"Hi! I wanted to share my experience of have my VSG surgery by Dr. Alvarez on March 6, 2018. As I write this review on May 8, 2018 I am down a total of 53 pounds. I have struggled with my weight my whole life and was a perpetual yo-yo dieter. My health insurance did not cover the VSG procedure stateside, so I elected to explore other options for the procedure. I found Dr. Alvarez through Pinterest of all places and made contact with Susan, his amazing Patient Coordinator before Thanksgiving 2017. After filling out the Health questionnaire and waiting a few days, I received a personalized video from Dr. A himself! It was a video all about me and how the VSG procedure could benefit me and my current health. I reflected and thought some more about my decision, and eventually booked my surgery date and sent my deposit in. Time flew by so fast and before I knew it I was preparing to complete my pre-op diet. This was probably the toughest part of the surgery journey for me, but completely do-able. I realized my relationship with food during the pre-op liquid diet was more mental than anything. During the preparation for surgery, I also had severe doubts about traveling to have weight loss surgery. I was scared, nervous, and almost canceled my trip. I am so thankful that Susan talked me off of the ledge and I went through with it. I had some trouble getting out on my original flight due to the weather (thank you, freak snow storm) and my surgery that I had originally scheduled for Saturday, March 3 was rescheduled to Tuesday, March 6, due to the travel delays. Dr. A and his staff were super accommodating to me and made sure I still had my surgery done. This proved to be an awesome time to meet some "sleeve sisters" who are now some near and dear friends. I ended up hanging out with two ladies from Las Vegas, two ladies from Arkansas, and one from Australia, who all were sleeved with me and we all still communicate to this day. Rosie, Dr. A's cousin is your shuttle driver from San Antonio to Piedras Niegras and she is so sweet, accommodating, and knowledgable. She is the first person you meet from Endobariatric when you arrive. The hotel accommodations you stay in (Hampton Inn) before and after your sleeve are top notch and the nurses in the hotel that take care of you (Jessie and Karen) are the absolute sweetest. My experience in the hospital wasn't too crazy at all. The morning of your surgery you are taken to have your pre-op work up done-weigh in, blood work, chest x-ray, and paper work. Then you are placed into your hospital room until its your turn for surgery. I ended up having my surgery last so I talked to all of my new friends, surfed WiFi, read my book, and chatted with the nurses, who are AMAZING. When it was time for them to come take me back for surgery, the last thing I remember was them asking me if I wanted anything for my nerves and I replied that I was fine and moved over the gurney and the next thing I knew I was waking up in my room post-op. I did however have some really bad nausea and dry heaving that is completely normal post op from the anesthesia. I hate throwing up and when I started crying and getting upset from the pain of the dry heaves and the pressure of my stomach having just been operated on and trying to throw up, I had 4 nurses in my room, and 2 doctors. All were comforting me and calming me down. I was so shocked as I know this type of care would never of happened in the US. They gave me medication for nausea, pain, and to help me sleep. I slept so soundly for a while (about 7 hours) and woke up in the middle of the night multiple times when my overnight nurse was giving me meds and checking on me. After my night in the hospital it was back to the Hampton Inn for a night, then back to San Antonio where I flew home on the 8th. The pain I experienced post-op was minimal, and I returned to my job on the following Monday, 6 days after I had my surgery. Overall, I would highly, highly, recommend Dr. A, and his wonderful staff. I will reiterate how scared I was to go to Mexico for this surgery, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. He is an amazingly talented doctor, and he and his staff genuinely care about your success. I have met and made so many wonderful friends from this experience, and have gained so much for my health. "
