Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

I never planned to go to Mexico for surgery. I had every intention of using a Houston-based bariatric surgeon until I went to a seminar and asked them how many gastric sleeves they had performed. Their answer? 30-100. That's when I started looking elsewhere and decided on Dr. Alvarez. His experience with the sleeve was the basis for my decision. The fact that I would save money was just a bonus. Susan the coordinator kept in touch with me throughout the planning process, and I've heard from her 3 times since I've been home- very impressive. On the day of surgery, Rosie the driver picked us up in Eagle Pass it only took about 15 minutes to get Dr. Alvarez. Dr. Alvarez's nurse speaks great English and is readily available post-surgery. Everybody was very attentive and not rushing when talking to me. I really have nothing negative to say at all!

WORKING FOR A GROUP OF ER PHYSICANS FOR OVER 15 YEARS, I THOUGHT I WOULD NEVER CONSIDER GOING TO MEXICO FOR SURGERY, BUT I DID AND SO GLAD I DID. AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE. THE STAFF WAS WONDERFUL, HIS CONTACT SUSAN WAS SO GREAT, BUT MOST OF ALL DR. ALVAREZ WAS TRULY AMAZING. I AM 5 DAYS POST OP AND FEELING SO GOOD. THE SURGERY WENT GREAT AND HIS BED SIDE MANNER IS THE BEST EVER. HE STAYS IN TOUCH WITH YOU THE WHOLE WAY THROUGH. NO FEARS AT ALL AFTER I MET HIM. SURGERY WENT GREAT. LOVED HIS ASSISTANT DR. R ALSO. I HAVE ALREADY LOST 22LBS AND FEELING GREAT. DR. ALVAREZ HAS BUSTED THE CEILING ON ANY RATING SCALE. I HAVE TO SAY IT WAS A PERFECT DECISION I MADE AND SO GLAD I DID. MK

After a year of research I decided to choose Dr Alvarez and his team in Piedras Negras to perform my VSG.Choosing the doctor it wasn't hard as many of the posts on OH clearly stated the great satisfaction people got by using him. So, I was very confident with my decision based on the other testimonials and on the smooth process from the moment I sent my first e-mail to Susan (the patient coordinator) to the moment Rosy (the driver) dropped me off at La Quinta Inn to wait for my departure back home. The doctor was not only skilled but also had warmness that you would want to find in a doctor. I have never felt severe pain, just discomfort, I was able to go back to work the same day I arrived back home (my plane arrived at 1:00 pm and I went back to work for 4.5 hours at 4:00 pm), I started working full time in my second week. I have no complains whatsoever. The hospital may not be what you expect after seeing the hospitals in the US, but who cares? It is clean, and the nurses are nice. The room in which I stayed had everything I need, from personal bathroom to computer, TV and a phone very close where you could be called and make long distance phone calls in the US for free.rnOverall, I would recommend Dr Alvarez to anyone else who consider the surgery. I rarely write reviews, but I felt Dr Alvarez really gained my appreciation.rn

After extensive research and on the advice of a friend I looked up Dr. Guillermo Alvarez in Piedras Negras, Coahuila Mexico. I found out he was “top rated” and one of the best surgeons in the continent. I was pleased with the findings so I called Susan gave her my info and set up a tentative surgery date of February 10 and also made an appointment to see Dr. Alvarez for a pre-op consultation, luckily I live only 250 miles away. My first impression of Dr. Alvarez on January 19 was “WOW” first of all no language barrier, it was like communicating with a doctor from the States. He answered all my questions, took his time with me and was very helpful and informative. He is very professional and has a very nice office. His staff was also great. I started my pre-op liquid diet the following day and stayed on it for three weeks until the day of the surgery. Rosy, the driver picked up my Mom and me and two other ladies who also had surgery that day. After the surgery Dr. Alvarez , Dr. Gabriel and the anesthesiologist came to see me several times that day to make sure I was alright. The hospital stay was great, the nursing staff was amazing, and eventhough not all of them spoke English, they were all so nice and caring. My entire stay was a great experience, no doctor that has tended to me before has come by to see me as many times as Dr. Alvarez and Dr. Gabriel did. I can’t recommend him enough. In my opinion, he is one of the best doctor I’ve ever known.

I did a lot of research before choosing Dr. Alvarez. What I found over and over was that people said how personable and competent he is at what he does. This is definitely true. He makes you feel that you are his only patient, and he exudes confidence at what he does. All his staff are very personable as well, and eager to help you feel comfortable and calm. I felt I was in very capable hands from the very beginning, and through each aspect of the journey. Dr. A gives you his email address/office phone # and makes sure you know it's ok/preferable to contact him with any questions or concerns after surgery. I would absolutely recommend Dr. Alvarez to anyone considering WLS.

