Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

My first email to Endobariatric.com was answered promptly by Susan (his patient intake staff person). I had many questions and while I was anxious to lose weight, I was not convinced that VSG surgery was for me. I had lap-band surgery in 2011 that, like many, worked at first, but the weight crept back on. I thought that having a removable band would be safer and work well but it was neither. I did not have any band complications while it was in but it just didn't help keep the weight off long-term. Susan was so understanding - she was also a former band patient who had a revision to a VSG! I never felt that I was being sold a "product" as I did with the band.

I read a lot about Dr. Alvarez before I booked my surgery and felt very comfortable travelling to Mexico from Canada. Susan was kind enough to put me in touch with several patents of Dr. A's and they all had wonderful things to say about him, his staff and going to Mexico. I asked to speak to patents who were several years out from surgery - I wanted to know the long-term success of this surgery. I'd failed to do that with the band, and I wished I had. Seems the first year with the band, you lose, but the majority don't get to goal and gain back what they lost. A patient I'd connected with in Texas even offered to meet me (and did) to travel down to stay with me in the hospital! She was excited to show Dr. A and the staff how well she'd gotten along in the the 3 years since surgery.

I was nervous about Dr. A being able to remove the band and do the VSG surgery (this is not always possible in a single surgery) all at once but despite the scar tissue from the band, he was able to do it all in a single procedure. I was so thrilled - I was ready to start losing weight right away! The hospital was clean and quiet, the staff were wonderful and clearly well-trained, and Dr. A visited me several times to check on me and answer my questions. Within a few hours of surgery I was up walking and felt great! Since this is the his main surgery, I think he has it down to a science.

It's been just over 5 weeks since my surgery and I still feel great. I'm down 20.6 lbs from my 208 start. Scars are healing (better than they did with the band), I no longer have any acid reflux or nighttime coughs, I've not vomited a single time, and the weight is coming off! My surgery buddy (the lady who had her VSG on the same day as me) and I have continued to be in contact to compare notes - we are both so thankful we made the decision to have this surgery with Dr. A. All this to say, if you have any concerns about VSG surgery, Dr. A, or going to Mexico - don't! I just wish I'd done it sooner!!! Thanks, Dr. A!!

While talking to Susan who was always available , very informed and always answered my questions either by email or phone I felt vey comfortable. Dr. Alvarez was also available.
My Dr. in Ohio and also family members were concerned about me going to Mexico. I made them check the site and everyone was on board with me.
From the time Rosie " the driver" picked my husband and myself up I felt part of the endobariatric family. Motels were clean and comfortable.
Traveling to Mexico was exciting. We all were treated with warmth and professionalism by staff and esp. Dr. Alvarez.
My husband bonded with other supporting family members of other patients. Nurses directed them to coffee shops and rest. near by and also order meals from rest. for them.
Weather in Dec. was beautiful and we would go out walking the day after surgery. Always felt safe.
I love talking about my experience with other people. I LOVE my new stomach. :)
I have been in the medical field (nursing) 21 years. I can't say enough about Dr. Alvarez and the staffs care. That is why I give them 5 STARS .

I am 9 years out from surgery with Dr. Alvarez. I am a RN that works in surgery. I was happily surprised when I got into the OR that the equipment was the same exact equipment we use where I worked. I had no difficult and have maintained my weight loss within 20lbs of total loss. It truly saved my life, my self esteem and the way I see food. I still at times will vomit if I overeat, however that just lets me know that my sleeve is still exactly where it is suppose to be.

Chantay

Dr ALVAREZ and all his team were awesome and still are. I can call or email at any time day or night and they will respond. Myself and my best girlfriend from high school traveled there alone and never felt unsafe not one single time. This experience has changed my life forever. I live in caraway Arkansas s town so small we don't even have a stop light. I am also a nurse. I can honestly tell u that I have nothing to worry about. The hospital is a little behind time from those in the USA but the knowledge of doctors and staff are so much more advanced at these particular bariatric surgeries I wouldn't have done it any other way. Stop missing out on life and do it now. I did mine December 19, 2015 this is January 24, 2016 and I have gone from 260 pounds to 224.8

My surgery was Dec 4, 2015. At first I was very hesitant about going to Mexico for surgery. My husbands uncle almost died after his. It was not however, in Pedra Negras or with Dr A. When I did my research, I saw nothing but rave reviews about Dr A and now I get to say they were all true! My biggest fear was getting sick from the anesthesia, because I've had a few bad experiences in the past, but had absolutely no nausea at all! Everyone was so friendly and helpful. I would recommend Dr A to anyone!

