Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

OMG! I loved my experience in Mexico with Dr. Alvarez as my Bariatric Surgeon! He is professional, knowledgable, and such a kind surgeon. I read his book before going to Mexico, so I felt I knew his professional demeanor….He was always available for questions. I had two of the kindness, well read translators available to me 24 hours a day. The aftercare program was very structured therefore making the experience easier. The whole experience from leaving Eagle Pass in a safe van, crossing the boarder and checking into the hospital was so much easier than I had imagined. I never felt threatened whatsoever about crossing the border. Rosie, the van driver was very competent and I felt quite safe! The American media has ruined our images of Mexico. If you are planning Gastric Sleeve surgery, do your research. You will find Dr. Alvarez rated as one of the BEST surgeons for this procedure…..

Dr. Alvarez,

I just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you. Even though I am some time away from my "goal" weight, I am still very pumped and motivated about what is to come. I really just want to say thanks for the awesome bedside manner, and care you and your medical staff provided. Please thank the other MD's for me, especially Dr. Gabe, he is an amazing Dr. along with the anesthesiologist.

Susan, was just amazing. I like to think of myself as an organized person, that likes to have all his ducks in a row. The written and verbal instructions, and guidance Susan provided was absolutely above and beyond. Her responding to questions promptly via e-mail makes it really seem as her life is dedicated to her job. She responded to me at late hours of the night, and even weekends! The Endobariatric team is very lucky to have her.

Please thank the nursing staff for me, as they were very attentive and caring, with above par bedside manner as well. I really appreciate all of their attentiveness, and calm demeanor. It is quite obvious they have passion for what they do.

Also, please thank Jessica and Andrea for me. I really appreciate them being there, serving as intermediaries between my father and I, and the Endobariatric staff. They were both very caring, and great at what they do. The best part of them being there was simply being able to have a chat with them. Just being able to talk with them, about things other than the surgery or the weight loss was a HUGE help in the healing process.

Overall, I must say that every single person on the Endobariatric Team, felt as if they were family. I have NEVER received this sort of service from any medical personnel in the United States, or abroad. That caring feeling you guys provide is simply put, unbeatable. Whenever I tell people about my experience W/ Dr. Alavarez and staff, the first thing I will always say, is "They make you feel like family".

Thank you again Dr. Alvarez, and I look forward to a lifelong relationship of status updates, and patient reunions. God bless you, and may God bless the Endobariatric staff.


Respectfully,

Omar Ruiz

Dr Alvarez and his team are very professional. I felt better taken care of in Mexico than I was in the US. Crossing the border was simple and event free. All the accommodations were clean and worry free. Would recommend him to anyone.

my first impression of Dr.Alvarez was that he had just such a positive out look of life, future patients should know that Dr. Alvarez is one of the most professional Doctors I have ever encountered with. The aftercare was so beyond amazing, there was always a nurse or a staff member near by. The first time I met him the first thing I asked was what were the risks of surgery and he told that my health risks were higher if I didn't get this surgery done which totally made sense. Over all I rate him and my experience 5 stars. This surgery was the best thing I could have done and there hasn't been one day one of regret in my decision!

After researching sleeve surgery, doctors and Mexico, I chose Dr. G Alvarez in Piedras Niedras, Mexico. I went to Mexico June 6, 2013 and have absolutely no regrets. It was the best decision I have ever made. I watched all of Dr. Alvarez's videos on you tube and felt like I already knew him. My first impression after meeting him in person - just like the guy in the videos. I also read his book on having the sleeve - a must read! It gives you exactly what you need to know before, during and after surgery. Every step is covered in detail.
The trip to Mexico was awesome. Everyone helpful and friendly from the driver, to hotel staff, Dr. Alvarez and his staff to hospital personnel. I went alone but never felt like I was by myself. He has translators there to help you. The hospital was undergoing some renovations that were sometimes annoying, but the results will be great.
The hospital experience was a bit different that in the US. The doctors come in an assess you several times a day, not the nurses. Here in the states, you might see the doctor once a day and the nurses do everything.
The accommodations from the hotels to the hospital were very comfortable. All your needs are met.
Surgery was so easy. I never had any complications. If I had, the staff and doctor were there to take care of them. Follow up after I got home has been great. The doctor and his staff are easy to get in touch with to answer questions. He also has a support group on facebook, obesity chat on Monday night and of course his website.
My experience with Dr. Alvarez has all been positive. The best decision I have ever made.

