Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

I am writing a review from two visits to Dr. Guillermo Alvarez. One as a caregiver to a dear friend who made the choice to get a Vertical Sleeve Gasterectomy (VSG) a few years ago, and then as a patient myself to have the VSG this past September, 2011. The first visit, I was on heavy alert because it is over the border, and I like all of the world have heard the stories about border towns and had concerns for the safety of my friend. I was pleasantly surprised the first time. Piedras Negras is a quiet town right off of Eagle Pass, Texas. Both trips were very uneventful which is great! His offices are right off the hospital. His rooms have been designed for his patients and staff. The nurses of the hospital speak Spanish, but he has an English speaking nurse on duty while you are there and if you have any questions. There are some times when the English speaking Nurse is not there but I believe is accessible if needed. There was a place for the caregiver to sleep, a Futon Type bed, not the most comfortable thing, but really, it wasn't about me as the caregiver, as long as my friend was taken care of. If you are planning to have a visitor with you, and they have back problems or want accomodations, I'm sure Dr. Alvarez can give you some local hotels. The impression I got from Dr. Alvarez was his great attention to detail. I can tell he has worked very hard to accomodate his patients in a way to ease their fear and make them as comfortable as possible. There is something about his demeaner that is unforgettable. He knows what he is doing. He answered the thousand questions I had with facts, knowledge and experience. Why he believes in this surgery, what the risks are (very low I thought) and I felt comfort in his competency and genuine love and concern for each and every one of his patients. I felt that both visits. I live in Florida, and my insurance would have covered my surgery if I did it here, but when I went to a seminar in Florida with a surgeon there, I did not feel as comfortable. I thought because it was close and in the U.S. it would be a better choice, but he did not have the experience or knowledge of Dr. Alvarez. He had only officially performed 5 VSG's because it was a "new procedure" and the Florida Surgeon presented the options he did, Gastric Bypass, Duadenal Switch, Lap Band and Gastric Sleeve. When I asked him which one he would suggest for his patients over the other, he was very non partial. The Florida doctor said he just wants to present all the options and work with me on my decision. I did not like this because I had known people who had complications with Gastric Bypass and I had no desire for that surgery. I knew the risks were greater and that someone has to fight malnutrition for the rest of their lives with the Gastric Bypass. There are serious differences that patients should know when looking at surgery options. I was not happy with the Florida Doctor not giving me these differences. How can someone be impartial and not tell their patients the important differences, like the pyloric valve remaining with VSG. No re routing of my internal "pipes". Those are some biggie differences. I've had years to research these surgeries and other options and I wanted my surgeon to be confident and guide me in what was best. Dr. Alvarez, even though he has performed these surgeries in the past, he felt strongly about the VSG over Bypass or other surgeries, and since Lap Band wasn't for me (no desire for the follow up Dr. visits and needle in the belly fills) I wanted a surgeon who had the experience (Dr. Alvarez' thousands of surgeries vs. Florida Doc's 5) Who believed in what he was doing (not be wishy washy about which option he felt is best. I felt Dr. Alvarez did his homework and believed in something safer and less evasive. Plus I think the last I checked, he is over 3,000 surgeries performed. Needless to say, I chose to go back to Dr. Alvarez in Piedras Negras when I was ready for surgery myself. 7 months ago I had the VSG, I have lost 73 pounds to date and still losing. His book is invaluable! He is welcoming, kind and makes you feel at home! You only spend 2 or 3 days over the Border, and I felt very safe. The room I was in was a little different than my first caregiver experience there, but same decor. He had 2 other surgeons and his offices I believe had expanded since the last time I was there. My husband came with me and I told him of the restaurants that were near, we skyped from our I-phones as he drank Cerveza at the restaurant accross the street, and I was in my hospital bed. After the surgery, they get you walking pretty quickly to reduce the risk of blood clots. They also do a swallow test before you leave the hospital. Some surgeons don't do sewing over the staple line, and some surgeons don't do the swallow test to check for leaks, and I don't understand why. I felt that Dr. Alvarez was taking every precaution and I was glad. I know he wouldn't have let me leave that hospital if there was a problem. The office was excellent on informing me of everything before surgery, follow up at the hospital and post op. Even after leaving the hospital they called me at the hotel in Texas and checked on me to make sure all is well. Not only did he take good care of me, I was there with another friend from Florida. She was there with me to get the surgery, she was in the other room with her visitor and I was in another with my husband as my visitor. She did not get the sugery at that time, because Dr. Alvarez found a growth in her stomach. She was disappointed not to be able to get the surgery but credits him for saving her life. She came back to the states where other doctors had examined her and missed what Dr. Alvarez found. She is healthy today after having the growth removed and credits Dr. Alvarez with saving her life. Another surgeon may have continued to do the surgery, risk rupturing the growth, but he took the safe route and what was best for the patient. I have a tremendous amount of respect professionally and personally having these experiences and would suggest Dr. Alvarez to do your VSG surgery. I trusted my life to him. Thank you so much, and I hope this helps someone in their journey!

