Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

Dr Alvarez is AWESOME! His entire staff go out of their way to make you and your guest as comfortable as possible.

Como esta el mejor doctor del mundo entero?
Hi, Dr Alvarez

I feel great! I’m loving every minute! The weight loss is already starting to show. I love the restriction. I was so ready for this, I wanted it for so long. I’m super happy. I’m super blessed to have found you. Thank you for being you, for being so caring to us overweight folks. Thank you for being so professional and for having so much ethic and putting the patient first. Dr. Gabe, Susan and your team of nurses were superb, I've never had better care in my life.

Love you!
Surgery date 10/13/2011
healthyatlast38

I love Doctor Alvarez and all of his staff, especially Susan George! I'd been in touch and made friends with Susan for years before I actually had the surgery, so I had done a lot of research and felt very well-informed going into the surgery. I opted for the gastric sleeve, having been talked out of the lap-band for various negative reasons. Once I made my decision and was finally ready and had my loan approved, Susan and Dr. Alvarez got me scheduled right away and answered any questions I had quickly and thoroughly. Dr. Alvarez has wonderful bedside manner and a great attention to detail. He made me feel very at ease from the moment I met him, and I knew I was in good hands. My impression of him hasn't changed a bit. I had some complications after surgery and he has always been responsive to my questions and even going as far as coming to me to see how I'm doing. He answers e-mails to him personally within an hour, and has never made me feel put off. He has taken great care of me from afar and takes the time to explain everything. He is compassionate and caring, and someone I am glad that I have met and put my health into his experienced hands.

Dr Alvarez is not only a highly experienced doctor, but he is truly a caring and genuine individual. He takes the time to listen and makes you feel very comfortable. His whole set up is great, from talking to Susan many times while making my appointment and planning my trip, to Rosie his driver taking us from the hotel to the hospital & to another hotel, to the hotels being arranged, to his wonderful nurses & staff at the hospital who were absolutely great!!!...everything was easy & all planned out for us, i really liked that!! I just had to get plane tickets and bring stuff i needed. Dr Alvarez performed the sleeve on me on Aug 18th and ive already lost exactly 50 pounds, (which includes my pre-surgery liquid diet week). I do have to say that the first month was extremely hard!!!!!....probably because i was basically on liquids for about a month and was really weak and i got dizzy often. But i never had naseau and never threw up. I wanted to make sure & follow the diet plan so i wouldnt chance getting a leak. I ended up having a weird pain in my left side near the large incision and was nervous about it and even though i read a ton of reviews online about it being normal and ok, i just wanted to make sure. So i called Dr A and left him a message and he was able to return my call in just 14 minutes and he put my mind at ease that it was just a stitch that he put in there which was pulling because that incision was where my stomach was removed from....and thats exactly what i read multiple times online from people. Bottom line, even though this was very hard in the beginning, it was completely worth it & i feel a lot better now & im sure i will continue to feel even better as more weight comes off...even though im not too far away from my goal weight now! This has totally changed my life and i am extremely happy i chose the sleeve and Dr Alvarez as my doctor. I never once felt unsafe in mexico and actually hours after my surgery i was walking around the town and shopping!! Also the next day my bf and i went to the riverwalk and had a nice romantic night! I would do it all over again and not change a thing. I have had weight issues since i was young and for the first time i dont feel like food controls my life anymore!!! Thank you Dr A for giving me this wonderful gift!!!

Dr. Guillermo Alvarez is an amazing doctor. I went to Mexico to have the gastric sleeve surgery and Dr. Alvarez and his staff were THE BEST. The entire experience from beginning to end was amazing, supportive, painless, and caring. His staff, from picking me up at the airport, to taking me to the hotel and then to surgery and after, was excellent. I had better care in the Mexico hospital than I did at the hospital in California that I had to stay at for a prior unrelated surgery.

I can't recommend Dr. Alvarez enough. He is professional, with excellent surgery skills, people skills and bedside manner. I have no hesitation in recommending him. In fact, I have recommended him to all of my friends and family who are interested in bariatric surgery.

