Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

The best doctor I have ever been to in my entire life. Dr. Alvarez is a wonderful, kind and personable man. He and his fabulous staff went out of their way to ensure that not only was I well taken care of, but that my mom and dad were also taken care of. I have never in my life been treated with as much respect and care by a doctor or in a hospital as I was in his facility in Mexico.

If you are considering either a gastric sleeve or lap band procedure and do the research I did, then you will know hands down that he is the most qualified, compassionate and outstanding doctor for the job. I would recommend him to all my family and friends.

I had a friend that went and had this done by Dr. Alvarez a year before I went and she is the reason I did so much research. Both her experiences and mine were wonderful.

I would personally recommend him to anyone looking for this life change, and I say this without qualm or coersion...he and his staff are fabulous....

I had my VSG on April 9th. When I walked in and met Dr. Alvarez for the first time, I felt as though he was an old friend. He answered all of my questions and went out of his way to make sure my parents were comfortable with my operation. Dr. Alvarez and his assistant came by several times a day to check on me. You won't see that in many places in the US. The hospital was very old, but very clean. Jessica was wonderful as a translator and helped with anything that I needed. Also, Susan my coordinator was helpful from the start and continues to be there for me. Rosie was the driver that took us to and from the hospital. She was great and explained everything so we were very comfortable at the border crossing. If any friend or family member made the decisionto have WLS, I would take them to Dr. Alvarez in a heartbeat. I am very pleased with the way I was treated by Dr. Alvarez and his entire staff.

My experience with Dr. Alvarez and his staff was wonderful. From my first contact with Susan George to the drive back to San Antonio on their shuttle. After lots of research and careful consideration, I chose Dr. Alvarez because of all the wonderful experience other patients have had with him. I was comforted in learning that several people in the medical profession saw Dr. Alvarez for their bariatric needs. I am so happy that I made the decision to move forward with the surgery and am ecstatic because I am no longer on high blood pressure medications. If you or anyone you know are considering having bariatric surgery, I highly recommend Dr. Alvarez. There are no words to express the gratitude that I have on my new healthy life.

GREAT

I did a ton of research before my WLS and Dr. Alvarez was was by far the most experienced in VSG, which is the surgery I desired. My surgery was on 12/7/09 and that is the first day I met him. However, I felt as if I had known him for a long time. I was treated with dignity and respect and had the very best care I could have imagined. Every one I met in his office and in the hospital was was professional and extremely courteous. I was only a little nervous about going to Mexico by myself to has the surgery, but my fears were all for nothing because I was in good hands from the time the plane landed until I left to go home.
Dr. Alvarez is very adamant about following his aftercare program, and has given me all the tools I need to succeed. My surgery was 3 months and 2 days ago and I have lost 48.5 pounds so far. I have a ways to go still, but have already been able to stop taking insulin, one of my oral diabetes meds and my high cholesterol medication. I hope to discontinue more meds really soon.
I would very highly recommend this surgery and most particularly this surgeon to anyone who needs to change their life. My life has already changed for the better and I have high hopes that it will just keep getting better!

Did a great job.
Hard to see my scars. He is part plastic surgeon I think.
Great followup with questions or problems!

My Story [ Edit ]

