Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

I chose Dr. Alvarez because of his price and location. However, after working with Susan, and reading everyone's testimonials here, I am glad I made this choice. I am excited and happy about my choice! At the hospital, I felt immediately comfortable with him, and after the surgery, he was checking on us 3-4 times a day! rnrnGreat surgeon, I would recommend him for anyone getting a sleeve!

I'm from Houston, TX and I had the LapBand surgery in July 2007. Choosing Dr. Alvarez, we sometimes call him \"Dr. A\", to perform the procedure was one of the best decisions I've ever made. He made the possibility of having the weight loss surgery a reality for me. After search and calling all over the country, Dr. A offered the most affordable surgery compared to anyone. This was really important to me because I don't have insurance and I needed other options to get this surgery. This was the first surgery I ever had, so naturally I was a little nervous at first. But after talking to Dr. Alvarez & his staff, any reservations I had were gone. Dr. Alvarez is very knowledgable, patient and explains the procedures so clearly. rnrnI drove to Eaple Pass, which only about 2 hours outside of San Antonio and the ride was amazing! My surgery was performed in the hospital there in Piedras Negras, MX, I stayed there in the hospital for just one day. The nurses didn't speak too much English but they were very helpful, friendly and understood when I needed something. The procedure was done laproscopically, meaning there were smaller incisions which results in a faster healing time. I was back to work in a few days, with no problems. Since then, my weight loss has been steady and I have had no problems whatsoever. He is all around one of the best bariatric surgeons and I will gladly recommend Dr. A to anyone who is considering weight loss surgery.

Dr. Alvarez is a perfect “10”! My first impression of Dr. Alvarez was that he was very attentive and wanted to make sure he covered all the bases with not only me but with my fiancé who I brought with me as well. He took the time to answer all of our questions, and brought his Apple Laptop with him which contained all of my patient information. I never felt rushed or like a burden. Overtime, I would say that I just grew more comfortable with him. Dr. Alvarez is a good surgeon and a good man. You can tell that he loves what he does, and loves helping people. It is as if he was born specifically to do this type of work. Additionally, his entire staff Susan (coordinator), Rosie (driver), and the entire nursing staff are top notch individuals who care about Dr. Alvarez’s patients. An important thing to note is that he was trained in Europe and assisted in many surgeries before he began dong the VSG on his own, thus he has a lot of experience. While you won’t be getting your aftercare in Mexico, Dr. A makes sure that when you leave the hospital you have everything you need to give to your PCP (primary care physician); he sends you home with a folder that contains all of your vital information, the procedure that was done and how it was done as well as a form for your employer that details the weight restriction (5lbs-1st week, and then add 5lbs each additional, so 2nd week 10lbs) and also a sheet for your taxes if you decide to claim it. I want to emphasis that as a self-pay money was not an issue, safety and skill were my primary focus. I chose Dr. Alvarez because of his skill level and also because of what others on this website have said. I could have gone anywhere; I chose to go to Mexico because Dr. Alvarez was in Mexico. If he had been in France I would have gone to France to have him perform my surgery. The price tag was a bonus, but not the reason. If you have the opportunity to have Dr. Alvarez do your surgery you will be in very good, skilled hands. Check my profile for more info (I have a full recap) and feel free to ask me any questions you may have about the surgery.

I can't say enough about Dr. Alvarez and his staff. My husband had surgery in August of 2007 and because his insurance would not pay for it we choose Dr Alvarez (Thank God we did). Our first impression of Dr Alvarez was how nice he was (he helped us with our luggage not happening in the US). The staff was wonderful, they answered every question we could think of and then some. While in the hospital Dr. Alvarez came by twice a day to check on my husband and myself, he also helped me as to where I could go to eat. Bedside manner there are no words, he and staff are WONDERFUL. I would recommend him to any one incuding family. My husband has lost 85lbs and is only 15 lbs from his goal, he and I are so happy, if it wasn't for Dr Alvarez I'm not sure my husband would be with me today. The whole reason for the surgery was medical, he had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and was taking over 100 units of insulin a day, since the day we left the hospital Larry has not taken any medicine for any of the above. Please if you need or want this surgery I would highy recommend Dr Alvarez and his staff.

