"My first dealing with Dr. Alvarez was through his staff. They answered any question I had really promptly and didn't hesitate to give me further information and websites to help me research this surgery further. Because I live in Canada, and I was flying to Mexico to have my surgery, I was a little anxious, to say the least... His staff booked all of our hotels - we needed to stay an extra night due to the way the long flight. They also made all of the arrangements for getting us where we needed to be - on time. When I met Dr. Alvarez I was immediately put at ease by his fantastic "bedside manner" and easy way of relating to me as a person, not just a patient. I spent more time in Dr. Alvarez's office talking about the surgery and having all of my questions answered than I have spent in any doctor's office. Ever. Dr. Alvarez came to see me everyday when I was recovering in hospital, and twice in the first day. When I started getting an anesthesia-induced migraine, about 12 hours after the surgery, the anesthesiologist came to see me personally and checked on me twice in a 12 hour period to make sure I was feeling better. I had 2 c-sections in Canadian hospitals and I felt like I was cared for (and I mean that in the real sense of the word) better after my surgery in Mexico. The only issue I had was the language barrier, but the list of spanish phrases definitely helped me muddle my way through, and the nurses tried their best to understand if my translator was not there. I did ask the nurses and the lab techs to put on gloves when they were dealing with my blood and IV's, something which I suspect they normally don't do?? Not sure why they don't, but I felt more comfortable that way. Overall, this surgery has changed my life for the better. I would say that without this surgery I would be up at least another 10 lbs in the last 10 weeks, rather than down 45 lbs. They say only YOU can make yourself happy, and I gotta say with the help of Dr. Alvarez I am making myself very happy."