Thanks Dr. Guillermo for making my dreams come true for a thinner, healthier and happier me!!
Hugs,
KathieM

I can't thank you enough, Dr. A. Your staff is perfect. I loved all the nurses, they took such good care of me and of my husband. Every little need was met with such a great attitude. Seeing you on youtube for the questions of the week, and then meeting you and your associates in person gave me such confidence going in.
Of course, I couldn't shake the feeling of 'what the heck was I doing going to Mexico?' - until I got there and everything was just great. I wish (Really Wish) I could have stayed longer. It was beautiful, the hospital room was very homey. I wouldn't change a thing.

I cannot thank Dr Alvarez and his staff enough!
He (they) have given me my life back. My surgery date was Oct 11 2011. As of today November 09 2011 I am down nearly 70 pounds, I never though anything would give me control over food but I feel rescued! Food no longer is the most important thing in my life. The sleeve surgery gives you a tool that you can use in your daily life. Instead of worrying what is for lunch everyday at work I spend my lunch break walking. Instead of my health and size dictating how fast and far I can walk the only restraint I have now is time.
I didn't rush into this surgery, I did lots of research and it just seemed like a sleeve was the best choice for me. I knew two other patients of Dr. A and they could not recommend him any higher then they did.
My personal experience was very typical and I never felt worried about being in Mexico or being in a Mexican hospital. The hospital staff are very well trained and very professional.
If you have any apprehension about having your surgery done in Mexico, let me put your concerns to rest. Fist of all Piedras Negros is a nice border town with very friendly citizens. The day after my surgery I actually walked around the neighborhood and was treated only with kindness and courtesy, never once being concerned for my safety.
Dr. Alvarez and his staff speak perfect English and have the procedure and logistics down to a well oiled machine.
You meet Rosey at the hotel and she takes it from there. BTY, she is a true sweet heart.
My stay couldn't have been smoother, bravo Dr A!
I never had any pain, discomfort yes, but the nurses take care of the pain medications around the clock. I thought getting myself through two airports and two flights to get home might be a challenge but my condition didn't prevent me from getting through it. In fact I got home, rested that weekend and was back at work Monday morning!
If you still have reservations let me just tell you this, surgery is always a big decision, but Dr. Alvarez has all the planning and logistics worked out for you , all you have to do is show up and get started on your new healthy life! Thank you Dr. Alvarez and everyone at Endobariatric. I am so grateful to you, and so glad I made that first call to Susan.
Thank you again, Jeff

Dr. A
First things first.. Thank you for giving me back my life. To be totally honest I had a huge problem with the thought of weight lost surgery, it just was not a option, especially in a hospital in Mexico.
My wife did all the leg work on research and information we needed so if the experience went according to the text books I can not say, but what I can say is that it was the easiest procedure that I have ever had to endure. You and your staff are very professional and it show's, starting with the ride from San Antonio and back, your staff were in control and all I had to do was get comfortable and enjoy the ride.
I appreciate your devotion and desire to become and expert in your field because by doing so you have given me a chance to turn around the life that was literally slipping away from me.

I believe that your comment to me after the procedure that this decision "would save my life" is the most intense statement I have every heard.

I am your typical American man I never go to the doctor for anything my wife is my doctor. So having the VSG done is totally out of character... But if I would have known that I would feel this good and that I was that in that bad of shape, I would I have met you ten years ago. Tell your staff "Thank you for taking care of me and my wife". I would do it again without a doubt.

So if your a doubter like I was and you are telling yourself this is not for you.. Give it up!! this is exactly what the doctor ordered and Dr. A and his crew are some very special and talented people that will make you feel like you were at home.


Once again Thank You! I will never forget that you saved me from myself.


Wesley B.

Ps. My wife did not write this.. It is for real.

I chose to go to Dr. Alvarez because I was a self-pay patient, since my insurance has an exclusion for weight loss surgery. I was never terribly nervous about going to Mexico for the surgery, I guess since I had heard good reviews of the experience from people in my community and also OH members. Of course, I did my research. I didn't want to just go to Mexico to get a "bargain price" surgery. I mean, this is your body....you don't want to choose a doctor simply because he has the cheapest price. The number of successful surgeries Dr. Alvarez has performed made the decision for me. I could have had surgery here in Louisiana for just a couple thousand more, but do those doctors have as much experience as Dr. A?

