Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

My original review below is from April 14, 2008, about a week after having VSG with Dr. Alvarez. It's been almost 4 years and I have to report how happy I am with my amazing results and new life. I am happy, healthy, and living life to the fullest thanks to Dr. Alvarez and my Sleeve. I have no regrets at all and would do it again, only SOONER! I want my mother and my daughter to get sleeved, as well, as soon as we can get it arranged.

=)
Long2BeThin
January 18, 2012

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My whole experience has been wonderful. I found so much information on weight loss surgery on Obesityhelp.com. That's where I found out about VSG. I checked out the forums and found the VSG group to be happier with their surgery and results as well as reporting fewer side effects and complaints. I decided on the VSG and started looking all over the Internet for the doctor most experienced. Dr. Alvarez was by far the most experienced and the best price I found anywhere. rnrnSusan made the planning go so smoothly and had answers to all of my questions. She did the initial evaluation and sent the information to the doctor. She kept me informed of everything through phone calls and email and provided a ton of emotional support. I feel like I know her although I haven’t met her. rnrnRosie picked me up in San Antonio along with Leigh Ann, another lady going for the surgery. Susan had put is in touch by email and it was great having someone there I felt like I knew. The ride there was actually fun. We laughed and talked silliness, mostly out of nervousness, all the way there.rnrnLeigh Ann and I went out to have a late lunch in Piedras Negras the afternoon before surgery and had a wonderful meal. Just forget the margaritas! They were delicious but caused us both to be dehydrated and made the blood work harder than it needed to be. Of course, we told the doctor. rnrnMeeting Dr Alvarez was almost anticlimactic because I felt like I already knew him. He was exactly like everyone said, polite, calm and professional. He paid 100% personal attention to each of us. Although he must have had a ton to do he never appeared rushed or that he was trying to move us along a conveyor belt. He was also as charming and good-looking as everyone said he was. We each had a weigh in along with our personal interview with the doctor and met his gorgeous assistant Dr. Gabriel Rosales. We got to see the outgoing patients who were headed back to San Antonio. It was reassuring to see them looking well, although walking a bit gingerly.rnrnWe got our room assignments and as we walked toward our rooms we got to see the hospital. It was very old fashioned with nurses in white uniforms and paper caps. I noticed then and every other time I was out of my room that there was ALWAYS someone mopping and cleaning. rnrnThe rooms were really nice and had computers with Internet access. We had blood drawn (remember not to have the alcohol!) and then off to surgery. I was already passed out so didn't get to experience the famous passing through the window from one gurney onto another gurney into the clean surgery room. I'm pretty sure that's a rarity if not unknown in the United States!rnrnSaturday afternoon after surgery wasn't great. The main thing was getting the anesthesia out of our systems. I had some dry heaving which was horrible. I only had them two or three times and they were gone by Saturday night, for sure within 12 hours after surgery. I also had several rounds of nausea but didn’t throw up at all; it just felt like I was going to. I’d just go to the bathroom and spit until the sensation passed. I got nauseous maybe a half dozen times but not past Monday, two days after the surgery and it was mostly after I’d do something slightly more strenuous, like taking a shower. On Sunday, Dr. Alvarez allowed my IV to be removed. I was so glad because my hand was really swollen and the meds burned like the Dickens going into the IV port! We started on the ice chips and he said that pain meds could be taken orally and nausea meds by injection. I didn’t need either one though. rnrnPriscilla, the English speaking nurse, kept getting me up to walk but by Sunday I felt 100% better and was off the meds and walking and resting all on my own. Priscilla was wonderful and sweet. If only she could be cloned and be a night nurse also! The Spanish-speaking night nurses were sweet but the language barrier was apparent. They did, however, understand our grunts and gestures. Good caveman communication crosses every language barrier! rnrnI never had real pain from the surgery. I had stiffness, swelling and discomfort, but not pain. Within three days I could sleep on my left side and within a week I could lay comfortably on my stomach. The internal stitches itched but are healing up wonderfully! rnrnAt the end of our 48-hour hospital stay Dr. Alvarez and Dr. Rosales checked us for leaks and gave us our little boxes of medications and our detailed instructions. He made sure we understood both our meds and our diets. Again, he was relaxed and spent all the time we needed and never once checked his watch. That was pretty amazing. rn rnWe got to see the incoming patient as we were leaving and then Rosie took us back to San Antonio. Since I wasn’t staying in San Antonio they didn’t reserve a room for me but Leigh Ann let me take a nap in her room before I drove home to Houston. The hour nap helped quite a bit but I could really have slept another five. rnrnI had to leave to be at work Tuesday morning. I only took two days off work but one was to get there and the other was to get home. I only really missed one day of work because of the surgery. I have a desk job so could actually have worked that Monday as well, although not comfortably. rnrnThe three-hour drive was fine. I stopped once to stretch and use the restroom. I was really glad to be home and get into my very own bed! I did get nauseous once just as I was leaving San Antonio but I think that trying to read directions and drive added to the stress I’d already gone through. That was about the last time I had any nausea.rnrnI can't say that I did it by myself because I had Leigh Ann, Rosie, Dr. Alvarez, Dr. Rosales, Priscilla and the night nurses all looking after me at various times. I hope I gave some of the comfort back by looking in on Leigh Ann and encouraging her as much as she did me. We are truly sleeve sisters and have a bond for life!rnrnI am hoping to afford to take my daughter and my mother for the surgery. My dream is for us all to be healthy and slim for life. I would recommend Dr. Alvarez and his team to anyone. Don't be deterred by the fact that it's in Mexico. The United States isn't the only place with good health care. I don't think I could have found better anywhere else.rnrn