Dr Alvarez performed my VSG on March 2, 2012. In these last 8 weeks, I have lost 40 pounds, my blood pressure has dropped from 189/120 to 120/80 (consistently), my Type II diabetes has completely reversed and I no longer require any medications. This procedure has been nothing short of miraculous! I have had no ill effects, my energy level is high and I am excited to get up in the morning. The areas that have been a struggle for me revolve around my own behavior modification and perception. Portion size and eating slowly are still a huge challenge for me. The procedure itself is a tool. What goes on inside my head requires a little more work!

There are risks involved with any surgery and it truly is a very personal choice. It is important to do your research and feel very comfortable with your decision. I did about 4 years worth of research before reaching my decisions - firstly, the type of surgery that was best for me and then who would perform the procedure. Initially, I had hoped to have the operation done in Canada as I thought it would be safer. But once I looked into it further, I realized how far behind the Canadian surgeons were. They are skilled surgeons, but they just did not have the opportunity to practice their craft with this new procedure due to limited funding under Medicare. I had been sitting on a never ending waitlist to have the procedure done in British Columbia. I decided that I had to take matters into my own hands.

I will be honest, I questioned my sanity. The night before my surgery, I remember thinking that I had lost my mind! Here I was going to Mexico to have some random doctor perform major abdominal surgery on me. But I knew once I met with this Dr. ... if it didn't feel right, I would just walk away. There were a number of reasons why I chose Dr. Alvarez such as his accreditation, his track record and the fact that the procedure is done in an actual hospital. He may be a little more expensive than other surgeons in Mexico but I was more than willing to pay that ....and I am so glad I did!

My fears soon evaporated. Dr Alvarez is competent, professional and open. I was immediately at ease. His staff were all highly professional and extremely competent. The hospital was spotless....FAR cleaner than the hospitals in Canada. I felt safe and each and every person involved in my care was exceptional. The surgery itself, took 35 minutes. I was up and walking within a couple of hours. I was able to call my family immediately with the free VOIP phone. It was great to have that immediate communication with my friends and family as I knew they were worried. The friend that accompanied me was also very well taken care of. The staff were very helpful and she had a great time.

One of the major complaints that I read about with this type of surgery is with the gas cramps after surgery. And this is is an example of Dr Alvarez's attention to detail. The gas is injected during the operation and most other doctors leave it for the patient to pass. But Dr. Alvarez uses a special machine that extracts the CO2 before we leave the operating room. No pain!! Not even a little! He is continuously tweaking and taking the steps to make the surgery better for his patients.

As I mentioned, choosing this or any surgery is a very personal choice. For me...this was definitely the best choice. Dr. Alvarez is an exceptional doctor and surgeon. I have no reservations in recommending him to my friends. The entire experience has been amazing! From the moment I contacted Susan to the follow up emails from Dr. Alvarez asking how I am or if I have questions ...nothing could have been better. I am much healthier than I was 2 months ago. I will continue to become healthier and stronger every day. I am so happy to be enjoying a new healthy life. Thank you all so much for helping me change my life!

