Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

As with all reviews they are a personal observation of the individual going through the process or experiencing the event firsthand. I began my education of weight loss surgery approximately for 2 years before electing a procedure that achieved my personal goals. At the same time I also began to follow recommendations of changes in lifestyle to achieve a positive outcome of any weight loss surgery. I then started my search for a surgeon. I spoke with many in the US and a few in Mexico. I chose Dr. Guillermo Alvarez of Endobariatrics in Piedras Negras Mexico. Dr. Alvarez from the beginning took so much time to answer each and every one of my questions with timely responses via email. He would explain indepth the different procedures, and answered every one of my questions in a personal and friendly manner. I have to admit I had some apprehension to shopping for a surgeon via the internet and then electing a surgical procedure outside the US and also scheduling this procedure via the internet. However, Dr. Alvarez was available each step of the way or question I had even up to the day I arrived at Endobariatrics for my surgery. Upon meeting Dr. Alvarez and his surgical team it was like you were part of the team (which is true) and they were all extremely caring, understanding and compassionate. The surgical facility was state-of-the-art, the hospital is older but very clean and orderly, and the private rooms for Dr. Alvarez's patients are very comfortable. I chose a Vertical Gastric Sleeve (VGS) procedure. Every patient is different; however, I experience no pain and was up walking around a few hours after surgery. Dr. Alvarez and his assistant surgeon checked on me several times throughout the day each day of my hospital stay. There was post-op testing to check for leaks and etc. Dr. Alvarez met with me upon discharge and we reviewed aftercare, and lifestyle changes, nutritional guidance, all provided in written form to take with me. Dr. Alvarez is a highly skilled bariatric surgeon, his focus is on bariatric procedures and I found him to be a superior surgeon and unbelievable bedside manner. Also I have access to the patient coordinator back in the US who called me the day of discharge to start the follow-up. rnrnI am 1 1/2 months post-op as of 12/20 and I have to say this has been the best decision I have ever made. I would come back to Dr. Alvarez and Mexico again for my surgery and I would recommend Dr. Alvarez to anyone considering weight loss surgery and I would recommend you consider the Vertical Gastric Sleeve. I like it because there is no intestinal re-route, no daily medications for the rest of my life, and it easily works with my life and travel schedules. Oh yea...I have lost 28lbs so far and looking Great! Dr. Alvarez...thank you my friend!