Hello everyone, sorry it has taken me such a long time to finally post my story. I am a nurse practitoner and I have my own practice and 4 small children ages 10-6-4- and 11 months. Now you might have some sort of understanding why I haven't gotten around to do this until now! I have wanted to have WLS for the past several years, but I wanted to finish having babies. So, I decided early November 2009, that it was time. After much thought and research, I decided that I was going to need to travel to Mexico for this procedure! We have United Health Care, however, my husband's policy excludes any type of weight loss surgery! I had the vsg priced in Nashville, Tennessee---uuummm how about $25,000 buckaroos----and NO thanks!!
Yes-- my husband thought I had lost my mind when I told him about going to Mexico!!!But, after I explained who, what, when and where-- he was supportive. So, I began my search for a surgeon in Mexico. The first one I found-- I knew was the right one---after much research, and watching all the you tube videos of his patients, and reading all the stories on OH. I immediately called Susan to discuss scheduling my surgery. She was very helpful in working with me to accomodate my schedule. So, we decided on December 30th as the surgery date!!! She took my health history over the phone and submitted everything to Dr. Alvarez. He responded and everything was a go, and required me to do a 10 day preop liquid diet! OH NO--no Christmas Dinner for me-- you know what I didn't miss it -- I was way excited about the 30th!! Sent my $1000.00 deposit to secure my surgery date--and it's no turning back at this point! My husband and I decided we would drive!! We live in Tennessee so it was just what we wanted to do--and we had a good quality road trip!! So, we left Tennessee Monday morning December 28th and arrived in Eagle Pass, TX that night around 11:30---not a bad trip at all!! We slept in and went shopping and hung out in Eagle Pass on Tuesday. Wednesday morning at 6:30 am, Rosie arrived to take us over to meet Dr. Alvarez. We met with him in his office and decided who would go first-- and of course I had waited for this day long enough-- and I said "I'll go!" We met privately with Dr. Alvarez in his office and he got to know us a little, and answered all questions and that made my husband much more comfortable. He is very thorough and wonderful bedside manner and that makes a huge difference.
Next, we were escorted to our room by Jessica, a very sweet young lady that was there for us during the day for translation or to answer any questions we might have. She was wonderful. We settled in our room- then we were taken to the lab, and then to xray--and then back to change into the wonderful air conditioned gowns we are all sooo familiar with--- they are the same in Mexico---by the way!!! LOL The nurse came in to start my IV and after it was started that is all I remember! My surgery was at 10:00am and it only took about 30 minutes to perform my VSG. I know right--- a lifetime to create this stomach-- and 30 minutes to take that baby out!!! WHEHEW!! That was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. Wednesday--afternoon very groggy from anesthesia, but no real pain!!! Basically, just very tender belly! Thursday started on ice chips up in the day--- they were uncomfortable--actually they hurt! So, Dr. Alvarez stopped the ice chips and started me on room temperature water!! That was heaven!!! So, much better, and soothing! I did well all day Thursday-- didn't have to ask for anything extra for pain other than what he had scheduled for me to have!! That was awesome! Friday morning I was up and at em showered, packed ready to head back to Tennessee--- I missed my babies sooooo much. Dr. Alvarez came by and went over discharge instructions----- very thorough---gave us a packet and bag of everything that we would need!! He was a very nice doctor, and was very passionate about what he does! I was given jello and a juice box. The grape juice was wonderful!! Rosie came and picked us and took us back to the hotel where we left our vehicle--(where it was fine)!!! We actually went and visited the Alamo while we were in Texas on that Friday!! I was good---just a tender belly! We then came back to Tennessee-- the road trip was not bad at all!!! My babies were sooo glad to see us home on! I was back to work to see patients on Monday morning! No pain meds needed!!! The patients were tooo funny they didn't think I'd be there!!! They know me better than that!!
I love my patients and I love my family-- and I had both in mind when I decided to have this done. So, I am now 2 months out and I am down 45 pounds and I think I just might be down 100 pounds by month 4. I honestly thought that was not feasible for me to do--- but, it is VERY feasible!! The weight just falls off!!!! Still can't do hamburger meat--- but I am okay with that-- I would rather have chicken!! So, whether you have already had surgery or thinking about it-- you should do your research-- check out Dr. Alvarez and his staff they were amazing!!! Thank you Dr. Alvarez, Dr. Gabe, Susie, Rosie, Jessica and all the nursing staff at Piedras Niegras!!! It was an experience of a lifetime-- and I think an experience that has enabled me to live a longer, happier, healthier life!! If anyone has questions feel free to message me!! I am also on verticalsleevetalk.com with the user name jpetty!! Here's to a healthy, happy 2010!!!

From the moment I spoke with Dr. Alvarez' nurse I felt at ease with the procedure. I didn't tell anyone but my sister and a close friend that I was going to Mexico to have gastric band surgery because of the negative conotations people have. I can tell you that my experience was anything but negative. Dr. Alvarez was inviting and helpful. His staff coordinated everything perfectly. I was with 3 other people who were having the gastric sleeve procedure. Not one of us had any reservations regarding our procedures and afterward we were all quite happy with the results.
I am now being cared for by a gastric surgeon here in the states and my local Doctor told me that Dr. Alvarez is revered by the medical community as a competent surgeon. His surgical competence was fantastic and the bedside manner of he and the doctor he works with was fantastic. (They are both quite dreamy and smell fantastic!)
I wouldn't have changed anything about my experience.

My impression of Dr. Alvarez was very positive. Prior to arriving in Mexico, his "right arm" Susan helps with answering questions, literature, and travel points. My journey from NY to Mexico was a bit of a culture shock, and happened so fast.

Once you arrive, Dr. A's team facilitates every step, in perfect autopilot. Meeting Dr. A and Dr. Rosales the morning of surgery was a very professional experience. They are both very respectful about your well-being, and hope to lose weight. Their team immediately prepares you via labs, xray and admission. The surgery was less than 40 minutes and the recovery was, for me, seamless. There was no nausea, no significant pain (except incision soreness) and no drama. The first day was simply rest, second day allowed me to manipulate mobility around the soreness and eat ice chips. By the 3rd day/discharge, I was eager to eat my Jello and juice.

Dr. A's team had round-the-clock handholding. They constantly checked on my vitals, pain/comfort, and sleeve consistantly. The information packet provides life-long data and is very helpful as a daily reference. Dr. A provides you with your Surgical Report and plenty of meds when you leave. While I am still in my 1st week postop(as of this writing), I hope to follow the program set by him diligently.

I truly recommend Dr. Alvarez- he always displayed tremendous bedside manner and is impressively sympathetic to each and every patient's welfare and care.

In my opinion, he's the best out there! Never did I feel worried about the procedure with Dr. Alvarez or his assistant, Dr. Rosales. Both are very professional and know what they are doing. I went in, had the VSG, and to date have had no pain or problems what so ever!