My trip to Piedras Negras for a Gastric Sleeve by Dr. Guillermo Alvarez was the best thing I've done for myself in a very long time. Although the idea of traveling to Mexico for a major surgery was a bit daunting, I was determined to get the procedure I knew I desperately needed, no matter what the insurance company said. Now, if I had it to do all over again, Dr. Alvarez and his staff would be my FIRST choice, not where I would go if all else failed in the US. They have customer service mastered! I felt completely safe and like I was the number one priority the entire time I was there, as well as the month I've been home since my surgery. Dr. Alvarez and his staff were personable and unbelievably caring. The hospital was clean and accommodating. The language barrier was non-existent due to the staff assigned to for translation by dr. Alvarez's office, and Rosie made the trip across the border relaxed and uneventful.

To anyone considering heading to Piedras Negras for this procedure, rest assured that you will have a safe and positive experience- thank you Dr. Alvarez! You are my hero!

I am so glad that I found Dr. Alvarez. It's a very scary road to navigate when you decide to have weight loss surgery. From financing, to the amount of info needed, to traveling away from home...every step of the way Dr. Alvarez and his team were there to help me. Once I met Dr. Alvarez in person, just seeing his smiling face and getting an instant "good feeling" about him was just what I needed. The only negative thing I would say is that the hospital was under construction. Other than that, I was well-cared for, I enjoyed the company of the other patients that were there getting their procedures done. Online help was always there for me, and Susan, the patient coordinator, is an ANGEL. I could not have gotten through the first few weeks post-op without her. Now that I am two months out from my VSG surgery, I am looking forward to continued weight loss and a healthier life! Thank you, Dr. Alvarez, Rosie, and your entire medical staff at the hospital...I am so glad I made the decision to radically change my life for the better. You did your part, the rest is up to me. Thank you!

My husband and I, after a lot of research, decided to go to Mexico for VSG surgery with Dr. Alvarez in Piedras Negras. One of the reasons we chose Dr. Alvarez is that he limits his number of procedures per day, so that he can devote more time to his patients. Yes, the practice's fee is higher than some other Mexican surgeons, but we didn't want to be on a VSG assembly line with a surgeon that does 8-10 procedures a day.

Dr. Alvarez set our expectations for the surgery and recovery. He outlined what we were to do as compliant patients during our recovery, including what we could eat/drink for the next few weeks so as to not compromise our new sleeves. The assistant surgeons and medical assistants checked on us regularly, helping with pain and nausea management. All of them speak English, too. On discharge day, Dr. A visited with us to go over our medications and first week's diet.

We had a large suite, so my husband and I were in the same room. The suite was quite nice. The hospital itself is older, and less shiny than the hospitals I've been in in the states, but that didn't concern me. The hospital's nursing staff doesn't speak much English, so learning some basic phrases would be helpful (tengo dolor, tengo nausea).

Everyone with the bariatric practice was helpful, attentive, and knowledgeable. I won't pretend that I exactly enjoyed my time in the hospital, but it certainly went better than I expected, based on my previous experiences. This was my third surgery (fourth hospitalization), and it was much less stressful and painful than my previous surgeries, which were in the States. I feel like we had more attentive care in Mexico than I'd ever experienced stateside!

All in all, I'd highly recommend Dr. A's practice to anyone considering a VSG.

I had my surgery with Dr. Alvarez on May 9, 2013. My first impression of Dr. Alvarez was that he was very professional, polite and warm. Throughout my entire stay, I felt very well cared for by the Alvarez team. There was always someone from his team checking up on me. Any discomfort from the surgery was quickly addressed.

Although Dr. Alvarez doesn't have a structured after-care program (impractical since he's in Mexico), he does provide detailed instructions and is available by email or phone for any questions. I felt that this set-up suited my needs just fine.

The only semi-negative comment (and not about the Alvarez team, but just the facilities in general) I would add is pertaining to the construction at the hospital. The dust was particular bad in the hallways (although not in the rooms). I do not have allergies, but can see how some of the dust might bother someone who does. But, I'm sure that it was necessary evil to update the hospital floors.

Both surgical competence and bedside manner are important to me. Dr. Alvarez exceeded my expectations in both departments. His bedside manner has far exceeded any of the US doctors I've encountered in the past. As far as his surgical competence, I can say that I've had no issues with my surgery thus far and my recovery was uneventful. I've had bad scarring from past surgeries and can tell that Dr. Alvarez's wound closure technique has been perfected, evident in how my wounds healed perfectly (and smoothly) with minimal bruising.

I would not hesitate to recommend him to any of my family or friends. You can tell that Dr. Alvarez and his team take great pride in the work they do. I really appreciate all of their efforts.

Dr. Alvarez is everything I had seen on youtube videos and all I was searching for in a surgeon! I had my surgery on April 9th, 2013. And everything went very smoothly. My incisions 5 of them are all really small and healing very well. I'm almost 10 weeks post op and have lost 43 pounds from my highest weight :) sooo very thankful I had Dr. A as a surgeon and friend