Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

If you are considering VSG surgery, look no further! I know there are a lot of surgeons out there but I just can't say enough about how absolutely engaging, reassuring and talented Dr. Alvarez really is. In my opinion, having Dr. Alvarez and his staff perform my VSG was one of the best decisions I have made in my life.

From the moment I first contacted the office to now, almost 6 weeks post surgery, my impression of Dr. Alvarez and his entire staff is one of extreme professionalism and immense compassion.

Right from the start, Susan responded to my emails quickly and always provided me with the answers I was looking for in a concise manner and helped to calm my nerves. Getting everything arranged to fly from Canada to have my surgery in Mexico was simple. Susan and the office looked after the majority of it and I just had to get a flight into San Antonio.

I went on Dr. Alvarez's YouTube channel and watched all of his videos about the surgery. It was like sitting in a room talking with him so I felt like I knew him already. I would recommend this to anyone considering surgery.

When we (my sister had the surgery too) finally arrived in Piedras Negras we met Dr. Alvarez and right away I felt at ease. He answered all of my questions and I just had a feeling come over me that everything was going to be alright.

I really liked how he had an extensive pre-op diet and provided me with the post-op diet expectations for 5 weeks BEFORE I had my surgery. I knew EXACTLY what to expect and things pretty much played out as Dr.Alvarez laid it out in both his book and in the literature that was emailed to me.

The hospital was a little better than I had actually expected. Our room had recently been redone and was very comfortable. The only problem was they were still replacing the tile floors in the hallway so the construction noise I must admit was a little annoying. The only other suggestion I would make is that the shocks in the van that transports you over to Mexico get an overhaul! :-) The road is a bit rough and while on the way over it`s okay...the ride back was a little more of an issue. I feel for Rosy the driver...she does the drive everyday!

The entire surgical staff came into my room prior to surgery to greet me and was in our room multiple times a day while we were recovering. Even the anesthesiologist came in every day after surgery! I`m sorry I forget his name but he was wonderful too...as were all the doctors and nurses. I can honestly say I don`t remember seeing the doctor that much at a hospital here in Canada...let alone a whole crew of them!

I really enjoyed talking with Dr. Alvarez`s young bilingual staff that stayed to help us out with whatever we needed and who acted as translators in the evening when we were under the care of the nursing staff who didn`t speak English. Again...too many drugs to remember their names...but they were awesome and do a wonderful job!

So..the surgery went well...and I have been thrilled to say that I have had no complications. I am now back in Canada and when I encounter an issue I send Dr. Alvarez an email and he responds really promptly. It`s probably seems strange to say that I do feel like I have excellent aftercare considering my surgeon is in Mexico and I am in Canada...but I really do.

I truly feel like Dr.Alvarez has given me the jump start to improve the quality of my health and my life. It`s not a decision I entered into lightly and I am so grateful I took the time to seek out Dr. Alvarez. I felt confident going into surgery with Dr. Alvarez and still feel confident that he will be available to me as I continue on my journey.

Please feel free to personal message me on OH if you would like me to answer any more specific questions for you.

Good luck making your decision.

