Dr.Alvarez and his team are stellar. They are the most compassionate, caring, professional and competent team you could ever choose to do your gastric sleeve surgery. They are highly experienced and make you feel at ease when having a major life changing surgery. My incisions and recovery have been flawless. I'm encouraging family and friends to go see him for surgery. I only wish I had went sooner.
I thought about gastric sleeve surgery for 2 years before taking the leap of faith and making the decision to "trust my gut" and go to Dr. Alvarez in Mexico. I could no longer allow thoughts of trying to lose weight on my own ( ie: trying the newest auto-ship program of supplements, waiting for Weight Watchers to release their new program that might really work, etc.) take up so much head space and control my day to day outlook on life. I was determined to make a change that would actually WORK FOR ME!!! I remember being SO SCARED when I finally picked up the phone after emailing Susan back and forth and choosing an actual surgery date....I cried on the phone with Susan, and she was so sweet to reassure me that everything really would be OK! I am 6 weeks post-op and I couldn't be happier that I chose to make a choice to make a change! FEAR of the unknown almost kept me from experiencing the amazing benefits of this surgery. As of today, I have lost 33 pounds (10 of those during my pre-op phase).
Dr Alvarez and his team are amazing and they educate you on every phase along the way with excellent patient care and follow-up. They made my surgery experience in Mexico seamless, and took away any fear or anxiety. The personal touch still continues, as I have received a post card and numerous follow up emails asking how I am doing and offering to answer any questions that come up. The Endobariatric page has also been a tremendous help! Just knowing that all of the followers are there to support each other and have experienced the same things create a supportive atmosphere where you can find help anytime day or night. I would highly recommed Dr. Alvarez, and if you are struggling with making the decision to do it....just take a leap of faith and know you will be in the best hands and won't regret your decision!
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From first contact with Dr.A, Susan George, and the Endobariatric team, I have been blessed with excellent care, consideration, and service. Questions and concerns were answered with intelligence which made me feel more secure in my decision. Having contact with the multiple satisfied patients solidified my choice to become healthier by gastric sleeve surgery. My anxieties, questions, and concerns were met with open minds and enough verbal and written material to get answers to my satisfaction. Once making the decision to have the procedure, every step was mapped out by Dr. Alvarez and his team. I can honestly back up what every other person has said, I feel the treatment I received with Endobariatric was the best and could not be matched even in the US.
My main health issue was lung issues that were getting increasingly worse. This issue kept me from exercising and trips to the hospital began increasing. Breathing well was becoming a big concern for me and my family. I never felt like getting up and going places with my family and while at work teaching, I found myself becoming more easily upset with my students because I was tired all the time. On top of this, I looked in the mirror and was depressed by what I saw. After trying for over two years to lose weight using different diets and pills, my husband, children, Dr., and I felt this was the next best step for me.
My surgery date was July 8th. Since the pre-op phase, I have not had an asthma attack. Instead, I have increasingly got stronger both with my respiratory system and my physical body. I am much happier and enjoy looking in the mirror. The greatest moments are when my family asks me if I want to do something and I can jump up and go. My students at school are seeing a much happier teacher and we are having fun. Little exciting moments happen all the time. For example, the first time I noticed I could cross my legs comfortably for the first time in over 18 years, realizing the pants and shirts I just bought a month ago don't fit anymore (consignment shops have become my friend????), and when I went from the plus side to the misses side in stores. It's always fun to get compliments on how I look but I've got to say that feeling healthy and having energy is a bigger reward than the way I look.
When this wondrous journey began, I weighed 222 lbs at 4 foot 10 inches tall. I've lost 75 lbs, multiple inches in all areas of my body, and am still going. I have 25 more pounds to lose to reach my ultimate weight goal but have already acheived the goal of better health. I know my health will only increase as I trudge along.
I do have a word of caution for those considering this procedure. Be positive your ready to make a life long eating habit change, be diligent in following all directions given by Dr. A and his team, be prepared to work hard to acheive your goals, and best of all, be ready to have one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. I've always heard that nothing worth having comes easy. This journey is not always easy but it is definitely worth traveling.