Deciding on a VSG after 2 years of research was the hard part - deciding on Dr. Alvarez was the easy part! For me, any prospective surgeon's experience with the VSG procedure was critical and Dr. A was one of the most experienced available.rnrnSusan, his patient coordinator was helpful, efficient and a joy to work with. Arrangements were handled flawlessly and made the trip as worry-free as possible. Rosy, responsible for transport to and from San Antonio, Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, was delightful and made the time pass quickly.rnrnDr. Alvarez himself was everything I had been led to believe and more. His kind, considerate and reassuring manner quickly put any concerns I had at ease. I appreciated the time he took to answer my questions and his frequent visits post-surgery. It is now three months since my surgery and I have had an easy recovery and no complications whatsoever.rnrnWhile the hospital facility itself may be a bit dated, I was fortunate to be one of the first patients to stay in one of the new bariatric suites which was spacious, modern and well-equipped. The nursing care was attentive(Priscilla was especially great) and, even though I don't speak Spanish, any request for assistance was handled promptly.rnrnI think it speaks to the regard Dr A's patients have for him and his team that a \"patient reunion\" was recently held (a reunion for surgery patients??). And next year I'm planning to be there!rnrnMy husband, who accompanied me to Piedras Negras, is considering WLS himself. If he does decide to proceed, Dr Alvarez will be his surgeon of choice.

~How do I even begin? From that first day when sweet Susan called me and talked to me about the sleeve I have loved this group of people. Susan right away put me at ease about choosing the sleeve and has been there for me promptly each and every time I have needed a question answered. She made me feel like the most important person in the world--she is amazing! rnrnWhen we arrived in San Antonio and were met by Rosey I felt like I had known her for years. She is a beautiful girl and put my husband and I at ease quickly. The ride to Eagle Pass was filled with laughter and conversation--no akward moments. I felt like I was with family! I was so lucky that my sleeve sister and her family are amazing people. My sleeve twins daughter had been sleeved by Dr A in Janurary and put me at ease so quickly just by telling me how amazing Dr A is.rnrnThe next day when we went over the border into Mexico I couldnt believe how NOT nervous I was. These people have such a gift at putting you at ease. When we pulled into the parking lot Dr A and Priscilla personally came out to greet us with warm hello's and hugs. I really felt like a long lost family member coming home for the holidays! We felt so welcome. We then met with the Doctor who took his time and answered all of our questions and then we went upstairs to our room. It was nice and so clean! The first thing that I noticed when I walked into the hospital was that I smelled clean--if clean has a smell! Our room was BIG! We had a computer to use with internet access and a phone with free long distance. What hospital in the states provide that kind of communication for you? rnrnWhen it was my turn to be sleeved, Priscilla came in and gave me what I call HAPPY MEDS. Whoo! Whatever that was relaxed me and made me a bit loopy! I loved it! We then moved into the OR and I swore that I would stay awake and tell Dr A that he wasnt allowed to play any April Fools Jokes on me! I had that thought and the next thing I remember is waking up in my room. My surgery was textbook! 46min long and it went perfectly. Thank God!rnrn I woke up in some pain from the gas, no pain from the insicions, and I was VERY nauseous. I reacted badly to anesthesia. I was pretty sick for about 12 hours and during that time Dr Alvarez and Dr Gabriel came and checked on me several times. Dr Gabriel even gave me an anti-nausea med that is used for chemo patients. Around 2am I turned a corner...I SUDDENLY just felt normal. It happened just the way Dr A said it would. He told me that I would feel better each hour. The night nurses were on top of the pain meds and took amazing care of me. The care I recieved from them was better than any care that I have ever recieved in the states. It was an old hospital and they had some old fashioned ways of care, but it was EXCELLENT! rnrnThe next day I had some soreness, but no pain. I saw Dr A on a local talk show that morning and couldnt believe that I was in his hospital, flipping through channels and there he was on TV! It was a live feed and he looked great! I didnt understand anything he said though! Haha! I passed my leak test with flying colors and Dr A gave me a medical ID bracelet and permission to have ice. He told me that Susan had been asking how I was doing--to me thats exceptional personal care. These people become your FRIENDS. I walked all day and even skipped the hospital to go to the resturaunt across the street with my husband, sleeve sisters daughter and sister. I sipped my ice while they ate and didnt wish that I had food. Im not hungry! Its a strange thing for me! HA! When we came back to the hospital Dr A busted me with a smile on his face! He said, \"I came to check on my patients and one was missing!\" He was great about it and was there at all hours--this was after 8pm when he caught up with me. :0) There are some moments in your life where you have a mental picture taken of that moment, I will never forget that smile on Dr Alvarez's face when he \"busted\" me. I will take that with me forever. :0)rnrnThe next morning Dr A was there bright and early, dressed to the nines as usual and giving us discharge goodies and instructions. He took his time, didnt rush us at all and answered all of our questions. He even took the time to help a possible pre-op with her making her decision about weather or not she will be sleeved. Dr Alvarez gave us each a lunchbox of treats. It was full of painmeds, acid blockers, antibiotics--even a keychain. We took a hundred pictures, gave a million hugs and off we went with Rosey again. rnrnIm now 4 days post-op and except for a small bit of discomfort in my main incision areas, I dont feel like I have even had surgery! My liquids are going down with no problems and I am down 12lbs! WOW! I give this whole experience an A+! If I had to say anything negative it would only be that I had trouble communicating with the night nurses. It was difficult with the launguage barrier. But Susan gave me a translation sheet that helped SO much! rnrnIf you are considering going to Dr Alvarez, but are afraid of the whole \"Going to Mexico\" thing, DO NOT WORRY! You are just about 1 mile into Mexico--so close to the states--and Dr A is the very VERY best. He has only had 2 leaks out of 450 sleeves and zero deaths. This man has saved me from a life of obesity--I owe him my very life. rnrnThank you Susan, Dr Alvarez, Dr Gabriel, Priscilla and Rosey. rnrn~Janelle~~

