Dr Guillermo Alvarez/Endobariatrics

Hello all. I'm feeling kinda down. Yesterday, I thought I had all of my ducks in a row.Today, surprise, that isn't the case. I was told that I have to come up with additional funds for a sleep study fee. I thought i was only going to pay the copay and get 'er done. My insurance isn't going to pay so I'm self paying. I chose a doctor in Dallas Tx. because I am afraid of going to Mexico. I have very limited funds and need this surgery but my health/welling is my first priority.I need anyone and everyone to please give feedback(positive and negative) on Dr. Alvarez and Endobariatrics.Thanks

I and my hubby were both sleeved by Dr. Alvarez about 2 months ago.  We both were very pleased with the whole experience.  He and his team really have their stuff together!  I was never really nervous about going to Mexico (had my gallbladder removed in Saudi Arabia at 18, so Mexico was no biggie, imo), but of course, we did get some raised eyebrows when telling others of our decision.  In fact, my hubby was totally against it at the beginning.

I just wrote a review for him a couple days ago, and my hubby wrote his last night.  You can see both of them here:
http://www.obesityhelp.com/profiles/bariatric-surgeon/dr-gui llermo-alvarez/#profile_reviews

His is the first one, by "Wesley" and mine is the second, by Nancy B, of course. :)

I wanted a surgeon we could afford, but I didn't want to bargain shop too much...didn't care to get rock bottom price on a pretty important surgery!  I'm also a research freak about anything I do, and I researched Dr. A like crazy.  I couldn't find anything bad. 

He also has a YouTube channel with tons of videos!  There's even one that shows the trip you take from the hotel in Eagle Pass to the hospital in Piedras Negras.

Please feel free to message me with any questions you may have.  His patient coordinator, Susan, is also very helpful in answering questions. :)

I have heard that Dr. A is amazing and have only heard wonderful things about him and his staff. 

If you decide to have surgery in Dallas, Tx my surgeon is wonderful. Dr. Cribbins is in in Plano and I had my surgery at Baylor Frisco. I am 2 weeks post op.

I posted this to another concerned member last week. ------>  I am 6 weeks out from having VSG surgery with Dr. A. First let me say clearly, Dr. Alvarez is an amazing surgeon and I have total faith in him and his skill. 

My negative experience came from the hospital nursing staff .... looking back now 6 weeks later, I can honestly say I believe there was "prejudice" at play against a wealthy white woman alone in Mexico. With that being said, I would not recommend anyone going to a Mexican hospital alone. 

I made detailed complaints to Dr. A, the patient coordinator, and another Dr. who was on the night shift. After returning to the hotel, I received a phone call from the coordinator and was rudely told to put my experience aside and be grateful for what Dr. Alvarez did for me. I kindly told her, that kind of statement was totally unnecessary and that I was hanging up. Clearly, ... it left a bad taste in my mouth. 

About 2 weeks later, I received an email response from Dr. A who assured me he had met with the hospital board regarding the incidents. So I took him at his word. 

Again though ... I would not recommend anyone going to a Mexican hospital alone. 

I wasn't sleeved by Dr A, but he was my second choice only because my husband wanted a beach to go to while I was in the hospital!! LOL!!! I did a lot of research on him and apparently he is fantastic. You can become friends with him on Facebook too. I bought his book also and it was very informative and helpful post surgery.

Good Luck!

Heidi

Whew! Thank you all for helping me out with this information

I was feeling down but now I'm so much better. I am going to contact Susan in the AM. Hopefully, I will be joining you all on the losers bench real soon. One question :did any of you have problems with your pcp providing aftercare?

Hi! I don't have any knowledge of dr A, but I wanted to say I'm in Mexico now, getting sleeved tomorrow by dr. Aceves. I met him and his staff today and they are great! I'm here alone because my husband is home watching our young kids. The lady who is also here with me to get her sleeve tomorrow, works as a nurse in the us. She said she works with two Drs who've had their sleeve done by dr Aceves too. Her medical doesn't cover sleeve and she didn't want to spend $20k in the us. So we're both here, about to go to sleep at a nice hotel, and have our sugeries in the morning! Good luck with whoever you choose!

Congratulations!!!!!!! I pray you have a speedy recovery and thanks for the encouragement!

Dr. A did my sleeve May 31st. At 5 months out I'm doing fantastic and any questions or concerns I've had I can call or email him and he's usually back to me within the hour. My experience at the hospital was awesome (I'm sorry you had a bad experience marsaglia!) and I did go by myself. Granted, speaking a little Spanish probably didn't hurt... the nurses had a good time laughing at my spanglish, lol.

As far as aftercare goes, my PCP was super against me going to Mexico. I told him that it wasn't up to him and that as my doctor it was his JOB to take care of me and that if he wasn't up for the task that I would find someone that was. (I wasn't rude, just blunt) He was alright with that and we haven't had an issue since.

As another post said above, if you have any questions I'm also more than happy to answer.