I had surgery with Dr Alvarez on Nov 13, 2007. While I was worried about going to Mexico for surgery, especially because I have heart disease (heart attack Feb '04), I wanted someone truly experienced in the VSG, and there were so many great comments about him on this board, I knew I couldn't go wrong. My experience was great, he spent alot of time prior to the surgery to answer any questions/address concerns, Rosie (his cousin and the driver) was just as sweet as could be and Priscilla (the nurse assigned to my care from 8 am-8pm) was absolutely awesome. The best of all was Susan (his office coordinator), she was the point of contact before and after the surgery, the person I went to (constantly) with my questions/concerns, and the person I still bother from time to time. I really haven't had any surgeries...this was it other than childbirth and the heart stent, but the care I received was second to none. Dr A. checked in on me several times a day and was always just a phone call away if I should need him. Customer service and patient satisfaction is #1 with him and all his staff, as evidenced by my experience. P.S. VSG is working great, very few side effects/problems, and down 24 lbs in six weeks!

On a scale of 1-10. Dr. Alvarez is a 12.

I had complete confidence and calm with my decision after reading so many wonderful reviews about Dr. Alvarez and his staff. My husband was nervous since I first mentioned the surgery and was even more so when I told him I had decided on Dr. Alvarez in Mexico. But he felt MUCH better after meeting and talking with Dr. A. He was so thorough and complete in telling us about the procedure, risks, aftercare, etc.rnSusan is absolutely wonderful! I can't imagine any office having anyone more concerned, competent and quicker to respond to phone calls or emails than Susan. Dr. A's cousin, Rosy, who drove us to and from San Antonio is a sweetheart, too.rnShe was so easy to talk to and helped make the 2+ hour trip coming and going much easier. Priscilla, is his newest employee - a private nurse who is with you alot in the hospital. She speaks English (the majority of the nurses don't) so she's a real PLUS to his team. rnI think one of the best things I can say to describe my experience is: THERE WERE NO SURPRISES which is a big plus to them. It just shows how thorough they are pre-surgery and have been just as much so post surgery.

Dr. Alvarez and his staff were great. I can't say enough wonderful things about Susan, Rosie and Pricilla. My entire experience in Mexico was positive. Don't let the idea of \"Mexico\" scare you. The hospital was cleaner than most here and the attention your given is deffinitly better than you receive in the States. I will never regret my choice.

Dr Alvarez and his whole team are everything and more that everyone says he is. Kindness radiates from his smile. There is kindness in the simplest touch. His team is professional, compassionate and very kind.rnDr A. is through in explaining the procedure, the before care, the after care, the diet to follow. I can't imagine there is a better surgeon out there who cares as much for his patients as Dr A does.rnDr A bedside manner was second to none, as was his competence with the knife.

I had spent months trying to get approved for lapband surgery. Within that time I began to have serious doubts about whether lapband was my best choice. Then someone mentioned vertical gastric sleeve. I did research and through my research I learned about Dr. Alvarez. So I called and spoke to Susan his Coordinator. She was very helpful and nice and she put up with my nerves. And let me tell you I was nervous. I scheduled my surgery for September 18, 2007. I eargerly and nervously looked forward to my date. Could this really be the tool that would change my life forever? rnrnMy experience was a 10+. We met Dr Alvarez the morning of our surgery. I remembered being so nervous. But when I met Dr Alvarez he answered my questions and concerns and he calmed me down. He is an excellent surgeron. The care in the hospital was great. Dr. Alvarez was wonderful. Checking on me several times each day while at the hospital. Even checking on me before surgery. I can honestly say that I had no pain. Just a bit of discomfort. But no real pain. rnrnAs we were getting checked out of the hospital Dr. Alvarez gave us each a big hug wishing us sucess with our new tool. He sent instructions and medications for us to take with us. And he gives you a surgical report to take to your Doctor here in the states that describes exactly what he did in the surgery. And I can call or email Dr. Alvarez or Susan his Coordinator and they get back to you right away with any questions I may have.rnrnIt has been 1 month since my surgery. I am down 19 pounds. I have not been hungry. I LOVE MY SLEEVE.rnrnSo if you are thinking of having Vertical Gastric Sleeve and you are considering Dr. Alvarez, I would recommend that you do not hesitate. He and his staff are the best you could ask for. It is the best thing I have ever done for myself!!!!!