Renee

Simple put: Dr. Alvarez is THE BEST and is a very caring and skilled surgeon. The Endobariatric clinic has their act together. I had been planning and researching VSG surgery for a couple of years before I found Dr. Alvarez and the Endobariatric Clinic in Piedras Negras, Mexico. I had tried to get coverage from US Insurance and I had visited a couple of local weight loss programs in New Orleans. What I found was that I was not covered by ANY insurance, even switching carriers. So, i signed up for a local Bariatric center and began taking some nutrition classes. I paid $350 out of pocket at the end of the classes to speak to a nice young doctor for literally eight minutes and all the while, he was shuffling papers and he only once looked at me. That made me EXTREMELY uncomfortable and I felt lost, upset, at a brick wall. Then, I contacted Endobariatric because I had heard good things and read them online. As it turned out, Dr. Alvarez is also on Twitter and he responded to a couple of my questions - as did the patient organizer, Susan George (who is also awesome!). I was impressed that I received such quick, well-written, and clear answers from some people who didn't know if I was going to be a patient or not. Later, I tried to schedule surgery and tried financing, but I just didn't have enough money to make it that year. They still kept in touch with me even tough I put them through a false alarm about having surgery that summer. So, THIS year I was able to do it. Once I made my initial deposit and actually scheduled the surgery (which happened May 14), I began regular contact with the team and was feeling great about going to Mexico. It was my friends who questioned this. I could not convince them enough to stop assuming "the worst" for a medical trip to Mexico. One of my friends who had already had the surgery came with me and she was VERY impressed with everything there. If any of your friends try to convince you to NOT go to Mexico for surgery, try not to let them sway your decision if you have already made it.
I was impressed with EVERY aspect of the program. It really helps that it is a package that includes hotel and transportation. Everything ran smoothly, very smoothly. From the moment of pickup at the airport to the hotel to meeting Rosantina the driver, the drive, the hotels, getting across the border, tests and morning of surgery, surgery, recovery.....it was all easy. There is nothing that could have been better except the bumpy ride back to San Antonio and the clinic even gave me a pillow to help with that. I also want to say that in ALL of my doctor care here in the USA, I have never received such personal and caring care from any of my doctors except one who happens to be a bass in my church choir, LOL. Dr. Alvarez was completely awesome. Dr. Rosales, a surgeon and his assistant, was also awesome, I met and talked with the anesthesiologist and he was terrific. ALL the nurses were superb and if they did not understand my question, they immediately went and brought back someone who did so they could answer it. The room was excellent and large, the incisions are small and have been healing very well. My friend who came with me also noticed and commented about how efficient the whole process was and how she saw that the whole clinic and hospital had everything down to an art. Dr. Alvarez has done over 4500 of the VSG procedures and he is THE expert. There is no doubt.
If you're seeking VSG surgery and are not covered by your insurance, and you are looking in Mexico, remember the following:
- $8700 is a great deal (2013)
- hotels and transportation from San Antonio included
- EXCELLENT CARE
- You are respected as the patient
- The team has a good sense of humor
- Aftercare is actually quick and good with easy access to Dr. Alvarez via email and Twitter and phone. While you're not physically near each other, questions can be answered and advice given for you to take to your PCP.
- Discharge medicines are included along with detailed instructions
- The clinic has their act together
- The facilities are good, do NOT be afraid. It was very clean, the same medical instruments are used as here in the US
- If the very worst or some kind of complication happens (which I do not think actually has ever happened, but I don't know), you area mile from the US and within easy reach of an Eagle Pass Hospital
- There is a very detailed food plan that everyone has after the surgery and many are different from surgeon to surgeon. Dr. Alvarez emails each patient individually every week, asking if there are any questions and concerns and gives us a reminder of our food plans etc.
- Dr. Alvarez is an INTERNATIONAL surgeon of EXCELLENCE so it doesn't really matter where he is located, I highly recommend his talents and his team.
Questions? Please ask them. Heck, ask me too since I'm a fan. [email protected]
Good luck to you wherever you are in your personal journey!
Caroline in NOLA

I was nervous about the surgery. I had support every step of the way. How often do you email for help /support /questions to your Dr's office and get an answer EACH time within a few minutes? With Dr Alvarez : EACH time!
I was nervous about going to Mexico to have the operation. We all have heard about drug wars and other scary news. All was PERFECT. Never saw or heard anything. There was absolutely ZERO reasons to be nervous!!!!
I was nervous being operated by a Mexican team. Dr Alvarez and his team were so KNOWLEDGEABLE and PROFESSIONAL and so KIND and PATIENT and and and... I have only good words to say!!!
I was nervous about the post op questions because they are so far. Again ALL questions/concerns are answered within MINUTES!!
So why oh why was I ever nervous or hesitant??? Do NOT waste your precious years in fear and low self esteem and low confidence!!! GO!!!
I have only one regret : I did not meet DrAlvarez 20 years ago...!