Hi there my name is Michael Hollifield and I had my sleeve done on October 5th, I took awhile to post a review cause I wanted it to be 100% honest and know a little down the road and see how I feel and how it went. So I been looking into weight loss for like 3 years now, I work as a chef and tend to put on weight during peak season. So in May I changed my mind from the band to the sleeve. I was gonna go wtih a different doctor cause they were cheaper but after reading all the good revies I took some time and talked to Susan a million times I was waiting for her to tell to stop calling lol. Anyways I spent all summer saving up and I flew from alaska down to texas, this whole time I was arguing with myself cause its alot of money and i worked all summer saving up and I was stressed I was supposed to be on a liquid diet two weeks before and the night before surgery I could stop myself I even thought about running and giving up on life. Once morning came and I talked with a guy who was having surgery with me I decided to jump in the van, I tend to think to much or am a little Bi-polar smetimes. So on the way down my emotions were really getting to me. Once we crossed the border my fears got worse and worse, I got to the hospital felt a little at ease the more I taked with the Dr. then we went to three rooms there was three of us, The room wasnt bad but the bed was horrible painfull unconfy and it just seemed like it was my room I was alone and that tiny room got to me a little bit, now if your reading and thinking I am just complaining I am stating my expieriance through my eyes and am telling it how I see it, keep reading it will be my truth, so anyways I let the other two go first and sat in anticipation waiting, my time came and I went in I was the first to wake up before anyone I was confused wondering if I had surgery and was in a little pain, I couldnt sit there I was in pain I eventually made my way out of my room confused, I founf the other two passed out and was confused why I was up. I went back to my room thirsty and I couldnt touch anything anyway. I felt a big wet spot in my bed and felt embaressed thought I had peed in the bed. I asked the nurses and tried to explain I was in alot of pain and why I was up. Well after a couple dr.A, came in and come to find out my iv with meds in my hand was out the whole time might have played a role in the pain I believe, they ended up give me some pills my body didnt like that I think I had a allergic reaction cause they didnt help and even at hotel later the next day it made me sick, I spent the day in pain in this bed and just was lousing my mind regretting the whole thing, I left resenting everything and mad at myself, I ended up staying in the hotel for almost a week just laying in bed confused in pain and wishing I could roll over and die, it is a big change from my usual self loving life. I took the train home and kinda just felt weird the whole ride didnt move much and sat there... now about 2 weeks after being home is when things started to change, its been two months since surgery and I am down 60 pounds I feel like I have a new life dont eat like i used to and I am back working as a chef and not even eating or have a desire to eat.. I have never appreciate a human beign as I appreciate Dr. A, He changed me my life everything, girls look at me , talk to me, more dates, I can sit in my airplane seat with room it makes me cry thinking about it. I cant tell you how much I wish I could give to him, I would give my life, I was at 340 on surgery day and now am 285. I dont care if I lost one more pound ever. There is only one downside lol, I am lactose intollerent now which kinda sucks, I have no desire for soda like i used to, but I did find a milk allternative which is good. I just want to give you guys the real truth now the whole pain ordeal with me could of been one of the 1 in 100 kinda things I just was unlucky. I hope I can help with this and you can feel my pain and feel the good that has come with the struggle. It isnt easy at all and sometimes I even over eat and it hurts when it comes back out and its embarising if ur around peaople.. I get asked if I go out whats wrong with the food and I am more than happy to tell them it is wonderful But I am full.. There is so much I can say to tell you why you should do this. I just hope you make the right decision. Susan and Dr.A are just amazing people and I wish them the best in life. I have talked a little long if you want to see my new before and after photos this is my myspace.

myspace.com/mikey2287

Happy Holidays all and god bless.

I cannot say enough about my experience with Dr. Alvarez in Mexico. The hospital is small and a bit old looking but the staff was attentive, skilled and most helpful. My surgery went great; I was up walking that afternoon. I had very little pain and discomfort. Dr. Alvarez did a great job answering all my questions to make sure I was completely ready to go before the surgery. I have had absolutely no complications what so ever. I offer my highest recommendation to use Dr. Alvares and his staff. You will not be disappointed.

My first impression of Dr. Alvarez??? Soooo handsome!!! He is one of those people that just being in his presence puts you right at ease. Super friendly and funny!!!rnrnMy impression grew stonger throughout my whole experience. I became more and more fond of him and his whole team because of the small family-like atmosphere all around him.rnrnDr. Alvarez's office staff is awesome!!! Susan is the backbone to his practice. She is truly amazing and will answer any and all questions. She will do whatever it is you need her to do, even after you get home.rnrnRosie is the girl who transports the patients to and from the hotel/hospital. She is beautiful and friendly as well.rnrnThe only thing that I have to \"complain\" about was that I felt the rooms could have been more welcoming. It would have been nice to have towels in the rooms upon arrival even if it were just paper towels to use after washing your hands. This is just a personal prefence I guess and also pretty trivial but if that's only \"complaint\" I have then who cares right? lol...rnrnWhat should future patients know about Dr.-A??? OMG!!! Awesome surgeon and a very genuine man!!! Dr. A. is proud of his community and very proud of his practice and it shows in his work and his relationships with his staff and his patients. rnrnMy aftercare??? Dr. Alvarez and Dr. Rosales went over my after care thoroughly!!! I walked out of there feeling very informed. I was truly amazed when I was being discharged because they carried my luggage to the van!!! Find that in the states! NOT!rnrnThe risks of the surgery were clearly stated throughout the whole process from beginning to end. Dr. A's team thought of everything from A-Z!!!rnrnI felt Dr. Alwarez and Dr. Rosales's bedside manner and surgical competence were impeccable to say the least. I felt I was in very good hands.rnrnI couldn't have been happier getting my VSG in Mexico. It was a good experience and you can't beat the price. I felt I got much better care with Dr. Alvarez than I could have gotten in the states for sure. It was a much more personal experience as well as having a top-notch surgeon with tons of experience. NO REGRETS!rnrnThanks Endobariatrics for the fresh start and a brand new life!!!

