Endohospital Bariatric Center

July 15rnrnI am one month out from my gastric sleeve surgery by Dr.Alvarez in Mexico, and I've already lost 30 pounds. My experience there was very positive except for the significant discomforts that first night after surgery, and it was only discomfort, not pain. Dr. Alvarez and his staff filled me with confidence from the moment I met them. Everyone there was very professional and courteous and went out of their way to help me. My recovery was unremarkable and I was back at work three days after surgery. So far I am absolutely positive about this surgery and recommend it highly, especially over the lap band and more radical procedures. I can and do eat almost everything I ate before, but at a greatly reduced rate, and as compared to the lap band, I'll never need a fill or worry about getting a too large piece of food stuck.

I have not met Dr. Alvarez yet but I have only heard lots and lots of positive things about him. Susan, my coordinator, has been so quick in giving me info (even on a Saturday!) and helpful! I also like the fact that my surgeon can speak Spanish with my husband so that he will be more comfortable with the whole process.rnrn2 days post-op:rnDr. Alvarez is the most kind, patient, gentle doctor I've ever had. I asked him if he would start doing plastics so that I could go to him and continue with a great experience! He is truly an amazing doctor and I would recommend him over anyone!

I highly recommend Dr. Guillermo Alvarez. I had my VSG with him on June 9th and the entire experience was flawless. From being picked up at the airport to getting questions answered, my blood-work done, prepping in the OR to recovery both in MX and once at home, the entire staff is responsive, caring, professional and at ease. Their confidence made me confident in my decision. rnrnDr Alvarez takes all the time you need to prepare you once you are at his office. He answered all my questions and calmed my husbands nerves. He was also in to see me several times a day when I was recovering. His energy is so positive.rnrnIf I had to have elective surgery in the future and Dr. Alvarez was an option, would I go back? Absolutely. I would also recommend him to family and friends. rnrnHe and his staff care about their patients for life. I never hesitate to contact Dr. Alvarez or his staff with a question or concern. I know that he is still my doctor, even if he is in another country!rn

Let me begin by saying that after doing a wealth of research, I chose for my surgeon, Dr. Guillermo Alvarez in Piedras Negras, Mexico. Not only has he done more VSGs than any surgeon I researched in the United States (over 276), out of all of those surgeries, he has a zero leakage rate. rnrnAt nine days post op I am feeling 100% back to normal; I am happy and energetic, all this due to the excellent surgical skills of my new hero, Dr. Alvarez. rnrnFrom Dr. Alvarez's coordinator, Lydia, answering all of my questions post-op (and believe me, I kept that wonderful woman busy), to lovely Rosie meeting us at San Antonio airport, my pre-op experience was smooth going, without any bumps. These two women are warm and friendly and make sure you are comfortable. Lydia with her prompt answers via email and phone, and Rosie with her chatty nature making the ride to San Antonio seem like minutes.rnrnThe hotel where we stayed in San Antonio was lovely. Immaculate, with a complimentary breakfast in the a.m. (which I couldn't have, LOL), a pool to have a relaxing swim, all of the accouterments you would expect at a nice hotel.rnrnThe morning of surgery, Rosie picked us up at the hotel and drove us a few short miles over the border to Mexico. We met Dr. Alvarez in his lovely office and had our pre-op meeting with him. I was weighed, and then we walked right to the hospital which was in an adjoining building. rnrnThe hospital is not a new structure, so be prepared for that, but a cleaner establishment you would be hard pressed to find anywhere in the U.S.A. There is continual cleaning going on and the walls and floors are sparkling. rnrnDr. Alvarez got us settled in our rooms, the nurse came and took blood, and I took a nap since my surgery wasn't scheduled for a few hours. rnrnWhen it was my turn, the nurses rolled me down the hall to the surgery suite, I passed through the famous window and then was prepped. I felt not at all nervous, but if I had, Dr. A. told me I could have a little something to take the edge off. In what seemed like an instant, the nurses were waking me up in recovery, and I was wheeled back to my room.rnrnI began walking within hours of my surgery and I felt really good! The nurses were like clockwork, taking my blood pressure, and giving me meds via my IV. Dr. Alvarez came and checked on me, and all in all I felt so well taken care of! The nurses always seemed to have a smile for me, and I really didn't have any problem communicating with them with my handy \"cheat sheet\" of phrases and words that Lydia emailed me.rnrnFor the next two days, I recovered in the hospital, and the second day after surgery Rosie came and picked us up to take us to San Antonio. What another lovely hotel we had!! I felt so great, that I could hardly believe that I had had surgery two days before! I had no problem boarding the shuttle to the airport the next morning, and was quite comfortable on my flight home. rnrnOnce home, I felt as if I could resume work immediately, but I followed doctor's orders and took it easy for a couple of weeks. I have to let you know, though, I fudged, and did go back to work just one week post-op. I felt that great! rnrnI cannot say enough about the wonderful care I received from everyone, but I especially want to sing the praises of my wonderful bariatric surgeon, Dr. Alvarez. He is a true master of his craft, and I am living proof of that mastery. I was so glad I did my homework and that I found whom I now believe to be the leading bariatric surgeon in the Western Hemisphere. I have the tiniest incisions, am losing weight like crazy, and here I am at nine days post-op feeling like I could do a full gym work-out. Of course, I will follow the doctor's instructions and wait for thirty days before I do that! (LOL) rnrnrnrn rnrnrnrn

