Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

We came to Memphis from Norfolk, had 4minutes to catch our connecting to SAN. Flight was fine, we then went with Rosy to Eagle Pass--I slept mostly in the car. We went to Modernos (home of the original nachos) and had my last meal. Ididn't like it so much, but it was a nice restuarant and it all was very authentic. My DH loved it. I said goodbye to diet coke then and there.rnrnLater, at the hotel, I got a bit emotional and scared. This is such a life changing event, and if you're reading this, you get it. Took a bath, shaved my legs, went and had a wonderful sleep in a wonderful bed.rnWoke up refreshed and ready. Rosy picked us up (sleeve sister Karen also) and went to DR. A's office. The town isn't what we're used to in terms of cleanliness and infastructure, but as long as you know that going in, you'll be okay.rnDr. Alvarez is very warm and bright. I immediately felt at ease when I met him. We went for Xrays, and blood work...now, the hospital is very old. It surprised my sleeve sister. I had seen pictures, so I wasn't as surprised. BUt my husband was taken aback by it. Our room is small, but very nice, it smells funny--so bring a tiny candle or a stick up. I've been in here for about 2 hours, and the smell is going away, so -its fine.rnI'm just waiting for surgery...rnI know I'll do great.rnI'll update as soon as i can.rnrnOne day out of surgery. It was tough waking up. The pain hit me hard. It hits people very differently, hit me quite hard. The pain meds didn't make much of a difference, but later that night dr. A brought me some good pain meds and something to help me sleep. That was just what I needed. I wished for more of that.rnI've been walking a lot, which helps...and feeling a little better. My legs are weak, and I feel weak all over, so we'll see how my first week goes.rnAs far as Dr. A and his staff, they are great!!!!!!!!!!

What is there to say about a wonderful person, Dr Alvarez He and his staff are the best, I have meet him in San Antonio a couple of months ago and I told him i will see you in a few months. Well I did and had the sleeve on June 5th, everything went well from Rosie picking us up at the hotel to Priscilla helping get x-rays and blood work. She was always there with a kind hand. And I was even more happier that I saw Susan again. I live about 5 hour drive from Dr. Alvarez so my brother came with me on the way back home he started to talk about surgery for him if his diet does not work for him. So brothers being brothers of course made a bet. I also meet my sleeve sister Barb from Canada. To sum it all up Dr. Alvarez, Dr. Gabriel and the whole staff was great. And Thank you and GOD BLESS YOU ......P.S. If any body have question just drop me a line I will be glad to talk to you.

Dr. Alvarez is FABULOUS. I took my 70 year old mom with me to stay with me at the hospital (my husband was home with our little boys). When we came off the elevator, Dr. Alvarez was in the hall and there were introductions all around. He said \"Let me take you to your room\" and he took my mom's bag and schlepped it from one end of the hospital to the other. Then he saw us comfortably in our rooms and patted my mom's cheek and said \"we love to have mamas here\". My mom is in love :).rnrnHe came in a couple of times prior to surgery - very very nice. Took time with the pre-op questionaire. Answered questions. Was just extremely down-to-earth. Also, his whole staff is terrific. The patient coordinator, driver, and day nurse are all fabulous.rnrnI had a complication during surgery. They got in and found a mass on my liver. Dr. A went back in and made a video of the mass so a gastroenterogist back in town could see what was going on. He came back to the room several times to see how I was doing and to explain what had happened.rnrnBack home, turns out after an MRI that it is a Focal Nodular Hyperplasia and is just hanging out on my liver - pretty common, totally benign, and no treatment needed. So ... it's back to mexico for the Gastric Sleeve. I wouldn't consider going to anyone else.

He was great!rn

My first impression of Dr. A was he is cuter than his pics. He is very personalble and make you feel at ease quickly. His asst Dr. Gabriel and Private nurse Priscilla are very attentive and take care of your every needs. I received excellent care at the hospital by the staff and was never in pain. I would recommend Dr. A to anyone looking to have VSG.