After researching Bariatric Doctors, some local and some great distances, I decided on Dr. Guillermo Alvarez. His credentials were impressive; as well as, all of the positive testimonials of his former patients. Many of these former patients were in the medical field several were nurses and doctors. If other doctors trusted him to do their surgery, then this really eased my mind. Dr. Alvarez and his staff were absolutely wonderful. I've never had such a good hospital experience as I did in
Piedras Negras, Coahuila Mexico. My husband went with me and Dr. Alvarez's staff helped him navigate. They accompanied him to a near restaurant and helped him order due to the language barrier. Dr. Alvarez is such a sweetheart unlike many of the pretentious U.S. doctors I've met. He treats you like a dear friend even after you have returned home. He is always an email or phone call away. I've never had a U.S. doctor ever give me his personal email address or phone number that I could reach him at any time day or night. As for the surgery, I'm 4 weeks out and I had the Gastric Sleeve procedure done and I've lost 23 pounds which is great, but another great benefit of the surgery is that I'm no longer hot and sweaty all of the time. The morning of surgery I was hot and sweating and Dr. Alvarez said he had good news for me; I wouldn't be hot and sweating after the surgery and he was so right. This has changed my life immensely: I'm no longer self conscience about sweating in front of my clients and I feel so much more presentable. I always look forward to my weekly updates from Dr. Alvarez. I have not had any complications and I contribute that to Dr. Alvarez. Thank you for everything Dr. Alvarez and your wonderful staff.

First of all I would like to start by saying this was a life changing experience, my trip to Dr. Alvarez it was safe, I know a lot of people are scare or concerned about going or having surgery in Mexico. Overall everything is safe upon your arrival at the hotel in eagle pass you are picked up at the day of surgery it's about 5 minute drive to the hospital,when you arrive at the hospital you are greeted by Dr. Alvarez and he sits with you to talk about any questions or concerns you might have of the procedure. The procedure is very safe for me personally it took 40-45 minutes there was no pain or discomfort been my first surgery I assumed pain or discomfort but there was none of that. Also after surgery dr. Alvarez checks up on you frequently to make sure everything is okay. The overall treatment in the hospital was good. Now talking about Dr. Alvarez he is a great doctor, a great person and truly cares about his patiences. Talking to him before the surgery and having my concerns he made me feel at ease and comfortable that everything was going to be okay. Even now that I'm one month out, If I have any questions or concerns, I can email him or call him and he will get back with me to answer my questions or concerns.

Personally I would like to thank Dr. Alvarez for changing my life .
Anybody that is thinking about having this surgery to change their life's I would highly recommend Dr. Alvarez.

Where to begin....Dr Alvarez and Dr Gabe were AMAZING!!! They were so attentive and there anytime a question came up. Their staff was right there with information and details of the process, in most cases, answering questions before I had time to even ask them! The after care program is based on the book he has written and the manuel that he provides. They also give you an email and phone numbers to get in tough with him as needed post op. I can not say enough great things about Dr A. and his staff.

My first mpression was a goodlooking, intelligent man who was polite and friendly. That did not change. His office staff was friendly and willing to answer any questions. I did not dislike anything about him. He is a caring man. Aftercare, he made me sign a contract with him agreeing to his after care, and gave me a written copy as well as access to videos describing the same careful program of post surgery.
He did go over the risks of surgery, but not in a scarey way. I think he did a wonderful job and I could not be happier in my care. I liked his bedside manner, and his surgical competence. Both were outstanding. I am nurse and I have seen many doctors over the years. This is a good one.
The hospital was good, a lovely old fashioned place, outstanding care. My husband is shy, but was made to feel absolutely welcome and comfortable. Valerie W. Peery

Dr. Alvarez is a very personable man. He is very handsome and treats everyone as if you are his long time friend stopping by for a visit. He checked on me personally throughout my stay in the hospital. He employs his own staff to be close by at all times in case you need anything since the hospital staff does not speak fluent English. I have no concerns about him, his staff, or his surgical skills. Dr. Alvarez expects to hear from you when you get home so he will know you are safe and feeling well. He answers all emails quickly & personally and sends reminder emails as you progress through the phases of your diet. He has a very thorough aftercare program & I never feel alone knowing he is just an email away. His scheduler, Susan, is also just a call or email away. She is also a patient and a great resource!

When I was checking into my room there was a power outage. It lasted about 15 minutes & I was almost ready to run. Dr. Alvarez & his assistant, Dr. Gabe came right over to assure me it was temporary. Apparently a pole had been hit outside & the outage involved 3 blocks. It came back on & never even flickered after that. That was the only negative thing that happened. I have no regrets!

