez has all been positive. The best decision I have ever made.