I was interested in getting the sleeve surgery & my niece had told me about a doctor in Mexico that was doing them for a reasonable price. I went online and brought up his website and was very pleased to see how informative it was along with so many great reviews of Dr. Alvarez and his former patients. I called their number and began my journey of losing weight and a better quality of life. I spoke with Susan, who was very courteous and informative of Dr. Alvarez procedures.
Upon my surgery date, I drove down to Eagle Pass to have my surgery. The next morning, Rosa, who is Dr. Alvarez driver that picks you up at the hotel, was very nice & friendly. She drove us across the border and dropped us off at Dr. A's office. Where we were greeted by Dr. Alvarez & his staff, I was very impressed with how friendly everyone was & how Dr. Alvarez made you feel at home & welcomed, he talks with you & explains what will happen & goes over any questions you might have. His office staff, Thank God for them, they helped my husband so much in anything that he might have needed, the main thing being the language barrier when it came to eating, they would go with him to help him figure that out, so he didn't go hungry, LOL.
There was a question asked in this survey, what did I like least about Dr. A, I can honestly say I do not have an answer for that, because I was so pleased with him. If you are considering this surgery with Dr. A, I would HIGHLY recommend him.
Dr. Alvarez, is very informative with you & goes over all of it, the before surgery, during, and aftercare, and as long as you do what your suppose to do you will have a great outcome.
I was asked to give Dr. Alvarez an overall rating, well I surely can put him very high on the rankings, on a scale of 1-10, for sure a 9.99, YES he is that good!
I cannot Thank Dr. A enough for what he has done for me and my life, I am only 6 weeks Post-op, upon writing this review, and to me the surgery is already a great success, just in how I feel in my health has been a tremendous change & that's only losing 28 pounds, & to think I have so much more to go, just imagine how I'll feel when I lose more weight.
Overall this has been a journey that I DO NOT regret in any way, the whole experience & trip was a great success & I am so PLEASED with Dr. Alvarez and his staff for everything.

I cannot say enough great things about Dr. Alvarez and his team!! One cannot go wrong with picking him as your surgeon. Do not even be concerned about going out of the country for your surgery. It was so easy and convenient! He and his staff are 100% fluent in English. They take total care of you and whom ever you bring with you. It's like always having a personal concierge at your disposal.

Dr. Alvarez is very friendly and personable. Easy to talk to about concerns and questions. He and his surgical Associates check in on you several times a day. There is someone available to you 24 hours a day. He does have a structured aftercare diet that must be followed for your own good. He checks in with you at the start of every phase. He and his staff are quick to answer any questions. Aside from his excellent credentials I picked Dr. Alvarez because of his Patient Coordinator, Susan. She got back to me ASAP with any questions or concerns. When I first started out on this journey, I contacted a couple of surgeons. Susan answered my questions the same day. The other Offices I had to contact a couple of times before they finally sent a generic health form. I knew right away I would be treated personally and professionally with Dr. Alvarez.

I rate him a 10 out of 10 and I wish I could see him for any or all surgical/medical needs!

I received Dr. Alvarez's name from my neighbor. I am such a conservative person that the thought of having
surgery in Mexico was so far out of my comfort zone. I started doing my research and found lots of positive
experiences.
The pre op nurse was very helpful and informative. I decided to take a leap of faith and schedule my procedure. My experience could not have been any better. From the driver, Rosie, to the staff and the accommodations. My neighbor could not have been any more correct when she described it as "a well oiled machine." There was not any question the staff did not have an answer for. Dr Alvarez came by multiple times to check on me. When I asked Dr. Alvarez for anything, he made it happen immediately. Then, his partner would come and follow up in 30 minutes to ensure I had relief from issue. Dr. Alvarez's staff was so professional and very well trained. The format they laid out was exactly what they said. The hospital was so clean. The follow up has been unbelievable. Dr Alvarez has emailed me for each phase change and promptly responded to any question I have had. I could not have asked for a better experience.

