Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

Reading another positive review for Dr. Alvarez may seem redundant, but my was outstanding. Having found Dr. Alvarez online I was a little nervous, full of many \"what if?\" questions which were promptly answered by Susan and former patients. I was on a 2 week clear fluids diet, which helped me lose quite a bit of weight before surgery and I believe that prepared me mentally for the weeks following surgery. Honestly the worst part of my experience was the 7 hour drive from the Dallas area to Eagle Pass, but hey, anything to save money. When my husband and I arrived in Eagle Pass, we checked into the Holiday Inn Express, which was MUCH nicer than I'd expected. It was very clean and comfortable. I called the front office and was told that Rosie would pick me up at 8:15 the following morning. Of course I woke up hours earlier, like a kid excited about the first day of school. There was no line at the bridge and the drive to the clinic was very short. In the reception area, I sat with my husband, Rosie and Terry, another patient. Dr. Alvarez and Dr. Rosales came in and shook our hands, and my husband and I went in to Dr. Alvarez's office. There I was weighed and given the opportunity to clear up questions (I actually didn't have many). I was shown the Inamed and J&J band and went with J&J. It was cool to touch something that I will hopefully have inside me the rest of my life. After Terry's consultation, we were taken into the hospital and shown to our rooms. My surgery was to be 2nd. The hotel was what I expected and despite what I've read in other reviews, I didn't smell anything strange for a hospital. My room had two beds, a couch, TV, a computer with internet and access to a free phone to call the states. The bathroom was great, all ceramic tiles, a raised toilet and a shower. I was taken by a friendly nurse, can't remember her name since I waited 2 weeks to review, to get my blood drawn and to have chest x-rays. After returning to the room three nurses came in to help me change to my sexy hospital gown which was too small to cover my butt and to put an IV in my hand. They first tried to poke near my wrist near the thumb, but my vein was rolling. I got poked about 6 times on the wrist, then a different nurse poked me on the top of my hand and the needle went in fine. That was honestly the only pain I've felt before or since surgery. It wasn't excrutiating, but felt like being stung by bees over and over until it was in. I was connected to an IV drip and the nurses left. The reality of what was about to happen hit and I felt a little scared and emotional, my husband came over and I squeaked out about 10 tears, then with that out of my system, I started laughing and felt excited again. Several minutes later the nurses returned with a doctor in blue scrubs.. the anesthesiologist? I can't remember. I remember rambling nonsense in Spanish, anesthesia being put into my IV, struggling to heave myself onto another gurney in a drugged up state, then waking up post-op with 2 friends looking at me. They had driven 6 hours to come see how I was. I asked my husband when I had been put under because I really didn't remember anything. He said that he thought I was nervous and passed out because I was talking, then my eyes rolled back in my head :)). I don't know what that drug was, but it was goooooooood. So back to post op because I have no clue what happened during surgery. I woke up about an hour after surgery, took off my oxygen mask, stayed awake for 5 minutes talking to hubby and friends, got up to pee, laid down and went to sleep for an hour.... that was my pattern for about 10 hours. I slept for several hours during the night and couldn't believe that I was sleeping on my back. I know nurses came in every so often to inject me in the IV.... blood thinners, antibiotics, pain meds? Whatever it was, I NEVER felt any pain. I took several walks in the hall, stopped to talk to Terry and met another lady who had had the Sleeve operation. She was frustrated because she was unable to communicate with the night nurses who speak Spanish. I told then what she wanted and went back to sleep. I felt pressure, like something was different inside and it felt weird cough but I honestly never had pain. My throat felt like I had swallowed a piece of sand paper, I think that was from the breathing tubes during surgery. The next morning I had ice chips, then later an apple flavored Jumex and grape Jello. Dr. Alvarez came in to check on me and Dr. Rosales stayed to explain post-op instructions. I was given the box that my band came in which had my pain meds and antibiotic inside. The antibiotic tasted like @$$. But I never gagged, so I guess it was palatable and most importantly I didn't get an infection, so kudos. The pain meds made me a little sleepy and I actually took naps in the afternoon while I was on it. So after the explanations, we hugged the doctors, and were asked to stay in touch. We got back in the big white minivan (with a picture of a woman pinching her rolls) and headed back across the border. The line at the bridge wasn't bad, but because my husband is a citizen of a blacklisted country, we were detained until the migra could run his passport. After that we were returned to the hotel, where we chose to stay an extra day, not thinking I would feel up to riding in the car for 7+ hours. I rested for a while, and my friends came over to say hi. We decided to go shopping, and I actually felt great to walk around. I still felt no pain. The next morning my husband and I drove home to Dallas, and stopped to shop in San Marcos for 3 hours. Because of the pain meds I felt no pain in my back as I had on the way down and decided to drive the final 2 hours on the way home. I turned the air vents away from my face to avoid the weird-feeling coughs, but again felt great. During the night I ended up sleeping on my stomach, but I didn't feel uncomfortable. The steristrips fell off within 4-5 days and my scars are very small and cute. I am now 2 weeks out. The week I couldn't eat much jello or drink much before I felt full but the swelling has gone down and I can't wait for an adjustment. This was supposed to be a review of the surgeon, but I wrote my entire experience. If you've read this far, I highly recommend that you talk with other patients of Dr. A and give Susan, the patient coordinator a call. I love my band!

Considering I have never been out of the country before much less ever had surgery before, this was such a great experience for me. Dr. Alvarez and Dr. Gabriel, two of the nicest people not to mention surgeons you will ever meet. Down to earth and I can see why they have such a following. Nothing came as a surprise to me, everything was as expected....sure there is a slight language barrier but afterall you are in Mexico. Some of the small things others have complained about are so insignificant in the grand scheme of things. You are coming for surgery and I wanted a 5 star surgeon, not a 5 star hospital. It was clean and that is what mattered to me the most. I am happy with my results thus far and I know this will kick my high cholesterol out the door and I have already stopped with the terrible snoring. This surgery is a life saver. So, if you have any qualms about coming to Mexico for surgery & a VSG, know you are in the best of hands and let Dr. A do his magic. It is so worth it! The whole team and his staff are wonderful.

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.