My experience was really great! Everyone was really nice and professional. Everything was streamlined and well organized!

I wish the facility had been a little better upkept. It was clean, just very old and cosmetically falling apart. My room neighbor's shower was clogged up and had to use mine.

My only only issue after surgery was a lump in my throat caused by the intubation. It was very uncomfortable and felt like something stuck in my throat. It made it very difficult to swallow for about a week.

I had surgery with Dr. Alvarez on November 14th 2015. I flew all the way from Germany to have this surgery. I could have chosen a doctor from Germany or any other state but I did extensive research on VSG doctors with a long history of patients; happy satisfied patients. Also experience and low complication rates was a must for me. As I researched Dr. Alvarez I found out that not only did he perform this surgery on his niece who is a teenager but also his mother and aunt. He understands exactly how we feel about our weight problems and I felt at ease after emailing Susan and chatting with her a bit. I was nervous about sending money, thinking what if this is a scam or something. I promise you who's reading this that it is 100% legit. The doctor is amazing. He is kind and his bedside manners is better than the states. I'm a military spouse and live in Germany for now and this was a self pay deal for me. I'm so glad I chose this doctor. Seriously, I never threw up once or got nauseous or sick. My surgery was a very easy healing process for myself. I haven't had any complications what so ever. My flight home was 12 hours and Susan advised me to get anti embolism socks /which I did and wore them the whole flight home. Ok the only problem for me was watching people eat on the plane as I sipped my tea. Lol. Oh also the first 3 weeks after surgery is the most difficult time. I wasn't in pain or anything like that, it was a mental challenge for me. Clear liquids for a week than full liquids for two weeks. That will be the hardest time for those considering this surgery. I followed this diet exactly how it was laid out for me in fear of complications. It was also a way to test myself to see how strong I am mentally and I'm amazed that I did it! I'm about 5-6 weeks out and loving life. I don't regret this decision for one second. I was a low bmi patient as well 32 bmi and have lost 20 lbs in a month. Not as much as others but I'm happy that my scale is steadily going down...slowly but surely. Thank you Dr. Alvarez for being such a skilled surgeon. You are truly the best VSG surgeon in my opinion.

I am a Registered Nurse and I have researched weight loss surgery for quite some time. A co-worker told me about Dr. Alvarez so I started researching his work. The cost in the States was a big factor hindering my ability to have surgery done. Dr.Alvarez's services are so cost effective I could not pass it up. Of course, I was nervous about having surgery in Mexico but I had talked to so many who used him I took the plunge. Best decision I have ever made. He had performed so many procedures he and his staff have the whole process down to a science. My VSG went flawlessly, the whole process from drive there and home was seamless. I highly recommend Dr. Alvarez as a weight loss surgeon.

I can't thank Dr Alvarez and his team enough for changing my life and health!! When you use them for your team they treat you like your the most important person there - the hospital is spotless - and I love how Dr Alvarez and his staff keep in touch with you as you go through each phase. AWESOME and thankful to Dr Avlarez, Susan and his caring skillful team!!!!!

Where do I even start, my journey starts with always having weight issues since a young child. I would lose weight and gain weight, my scale was always up and down. As the years went by it was getting more difficult to keep the weight off and maintain it. I tried every diet possible, nutritionists, weight centers you name it I did it! I heard about Dr. Alvarez from several friends who have had the Gastric Sleeve procedure done. After seeing their transformation I started doing some research myself and decided I wanted to do it. There was this one GLICH, it was in Piedras Negras, the fear of being across the border and that's that I am from Eagle Pass the border town of Piedras Negras. I still had that thought of "what if? and so did my father and my husband. After my mother and aunt took me to my first consultation, we were bought out! His office, his staff, the hospital just THE WHOLE TEAM itself are 100% SATISFACTORY!! Thank you so much again Dr. Alvarez