When I first met Dr. Alvarez I was confident that I chose the right surgeon. He is very knowledgable and patient and takes the time to explain everything clearly to you prior to surgery and doesn't make you feel rushed like many doctors here in the U.S. My whole experience went without a hitch thanks to his competent staff, Susan and Rosy are great and every detail is taken care of for you. The hospital was okay, it was clean and the nurses were always checking on us, I only wish they had call buttons because I thought I was running a fever and had to go out to the nurses station to get my temperature, but I ended up being fine. That would be my only suggestion, they already seem to be renovating the hospital. The Dr. checked on us every day after surgery and also explained in detail all of our aftercare. Overall I would give Dr. Alvarez a 10!

Looking foward to meeting Dr. Alvarez and his team.

I'm an RN, and am pretty picky about choosing health care professionals. I ask questions, do research, quiz everyone who has ever been to a certain doctor, etc. When I planned to have VSG surgery, a revision from a lapband that slipped, I did the same thing, and the same name came up over and over: Dr. Guillermo Alvarez.rnI didn't care that they said he was handsome (he is). I didn't care that they said his hospital was old but very clean (it is). I didn't even care that the suites his patients stay in are newly refurbished and have internet access (they do). I only cared if he was capable of doing a stellar job on my surgery. He was.rnMatter of fact, he surpassed my expectations. The entire procedure, including every member of his staff, the hotels I stayed in, the hospital nurses...all of them were fantastic. But Dr. Alvarez.....well, Dr. Alvarez has a love and a passion for what he does. It's easy to see why his patients are so happy. He treats every patient as if they are a family member. He's professional, sincere, happy, intelligent, compassionate, and completely accommodating, and his surgical skill is obvious. My entire surgery process was remarkable, and I owe it all to Dr. Alvarez.rnIf you are choosing a physician for VSG, your search is over. You will not be disappointed.

My first impression of Dr. Alvarez was DAM! I'M SO FAT, AND HE'S SO HANDSOME!!!! I know...I know...just couldn't help myself. My impression never did change over time...It only got better. I was crying when I first walked in his office, and his beautiful nature as a human being was way overwhelming...SUCH a gem of a doctor! He made me feel safe and secure IMMEDIATELY! And NO, not cause he's handsome! :-) The office staff....mainly Susan, his coordinator was simply awesome. She ALWAYS took the time to answer my calls and/or email. She's # 1 in my book! What I liked most about her was she seemed concerned and caring, giving my questions full attention. Anyway, Dr. A went over everything....what the results should be...what the risks are....how important to follow the rules...and to top it off, I CANNOT thank the Dr/staff enough for their show of utter respect not only to me, but to my son!! They each totally made my son feel at ease, and like it was VERY important for him to know everything as well! And I cannot thank them enough for that! Surgical competence and bedside manner are rated a 12! Dr. Alvarez and his staff are the top of the line. I sincerely thank them for giving me back my life! Wow...HOW do you thank someone for that? I must say....I have NEVER experienced a doctor in the States like this one....I just haven't. God Bless Dr. Alvarez

I had my revision surgery with Dr. Alvarez on May 12 and the whole experience went like clockwork. I flew in on May 10th from Korea to Dallas (14hrs), spent the night in Dallas and the next day flew to San Antonio where I met up with my sister and then Rosie who took us to Eagle Pass. The next day was on to the office to meet the Dr. and his staff and it was just like everyone else had said; very friendly, very knowledgeable and a great staff. I had a botched lap band which the Dr. removed and then performed the VSG. I had only minor discomfort with no pain then or since. The nursing care was great and my sister and I always felt comfortable and assured that we were in good hands. The only negative, and a very small one, was that we were in one of the older rooms and the couch was a little uncomfortable for my sister. Once in San Antonio, we had the hotel shuttle take us to the Walmart where we stocked up on water and Crystal Light. The next day my sister flew back to Chicago and I to Dallas where I spent 2 more nights before returning to Korea. I highly recommend Dr. Alvarez and his team for any bariatric surgery. They are real professionals and very caring.rnrnI have lost 10 lbs. since surgery and 33 lbs. in total since my preop diet.