I was impressed with Dr. Alvarez the moment I met him. He is very personable and friendly. He explained all I needed to know. After the surgery he came in to see me several times a day, and helped me with all of my concerns. His staff is very nice and speak English as does Dr. A.rnrnI would rate Dr. A a 10 out of 10.rnrnI felt great within a week of surgery and have had no difficulties at all.rnrnI have not read anything negative about him and it seems from the posts that people who use him have very few problems.rnrnI would highly recommend him.rnrn

I was very impressed with Dr. Alvarez and his staff. Dr. Alvarez is very professional, but is also very personable. His office is very modern and as nice as or nicer than any doctor’s office in the United States. The hospital is older but all areas of the hospital that I saw were clean. The suites provided to Dr. Alvarez’s patients are very nice. I would have no problem recommending Dr. Alvarez to friends and family. He and his staff are very competent and have all arrangements and details perfected to make the whole experience a very positive one.

My first impression of Dr. A, I was very good. He took all of the second thoughts that I was having out of my mind while I was talking to him. Dr. A's office is very nice and his staff is very helpful and wonderful. The aftercare was great, Priscella your nurse is very attentive and willing to help you do anything that you need. Dr. A, the staff, and my surgery was very successful and I would recommend others taking the trip to see Dr. A.

Dr. Alvarez is exactly as everyone else has portrayed him, he is very gentle, understanding and caring. He gives everyone patient personal attention which is valuable to calm a persons nerves before major surgery. He an his staff and the hospital staff were great and give the best medical attention that I have ever received.rnrnI would recommend Dr. A. to anyone considering self pay for VSG or surgery outside the USA...it was worth every cent.

Dr. A was wonferful to work with and I'm glad I chose him.He checked on me two/three times a day while i was in the hospital and found the time to answer all questions that I had.He spoke very good english.

Dr. A preformed my surgery on March 15th 08. I feel he is THE MOST QUALIFIED surgeon doing the sleeve today. He has an amazing bedside manner, personality and is always happy. I was comforted by his confidence and impressed by his knowledge. I have had consultations with 3 of the surgeons currently doing the sleeve here in AZ, and I know I made the right choice with Dr. A. He knows his sleeves! I would highly recommend this surgeon to anyone considering the sleeve.

My first impression of Dr. A was very impressed with how he made me feel at ease and very comfortable about my decision. Dr. A and his staff are wonderful and take very good care of you. I am so happy with my sleeve and extremely happen I went to Dr. A. I wish he was closer so I could just stop by once in awhile to say \"Thank you\". I would never choose to go to anyone else. I wish more doctors were as personable as Dr. A. You can't go wrong by choosing Dr. A for your surgeon. rnrnWatch Dr. A perform VSG surgery. rnrnhttp://youtube.com/watch?v=04wTeAzRq60 rn