Endohospital Bariatric Center

I was originally going to get Lap Band surgery until I had several friends suggest that I should get the sleeve. An attorney friend in Austin said several of her co-workers went to Dr. Alvarez. I began researching VSG and various self pay surgeons both in and out of the U.S. I decided on Dr. Alvarez and could not be happier with my decision.

I flew to San Antonio by myself. Rosie picked me up and drove me to Eagle Pass where I stayed in a nice, newly renovated hotel. Rosie was back the next morning to pick me up and we drove across the border. I met with Dr. Alvarez and explained to him that I was here by myself as my husband was with my children. I also told him that I am an only child and my Mother who is 80 was extremely worried about me. Dr. Alvarez volunteered to call my mother after the surgery while I was still in recovery to ease her mind. It meant the world to both of us as he explained to her how the surgery went and that I was doing fine.

The next day, I was feeling good and walked around Piedras Negras with 2 other people that I met at the hospital. We felt totally safe. It is a quaint little border town. No one bothered us and I was able to shop for some souveniers.

If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't change a thing. Dr. Alvarez and his staff took great care of me. The nurses were attententive and I always felt safe while in Mexico. If anyone is having second thoughts about using Dr. Alvarez or going to Mexico, it is safe, it is sanitary, and it is a life changing experience. Dr. Alvarez is the top surgeon in his field. Between myself and my family we have had several surgeons over the years and very few of them can compare to Dr. Alvarez.

Dr. Alvarez and his entire team provided excellent care, from the first initial phone call to Susan and continuing today, a month after surgery, being available to answer any questions that come up. I went to Piedras Negras by myself, and there were no problems. I felt well taken care of at all times. Dr Alvarez is a superb surgeon and he has put in place a well oiled machine for helping patients through the process, without ever losing his care and compassion for each individual. I highly recommend him.

I am a lapband to sleeve revision patient. Dr. Alvarez removed by lapband in February 2014 and my sleeve in July 2014. Both experiences exceeded my expectations. Both my husband and I are RNs, so we were prepared to be extra critical and cautious when my surgeries occurred. However, there was no need. The care I experienced from the physicians and the nursing staff was top notch. Dr. Alvarez and his physician counterparts checked on me multiple times per day. Any need that I had was immediately addressed by the nursing staff. I would recommend him to any of my family and friends. I initially chose him because of his reputation and skill level. It's not all about the price of the procedure. This is a life altering procedure, and you want the very best surgeon. I feel that Dr. Alvarez is it!

I spent much of my time looking at the possibility of having surgery in the states or in Mexico. To have surgery in the states I would need to gain more weight, develop full blown diabetes (right now I am borderline) and have another weight related health problem. After scrutinizing three Mexico doctors and their patient reviews, here on Obesity Help, and on youtube, I chose Dr Alvarez. I ended up asking Susan the coordinator, a ton of questions, and she was good about getting back to me, and helping me understand things, she is great.
We (me and my husband) were picked up at the San Antonio, La Quinta by Rosy. It was a long drive, but I did not mind at all because I would rather have someone in the driver’s seat that knows where we are going, with experience, and she did that well. Rosy had already informed us what to do and what not to do when went through customs. On going across the border I was expecting what I had seen years ago on some of the major border crossings, once inside Mexico, chaos, children selling stuff, a lot of movement. This was not the case at all, I have to repeat, it was calm and quiet and uneventful, and there was very little traffic. The border patrol knew Rosy and she handled everything.
We met with Dr Alvarez, and from there it was just a matter of procedures, weight, blood, and x-ray. Because I was so nervous the time seemed to drag, but once I was given the drip for the OR, I remember trying to get onto the gurney, from there, I awoke, and had to ask, did I really have surgery? My husband said I asked everyone that came in the room the same question. I was surprised to find out from my husband that before the doctor could do the surgery he also had to repair a hiatal hernia.
The care I received was outstanding, I kept accidentally hitting the call button, and always someone would show up. I saw Dr Alvarez and two of his associates the two days I was there. What I really liked is that the staff at the hospital was so quiet, professional and helpful. The rooms are set in an alcove, sort of away from the hallway. My room was private as was the bathroom and shower.
The only thing that went wrong was my IV insertion, which I have had a problem with the insertion once before here in the states. It was very painful and eventually became infiltrated. Because I was still feeling the drugs of OR, I don’t remember but my husband said that I would not let anyone take out the IV and redo the right hand, unless the doctor did it himself. My husband said that Dr Alvarez showed up later in his regular clothes, I remember him coming in and telling me the IV had to be switched or I would become dehydrated. It was then changed to my right hand, after that there were no more problems with it. If you have any medical issues do let them know so you won’t have a problem like I did.
I am extremely happy that I chose Dr Alvarez and his staff, they were all very professional. My husband is thoroughly impressed with the care I received. Jessica even ordered dinner for him on the second day. Everybody, from Susan, my first contact, to Rosy, the driver, to Dr Alvarez and his two associates, his assistants, Annali, and Jessica. They all speak perfect English. Dr Alvarez keeps in touch and has been updating me on when to move on to the next level of my food intake.
If you are contemplating having this surgery, I highly recommend Dr Alvarez, you won’t regret it, I know I don’t. I am happy I made this choice, and I am feeling good about life and eating less.