He is an Angel sent straight from Heaven doing God's work on this earth.

Dr. Alvarez and his team were amazing from the get go! He has a great bedside manner and totally handsome. I have been in the medical field of work for 20 years and I am thoroughly impressed with this Dr. AND his staff. Everything was gone over completely which left me with no questions before-during-or after. I seriously have nothing negative to say... How many doctors can you say that about? On a scale of 1-10, I give Dr. Alvarez and his staff a 9.9 because no one gets a ten without a miracle...LOL.

THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE WAS WONDERFUL!!

Well, after reading and re-reading about 300 testamonials I can only hope that Dr. Alvarez is as wonderful as his reputation is...especially his surgical skills and expertise. My surgery is only 6 days away and I get butterflies every time I think of it...I know it is the right decision but as an O.R. nurse for 16 years now I pray no \"intraoperative\" incident occurs and if it does everyone is trained and prepared to handle it. Scared but excited.....okay...I am 1 day post op now and Dr. Alvarez is the bomb! He is the best and has constantly checked on me just as I read would happen. The nurses at this small hospital are so incredibly attentive and literally \"Johnny on the Spot\" when you need anything at all. The surgical experience from a patient's perspective is positive and top-notch all the way.

I have had a fantastic experience in going to Dr. Alvarez.rnrnHis coordinator Susan has been extremely helpful and prompt whenever I've emailed her with a question.rnrnWe were picked up in San Antonio and driven to Eagle Pass, TX to spend the night before the surgery. On the day of surgery we were picked up again and taken across the border to Dr. Alvarez's office to meet with him and his assistant.rnrnDr. Alvarez is the most charismatic and genuine doctor I've ever dealt with. He cares about improving your quality of life.rnrnAfter meeting with Dr. Alvarez I was taken to the lab to have blood drawn and get a chest x-ray.rnrnAbout two hours later I was on my way to surgery and honestly don't remember a thing until much later that afternoon.rnrnWhen I woke up in my room there was no pain or nausea (I never experienced either). I was out of the bed within a couple hours and walking the halls.rnrnThe most impressive thing for me was that Dr. Alvarez and his assistant both checked on me a couple each day. I have never seen that level of personal care here in the States.rnrnTwo days after the surgery we were driven back to San Antonio and I actually felt good enough to go down to the river walk for a few hours with my wife.rnrnThe only negative thing I have to say is that since I don't speak Spanish, there wasn't a whole lot to watch on TV. I'll live.rnrnI would recommend Dr. Alvarez to anyone I know who is interested in having weight loss surgery.

Dr Alvarez is a wonderful man and very warm and caring. I can tell he cares about his patients. Its weird when I first met him it was like I was seeing a old friend. I researched him for about a year and I could never find anything bad about this man. His patients love him because he is the BEST DOCTOR. I have never flew anywhere in my life so flying to Mexico for surgery was very scarey for me. But the day I was to leave on my adventure I was more scared of flying then heading to Mexico. Susan sent me instructions of where I was going and step by step guide and I followed it and when I finally got to the hospiital to meet Dr Alvarez everything happened pretty fast from there. His staff was very professional and friendly. Dr Alvarez was amazing he really is and I always felt like I was in good hands never once did I feel like I made a wrong decision. If I could do it all over again I would in a heart beat. The hotels where I stayed on my way to him were top notch and were 5 stars all the way. And they took care of these which were great cause I thought I had to pay. Dr Alvarez and his staff are amazing and if you are considering this operation then flying to mexico to have the operation is the greatest decision you can make. You are in great hands with him. God Bless you on your adventure and god bless Dr alvarez for being such a wonderful gift to his patients.