Everything went smoothly, from the time we were picked up in San Antonio before surgery, to the time we were dropped off after surgery.

Rosy (his driver) is very nice. Taking a 2 hour trip with someone you've just met can be a little uncomfortable, but she is very friendly and I felt at ease right away.

Dr. Alvarez and Dr. Gabe, both, have great "bedside manners". I know that surgical skill is probably more important, but as a patient feeling vulnerable, you want to feel like your doctor(s) understand you and care how you're feeling.

Dr. A's day nurse (Cristina) and night nurse (Jessica) are available to you nearly around the clock. Both are a big help, should you need anything.

While all of Dr. A's staff speak English fluently, the nurses at the hospital do not. This was never a problem, though. They do know the words for the meds they're administering (i.e. pain, acid, nausea, etc.) and were on time, everytime, for all the medications. I NEVER had to call for anything.

The hospital is an older building, but very clean. It appears that the room I was in had been recently remodeled. It had a nice roomy tile shower (with a seat) and huge towels!

You're sent home with a bag that includes the meds you will need (pain & PPI), surgery report, receipt for taxes, his book and a few other goodies.

Last, but certainly not least, his patient coordinator Susan. We've never met, only spoke on the phone once, the rest of the time our correspondence has been by email. I feel like she is an old friend. She has patiently answered every single question I've had. I told her the other day that she is awesome, and she is! :)

Aftercare.....it's certainly not non-existant, although you should follow up with your PCP. BUT, Dr. A and Susan, both, are available should you have any questions. And believe me, I had questions. As an example, I started to develop blisters under the steri-strips that covered my incisions. Susan was very quick to respond to my emails and let me know that I had an allergy to the adhesive.

I honestly don't have any negatives to report. I would gladly recommend Dr. Alvarez and his staff to ANY family members or friends that were interested in weight loss surgery.

Dr. A!!!

Well today is Day 8! I start phase 2 tomorrow and I CANNOT WAIT!! I am doing very well. Today was my first day back to work and I did not have any problems. My energy levels are good. I did get a hunger pang and to be honest it scared me a little. The protein bullets and benefiber helps, A LOT!!!

I just wanted to take a few moments to tell you how much that I appreciated my time in Piedras Negras! I didn't get to see the town but I received something (or lost something rather ) that will be with me for the rest of my life. I know that I received a service in which I paid for, but THANK YOU for your passion and committment. You and Dr. Gab ROCK

#1 - Susan has been great . I was hoping to meet her, but found out that she works from her home in California (oh my!). She is always so friendly and helpful. She made our trip seamless! She was there to provide any and all info and answer all my silly questions... We had some funny email moments!!

#2 - Rosy - Our chaffeur - she was great, as well! We didn't talk a lot but when we did we laughed and carried on. She has a great personality and is an asset to your team. (Ask her about that pour plastic planter at the convenience store...)

#3 - Jessica Mangarro - What a true blessing this young lady was to me and to my husband. She truly went above and beyond. She does not need to be taken for granted. I hope that she is greatly rewarded as an outstanding member of your team. For someone, like myself, I speak very little spanish. She shadowed the nurses and was constantly communicating with Curtis and I telling us everything they were doing and would be doing. She is priceless. She accompanied Curtis to the cafeteria for lunch on Monday and then on Tuesday she accompanied he and another gentleman (his wife had VSG on Tuesday) to a restaurant and helped them navigate and talk to the locals. Curtis was so grateful - he would have NEVER be able to enjoy your city had she not been there to help him. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

#4 - Christina - This young lady is energetic and excited. She made me feel very comfortable.

Dr. A - I had a great experience and will recommend you to anyone that I can! Thanks for accepting my FB request. I hope that we will become great friends. I hope that someday you can meet my kiddos and that I will get to see you again - I didn't get to take my "before" picture with you. So hopefully I can see you again, someday and take an after picture.

Sincerely,
Sandra Williams

"Never regret something that once made you smile."