My Whole Mexico experience went beyond my expectations!rnLet me start of by saying everything is so well coordinated from Rosie picking us up at the Airport to the Hotel Stays And the operation,rnto the day we leave.rnDr Alvarez is such a Amazing surgeon and wonderful person , its incredible how he makes you feel at ease once to get to talk to him in his office. My Mom and I felt so confident in him.He comes and visits you alot ater surgery. You can be confident in what he says is exactly how it is going to be, for example, I had a bit of a sore throat after surgery and he said he was going to give me some anti inflammatory meds for that and in 48 hours it will be back to normal and sure enough that’s exactly how it went.rnHe does all the possible to make you and your guest feel comfy . I have never met a Dr Quite like him.rnYes, The hospital is a older hospital with old style ways but very clean, and the nurses take very good care of you.rnand when we where there, they were constructing 4 new suites just for his patients I am pretty sure they are going to be great!rnI am so very happy I chose Dr Alvarez to perform my V.S.G. rn

One thing stands out about Dr. Alvarez: he is passionate about what he does. That passion was evident to me as he was always encouraging and joyful. When I met him on the morning of surgery, I immediately felt at peace with my decision to go to Mexico and to put myself in Dr. Alvarez's hands. My husband who is quite picky also loved him. Although the nurses do not speak English, they are extremely professional, even wearing the caps and white uniforms which have disappeared in America.rnrnI have not had any complications even though I am older. I never had any pain and was quickly able to take walks and carry out my responsibilities. My only adjustment has been to the process of learning how to eat without upsetting my stomach. Sometimes I eat too fast or too much, but once or twice of that teaches me quickly.rnrnI highly recommend Dr. Alvarez. You'll love him!

I felt comfortable with Dr. Alvarez immediately. His office is nice, his staff is friendly and helpful. I do not believe there was anything I did not like about Dr. Alvarez! I would recommend him to anyone, including my closest family members. Dr. Alvarez visited me in my room several hours after my surgery and again 4 times the day following my surgery, I was really impressed by him taking this amount of time. He met with me before discharge and explained ALL aftercare proceedures to my satisfaction and explained all the medication he was sending home with me. I would rate Dr. Alvarez a 9 out of 10 (the only reason I do not give hime a 10 is because I have never been to any other surgeon before! I loved the overall care I received from Dr. Alvarez, as well as Dr. Rodreguez who assisted him. The only thing I would change about my WLS experience would be regarding the hospital care after surgery. The very small and very uncomfortable couches provided for guests are completely unacceptable. My husband had to nap in my hospital bed when I was not in it, and he came home with a horrible backache! Also, I would take my own thermometer for taking post op temps, as the nurses still use the outdated armpit method, which I feel may not be accurate. I also feel there should be one english speaking nurse on each shift just in case there are language barriers! Again, I want to say how pleased I was with Dr. Alvarez!!

After doing quite a bit of reasearch I decided that Dr. Alvarez would be the best surgeon for me. I knew the monment that I met Dr. Alvarez that I had made the right decision for myself. He made me feel at ease from the first moment that I met him. He answered every question that I asked him. He is such a warm, caring, and friendly person. He took us over to the hospital and did blood work and then it was time for surgery. He is an excellant surgeon. I was hardly sore after surgery and I had very little bruising, which is unusual for me. He came to room to check on me 5-6 times a day. When walking in the hallway Dr. Alvarez would smile and say what he was glad to see me up and walking. When it was time to leave Dr. A came in and explained about the medication he was giving me and answered all questions. He gave me a little box for the medicine and he also included a magnet to stick on your frig. This included phone numbers and an email address to contact him with questions or in case of emergency. He aways assured me that there would be no complications or emergencies during or after my surgery, and if there was he would take care of me. I didnt have any problems, but I know he would have kept his word!rnrnI feel very blessed to have found Dr. Avarez. He is an awesome Doctor and person. Even though you only see him for a short time, you fill as though you have made a friend for life. I have no regrets in my choice of surgeon and if I had it to do again I know with out a doubt I would choose Dr. Alvarez all over again. Dr. Alvarez you are the best!!!

I was very impressed with Dr. A and the hospital and surgery room. Everyone was more than helpful. I don't speak spanish, but Dr. A and his staff provided a list of common phrases that we used and showed to nurses. Dr. a has excellent bedside manners and put my wife and I to ease and answered all of our questions. My sister in law had surgery in another Mexico city and my wife accompanied her and she definitely was more impressed with Dr. A and the hospital in Piedras Negras.

Well, My first impression of Dr. Alvarez was just what everyone said it would be. Immediate comfort and trust. He was very kind and attentive. I enjoyed the process. The first night was a little hard, as expected, and after that, things went very smoothly. Hew as a great surgeon, and I recovered very quickly. He was an overall 10! Both his surgical competence and bedside manner were wonderful. rnrnThe only thing I would have wished for was that the nurses could speak some english. Other than that, the stay was just fine. Very competent and wonderful Dr. and Staff.