I found DR Alvarez thur a co worker who had went to him a year ago, after my insurance denied me for the sleeve i looked for a safe affordable option, so after some very quick emails back and for to Susan Geroge RN, I was set up with in a week for surgery, and any question I asked no matter how personal, it was answered and answered quick, So once in Mexico I git to meet with Dr A, who by the way was way slimmer then his online picture, he was very kind and a very happy man, easy to deal with, nice office, he answered all my last minute questions and off to hospital we went, It was an older hospital but very clean and nice, and Eery one was very nice! Dr A and his assistant DR were so attentive and always kind, The whole procedure was quick and pretty much painless! Surgery was on a Saturday Morning and I flew Home To PA on monday, now a little more then a monthe out I am 19 lbs down from surgery and 25lbs fromm start of liquid diet 10 days befor my surgery! It has been a great journey!

I had my gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. Alvarez about a month ago. It was the best decision I ever made. Before the surgery I use to weigh 270lbs and I'm down to 230lbs in just a month. I've lost 40lbs so far, I have so much energy. I can go out with my 4 year old without being in so much pain in my knees and feet. Dr. Alvarez and his staff are so professional and caring. They care about your every need, I felt safe with all my questions and concerns being answered. The hospital stay was comfortable, you have nurses constantly checking on you throughout your stay. The surgery was pain free. I'm so glad my sister referred me to such a wonderful doctor, I actually felt like I was back home, getting my surgery done in Virginia. Thanks to the best doctor in Mexico.

Dr. Alvarez and the entire Endobariatric staff are second to none! My fiance and i both have had VSG procedure. She had hers done on May 12, 2012 and mine was a year later on April 11, 2013. Like any other patients, we had concerns about traveling to Mexico! We did our homwork, researched it, and talked to several of his patients and could not find one negative comment! Scheduling the sugery was very simple and easy! The care we recieved at the hospital was far better than any i have recived in the states! The best part of this whole experiance his the "service after the sale"! I recieve regular e-mails from Dr. Alvarez checking in on me and encouraging me! I also have e-mailed him on a couple occasions with questions and he has always responded promptly with an answer! Dont think when you leave Mexico you are on your own because you are not! If you are thinking about weight loss surgery i highly recomend Dr. Alverez!!!! He saved my LIFE!!!!

Where to start!!?? I'm heather &I'm 27 yrs old ..starting weight of 347lbs I was diagnosed with pcos at age 16 .... (skipping time)....I'm not gonna go into detail about all of my journeys with weightloss because we all knw it AINT EASY..but what I willl tell you is that lije everyother over weight person I was depressed..no energy borderline diabetic and just health steadily going down hill....so ur asking yourself why do I go to mexico?..why should I choose dr.alvarez? Is the hospital clean?am I going to be safe in mexico? Typicall questions right!!?? I was sleeved by dr. Alvarez on april 22, 2013..and I would do it over again this min..I got all tbe questions of the y go to mexico aren't you scared do you understand what you are doing.?? I got all these questions all the time and I will first hand tell you this..you are going to THE BEST bariatric doctor in the world and he just happens to be in mexico..you are not going to find the care, cleanliness.sencereist people anywhere else in the states ..the whole staff is just wonderful...they make you feel comfortable and are very nice and I will never be able to put into words how happy I was with my experience with dr.A..my weight at april 2, 2013 was 347 pounds my weigh day of surgery 307pounds today I am one month post op today is may 22, 2013 and I weigh 270 ..total weight loss of 77 lbs I feel great!!! If you would like to personally contactme with any questions my email is [email protected]. don't be scared to contact me...Other than adopting my 2 children dr alvarez is the next best decision I have ever made in my life..and I'm positive you will feel the same once you commit to a healthier lifestyle and allowing dr.alvarez and his staff to be you friends/ doctors/ nurses.