Dr.Alvarez was the coolest doctor even though he was in Mexico. I was kind of afraid but things worked out great. Allrnhis staff was great too. Too bad I could not have him for my regular doctor. The only thing I dont like about it was there is no after program but he gives you all the instruction on how to eat and drink . He does not let you eat too early unlike the other doctors. They are only a phone call away if you have problems or questions. The experience was very good and if I had to do it over again I would have done it sooner rather then later.I would recommend any one doing this it is cash basis only and you dont have to jump hoops to get insurance or anything else to do this, the money will help save your life.rnrnrnrn

My first impression of Dr. Alvarez was that he was very handsome and also a huge sweetheart, very professional and he knew what he was talking about. He never made you feel like the fat person. My impression never changed. There was not one thing I did not like.For future patients Dr. Alvarez is a wonderful doctor very caring he comes to see you several times after surgery and up till the day you are discharged. He explains everything that will happen to you in his office besides the paper work you receive before hand,and the risk that are involved. The day of discharge he will sit down with you and give you all the discharge info you will need and your medication. I would rate Dr. Alvarez a overall 200%. The whole staff I also rate them a 200%, they were also very respectful and pleasent to be around my favorite was Christina the RN.I love what Dr.Alvarez has done for me and I am greatful to him and his staff, THANK YOU!

Well I am almost 3 months post op and a little late doing this!! My experienc with Dr A was wonderful! His whole staff was wonderful, very caring and looked after your well being!! My surgery went great! I had a little nausea after surgery which was easily remedied with some medication! They were checking on me every couple hours to make sure I was comfortable. I had barely any pain and not much swelling! Once I started on my liquids I never looked back! Dr A or his associate checked on me 3-4 times a day, which you would never find here in the US. I would recommend any of my family or friends to use him!! The hospital was older but very clean and very quiet! I am glad I was able to make this journey!!

I was very pleased with the treatment I received from Dr. Alvarez. He, his staff, and the nursing staff of the hospital were friendly, courteous, and good at their jobs. They clearly do a lot of VSG surgeries and they have their procedures down to a science, very well organized.rnrnThe facility was nice and clean - a little different in appearance from what we are used to in the States but still very nice. The individual rooms were particularly nice with good TVs, nice bathrooms, and Internet access.rnrnMost importantly the surgery went very well. I emerged from surgery with exactly the sort of surgical recovery discomfort that he and other patients described. But it passed quickly. I was feeling quite good within days. The tiny laparoscopic scars are healing very nicely. You'll barely be able to see them soon.rnrnMy weight loss has been better than I hoped. I had a BMI of 31.6 so I feared that I would lose weight slowly. Instead I have lost 32 pounds in three weeks and I am still losing steadily if more slowly. I've already had to buy new clothes. Dr. Alvarez's detailed instructions on post-op diet have been easy to follow and have worked very well.rnrnI think some people might be concerned about the security situation along the border these days. There was certainly a lot in the news around the time I went to Piedras Negras. But everything I had seen indicated that the violence was restricted to the drug gangs fighting each other and the authorities. Little to no violence I had read about affected the general public, US or Mexican. So I didn't think twice about going to Piedras Negras and I'm glad I wasn't scared off.rnrnI would whole heartedly recommend having a VSG done by Dr. Alvarez. He takes good care of you, the results are fantastic, and the prices just can't be beat compared to the US.rnrnJon

Dr. Alvarez and his staff were awesome! The service provided to me began the moment I left the airport. His driver Rosy was so friendly and able to answer all of my questions. The hotel accommadations provided were top notch and all the hotel staff treated me and my husband with the utmost respect. Dr. Alvarez is so incredibly personable, down to earth yet very professional. Within 5 minutes of meeting him I felt I was in safe hands. In our preop meeting he did not rush me, but rather answered all my questions thoroughly. He spent the time to get to know me as a person not just another surgery patient for the day. The private hospital where the surgery took place was somewhat old yet very clean and again the nursing staff were excellent. Dr. Alvarez had one of his nurses stay with me until I was put under. She was so kind and caring. Dr. Alvarez has specific rooms in one area of the hospital for his patients only. My room accommadated myself and my husband, had a flat screen tv, computer with internet , availability of a phone to make long distance calls to home at no charge and a full bathroom with a walk in marble tile shower. My day of surgery, Dr. Alvarez checked in on me 3 times, his nurse at least 5 times and the hospital nurses every hour. I have never received health care at this level in any facility in Canada.rnBefore I left to go home Dr. Alvarez thoroughly reviews aftercare, provided me with all the medication needed (not just the prescriptions for me to fill) and provided me with his personal email address and cell phone number to call at any time with questions. Dr. Alvarez also has a nurse / administrative assistant who has answered many, many of my emails and phonecalls with friendly helpful advice. Prior to my surgery I was given a complete aftercare and diet guidelines booklet. Since my surgery, whenever I have had questions, Susan (nurse and admin assistant) has been able to address them immediately. She has been so positive and supportive.rnrnWithout hesitation I would recommend Dr. Alvarez for Vertical Sleeve surgery. I have had no complication to date. I would be happy to speak with any one who is considering the surgery with Dr. Alvarez.