  This is my story.  I am 41 years old and I have been overweight since I was 23.  During my teen years until age 22, I averaged between 97-105 lbs.  I was a size 2 and ate everything I wanted to eat without having to exercise.  When I say everything, that means pizza, candy, soda, chips.  Whatever I wanted and in large quantities.  While I liked some junk food, I also ate healthy fruits and veggies, home-cooked meals.  When I was 22 I got engaged and went on birth control pills.  I gained 80lbs in a year.  The only thing that changed was the addition of the pill.  
After about a year and a half, I decided to stop taking birth control.  It took me another year and a half to get pregnant.  At the age of 25 I gave birth to my daughter.  While I was pregnant, I lost weight initially until closer to delivery.  Upon delivery, I was back up to around 200 lbs.
 During the next 16 years my weight has bounced around quite a bit.  I would work to loose weight, joining weight watchers or taking exercise classes, trying diet pills, etc...  Anything that I thought might work, I tried it.  I would loose some weight and then it would all come back and then some.  The highest that I have weighed was 242 lbs.  I have never been a  stress eater.  When I'm stressed, my weight goes down.  I have always had good self-esteem.  I always say that I have reverse anorexia, I think I'm skinny.  I am very active as far as getting out and doing things, working, traveling, spending time with friends and family, etc...  I love to cook (and eat).  We always have people over for dinner or to hang out.
 When I was in my early 30's I was diagnosed with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome.  The dr told me that I didn't have this because I was overweight, rather I was overweight because I had this.  That made sense to me as it was by taking the pill that seemed to throw my hormones out of whack.  Later I was also diagnosed with hypothyroidism, another medical issue that makes weight loss extremely hard.  I was tired of the struggle with my weight and watching the scale creep higher every year.
 Over the past several years I have lost a brother-in-law, my nephew, my dad and my sister.  This got me contemplating my own mortality and wanting to plan for my family if something should happen to me.  As I was checking for life insurance, I realized that weight is a definite factor in cost.  I don't have high blood pressure, don't have high cholesterol, I'm not diabetic.  Basically I'm relatively healthy with the exception of being chunky.  Or as the charts put it "Morbidly Obese".  I was mortified by that term.  That is not what I thought of myself as being.  I used terms like voluptuous, being one of Bodecelli's (sp.) women, etc...  I am very comfortable in my body.
In light of all of this, I had been looking into weight loss surgery.  My brother-in-law had gastric bypass.  He had a lot of complications afterwards and actually ended up passing away within a year of having it done.  I wasn't comfortable of the whole rerouting idea either, so that was not a choice I would make.  Then a friend has the lap band done. She lost a lot of weight. But kept having problems with it.  She eventually had to have it removed and gained all of her weight back.  I didn't like the maintenance that goes with that surgery and the success rate isn't as good.
 Then I had a client that had Gastric Sleeve done.  She looks amazing.  Not only has she done it, but at least 10-15 other people she knows had it done as well, with great success.    It was almost a year ago when I found out about this particular procedure.
 I wasn't sure I wanted to do something permanent, but looking into the insurance made up my mind.  I researched the dr that she used and found out he has a great success rate and is extremely reputable.  My own dr researched him and she gave her approval.
 Now to tell my family.  They were surprised that I decided to do the gastric sleeve, but they were supportive.  One of the concerns they had was that it was in Mexico.  After talking with them about the experiences that others had, they were more comfortable with it.
 I made the arrangements.  I was appreciative of the excellent communication with Dr Alvarez's staff.  They answered all my questions and kept in touch with me before and after surgery.  We drove down to the hotel in Eagle Pass, TX (I get air-sick, so I didn't want to fly after surgery).  The accommodations were very clean and comfortable.  Rosie (the driver) picked us (me, my husband and the other lady that was having surgery) up the following morning.  The trip across the border was uneventful and we were at the clinic within a couple of minutes.
 At the clinic we met with Dr Alvarez briefly and then we were led across a breezeway/drive into the hospital.  Everyone was very nice and professional.  We were taken to our rooms, they did the pre-op blood work and chest x-ray.  They started my IV and the anesthesiologist came in.  That was the last thing I remember until waking up after surgery.  I was kept comfortable with pain meds and anti-nausea meds and I didn't have to ask for them to be administered.  The nurses came regularly into my room to check on me.  Dr Alvarez and Dr Rosales came in several times together and several times on their own to check on me.  My room was clean and comfortable.  Nicer than any other hospital room I had ever been in.    Then there was Jessica.  She took my husband to get food and made sure that we had everything we needed.  She was very nice and took great care of us.  At one point, while she was caring for another family, my husband ventured out and got food on his own.  He didn't have any problems.
 Upon release, we were given thorough instructions on after-care.  Then Rosie picked us up and drove us back across the border.  I received follow-up emails from the patient coordinator, as well as emails directly from Dr Alvarez checking on how I was doing.
 I had my surgery on March 15, 2012 and I have lost 25 lbs so far.  I don't have insurance and I would not have been able to afford to have this surgery in the United States because of the cost.  I also don't believe I would have gotten the same quality of care that I did while I was in Mexico.  Dr Alvarez has more experience with this procedure than any of the doctors in my area.  I trust him completely and would do it all over again.  I felt completely safe in Mexico.
 That being said, this surgery isn't for everyone, but if you are ready to make a life change, then I recommend Dr Alvarez and his staff in Mexico.