Dr. Alvarez is the most caring doctor I have ever met!

Coming from Arkansas and traveling to Mexico alone was scary. However, once I met Dr. Alvarez my anxiety level dropped. He gives off a very positive vibe and greets you with a warm welcome:-)

Dr. Alvarez is present from the beginning of your stay till the moment you checkout and head back to the U.S.. He consistently checked in on me and the other patients to see how we were doing and answer any questions.

Also, his staff was amazing!! They were very helpful and wonderful company:-) I will forever be great full for the top notch care I received and I highly recommend Dr. Alvarez and his team to help you get to a healthy lifestyle!!

God Bless <3

I had VSG on July 7 in Mexico with Dr. Alvarez. I was on the fence for a long time about going to Mexico. I live in WV so you can imagine the comments I got regarding my decision to go. I am so GLAD that I listened to myself. It is the best thing I have ever done for myself. Dr. Alvarez is wonderful! I've had no complications, actually he is so good at what he does I had to ask if I really had surgery because I felt so good afterwards. His staff was great, the hospital was clean. Most think after surgery it's over, but I've heard from him every week since surgery and anytime I've had a question he has always gotten back to me so quickly. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Thanks Dr. Alvarez for changing my life.

I chose Dr Alvarez after doing research and finding that his bariatric surgery was as impressive as was his education.
The former patients positive experience and positive outcomes were factored in as well in my decision making.
Dr Alvarez has laid everything out for his patients, and has done the homework for them. His VSG is done with care, the highest quality products. He double secures the procedure with sutures, which many doctors don't do.
I have contact with the Dr should a concern arise.
I had 2 assistant surgeons to Dr Alvarez with whom I was very pleased.
My Anesthesiologist was great. He must have used the right size ETT, because I never had a sore throat. Not something I can say about my US anesthesiologist in previous female surgery.
All physicians visited frequent as well did my nurses. Every need was well cared for.
The hospital in Mexico was cleaner than the hospitals in the US and I have worked several in the state of Tx as an RN.
The nursing staff in MX is unparalleled.
I was not impressed with the US nurse Susan George LVN (she was rude) however she is mostly just an intake person.
My surgery and post op recovery went well and uneventful.
I am very pleased and impressed with my Doctors, my outcome, and mostly with Dr Alvarez.

What can I say about Dr. Alvarez and his staff that hasn't already been said? Not too much. What you read is all true! I was scheduled for a LAP-BAND to VSG revision on July 24th. Thanks to Dr. Alvarez's amazing assistant, Susan, I was given all the information I needed, along with paperwork, well ahead of time. She let me know that my surgery may have to happen in two parts, depending on the condition of my band, and the scar tissue. (Dr. Alvarez doesn't like taking any risks, which makes him the great surgeon that he is!)
Oh and if I had any questions, or concerns, I could email Susan at any time, and she'd email me back immediately.

Well luckily, I had the whole procedure done in one shot. Everything went well. Dr. Alvarez and Dr. Rosales checked on me often, as did the nurses. Anali and Jessica were fabulous. The anesthesiologist, Dr. Salinas was great too.

My husband was the one who really freaked out about my going to Mexico for this surgery. When we got to Piedras Negras, and met the kind and amazing Dr. Alvarez, my husband became more relaxed. He liked him ALOT! By the next day, he was walking around the town to find places to eat. Rosy picked us up on my discharge date, took us back over the border safely. We never worried about a thing.

If I had the choice to do this again, would I do it? In a HEARTBEAT!

Dr. Alvarez was so amazing and really made me feel more comfortable about getting the surgery. His staff was attentive and very kind. I believe I received better care at Dr. Alvarez's facility than I have anywhere else. Not only did the nurses come and check on me often, Dr. Alvarez or another doctor would come in regularly to speak with my mother and me. He truly cares about his patients and I believe that he was the best one to do my surgery. I am 40 pounds down two months post-op. I couldn't thank Dr. Alvarez enough for giving me this tool to help me on my weight loss journey. Dr. Alvarez was safe, kind and very knowledgable on the surgery. I highly recommend him if you are searching for a surgeon.

I am a practice manager for a very busy neurologist and I know the importance of great patient care. All I can say is I Love,love,love Dr. Alvarez!
I had gastric sleeve surgery on June 20, 2014 and I am now 4 weeks out and I am feel great! I have lost 23 lbs so far. I had a follow up appointment with my PCP today and she commented oh how great my incisions look.

My husband had the same procedure here in the U.S. and he did not get the same care and attention that I received from Dr. Alvarez me during my stay in the hospital.

I would recommend Dr. Alvarez to anyone interested in Bariatric surgery. For those of you that are curious about being able to understand Dr. Alvarez he speaks better English than 99% of the doctors I deal with on a daily basis.