After years of dieting to now avail, I had VSG done by Dr. Alvarez on 3/15/12, yes, in Mexico. And, I'm still here to talk abot it! Everything went as planned and promised, despite what people said "you'll get shot by the cartell" that's a dangerous town" "don't go out by yourself". From the moment I was picked p in San Antonio by Rosie (as promised and arranged), things went as I was told they would; spent the night at the Holiday Inn in Eagle Pass, I did walk to Walmart and bought a book (and some sugar free jello), flopped in the hot tub there and enjoyed the quiet. In the morning, was again picked up (with my sleeve sista and her hubby) by Rosie, and ventured the 10-15 minute ride to the hospital. In the hospital, we met Dr. Alvarez (and Dr. Rosales), a real person, very pleasant and knowledgable. Then, off to lab and radiology (oh, Cindy and I flipped a coin to decide who went first) and then to our rooms. Our rooms were set up in little "pods" I would call them, a small hall with 4 rooms, one of them being a lounge with TV, fridge, etc for guests to hang in while patients nap. A computer was in my room, we had trouble with it, but I had brought my own which was easier anyway. Yes, I watched the needles be taken out of new sterile pakaging, although their IV system is not needleless as they are in USA, everything was new in regard to invasive items (IV's how we used to do them here). Surgery I don't remember (shocking, I know). Oh, and Jessica was there (as promised much of the time) to interpret. Pain was kept under good control, as was nausea (I did request and get a hit of pain meds and Nausea meds before my IV was removed). Dr. A or Dr. R. (and occasionally both) checked on me several times daily (more than the one required MD visit in US hospital). Clear instructions were given for aftercare, as well as emails checking on progress and asking about issues. 4 weeks out, I am down 17 pounds (not as shocking as some people's huge weight loss, but for me, I always lose so slowly (if at all), that I am thrilled with that! I never felt unsafe or in danger during any part, am losing weight, and it was money well spent! I do miss my stress eating ability at times tho' (lol!) Good luck!

I am 1 month out from having the sleeve with Dr. Alvarez (March 12, 2012). I wanted to write a review to let everyone that may be looking for a surgeon in our out of the United States how amazing Dr. Alvarez, and his staff are. I never for 1 minute felt uneasy or unsafe during my entire experience in Mexico. Dr. Alvarez and his partner Dr. Gabe both have the most amazing bedside manner you have ever seen. I was also blessed to have one of his nurses, Jessica, take care of my husband and I. Jessica actually went with my husband to eat in the afternoons, and let me tell you, she is pure joy. I speak zero spanish and never once had any trouble communicating to Dr. Alvarez's staff. I was also never is any real pain, just tenderness that was very bearable. I have actually recommended Dr. Alvarez to several of my friends. I would give Dr. Alvarez, his staff, and the entire experience from start to finish a 10!