I love my sleeve, my new healthy attitude, and the Endobariatric team. Thank you Dr. Alvarez and team for helping to change my quality of life.
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I have never been what the world sees as skinny! I'm tall and I'm HUGE boned! I'm only 8 months into my new weight loss journey. I had a " sleeve" done by Dr. Alveraz April 4, 2016. I'm down 100 lbs since my surgery! But the best part is I feel wonderful! Thank you Dr. A and your entire staff! I was taken care of every step of the way! Mary thanks for being my "mother" and making sure we got across the street safely! You were so funny! Thank you Jessica for taking care of my hubby and going to, 2 different restaurant for him my first night. He LOVED his dinner! Again to Mary and Jessica for the trip to the market. I love my swing that I bought there. Anali you were so kind and reasurring. Rosey you made my first impression of Endobariatric so wonderful. You answered many of questions and made me feel like I had made the right decision. I LOVED my cucumber at the 1/2 way stop! Of course on the way down! ???? But mostly to Dr. Alveraz for putting together an awesome team of thoughtful and caring people! And last but not least Susan, you answered all my question and put my fears to rest! You are all the BOMB!!!! I wish my hubby and I would of known Dr. A loved years before now"- From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU ALL!
Dr. Alvarez has put together a phenomenal team of surgeons, nursing staff, and assistants making Endobariatric the Best of the Best in weight loss surgery.
From the moment I contacted Susan for information about the surgery to Rosy dropping us off back at the hotel every detail was covered and very well organized.
And my care didn't stop the minute I left the hospital. For the first 4 weeks Dr. Alvarez emailed me weekly with detailed steps to follow on each phase of my journey. In addition his assistants messaged me checking on my progress and answering any question I had.
I would recommend Endobariatic to anyone considering weight loss surgery!
Endobariatric was truly a first class and professional run process from start to finish! From my first contact for the initial information I received, all subsequent contact and information, to the visit for the procedure everyone was truly wonderful. The staff was all attentive, and I felt that the treatment I received was far better than I had received in several stateside medical places. Dr. A and his support staff were always available, and he is always available via email or social media. Most questions are answered within moments if he is not in a medical procedure obviously. Try and get that response stateside! I cannot truly express my extreme satisfaction at the care I received before, during and after my procedure! Try Endobariatric, where the quality of your care will never be compromised!
As an RN I did a lot of research of various surgeons and facilities locally in the U.S. and abroad over several years before I made my decision to have Dr. Alvarez and Endobariatric perform my gastric sleeve surgery. I could find nothing negative about him anywhere. I completed a thorough pre-screen questionnaire and had all my questions and concerns answered. I was treated by all staff member better than I have been treated here in the U.S. Medical facilities. I wouldn't change a thing! I feel better than I have in years. I am down 70 pounds with about 60 more to go. The support I received before and after is amazing.
HW 218
SW 214
CW 136
Date of Surgery: 2-5-16
I battled my weight my entire life from early childhood until 36 years old. It was always a struggle and became even worse when I developed Hypothyroidism in my early 30's. I tried every diet plan, exercise plan, medication, and gimmick in the book. Nothing ever worked! Thank goodness all that changed when I found Dr. Alvarez!
I researched gastric surgery for probably 5-7 years before I actually did it. I always became exhausted and gave up when I would research having it in the states. The out of pocket cost was one deterrent, but more so, all of the pre-op requirements like psychiatric evaluation, nutrition counseling, exercise counseling, etc. I knew I wasn't crazy, I already exercised, and I knew the scientific way to lose weight. My body just didn't cooperate with what was supposed to work!
I guess I "googled" weight loss surgery one too many times b/c finally Endobariatric starting popping up as a suggested ad on my Facebook page. Naturally, I clicked on it b/c I was open to anything that would save me from the weight battle. I was shocked and to surprised to learn how many people I knew that Dr. Alvarez had already performed surgery on. I ended reading pages and pages of reviews about him, watching dozens and dozens of his YouTube videos and finally became convinced this was my ticket to success.
I found his website and emailed his patient coordinator late on a Friday night. I was agonizing about having to wait all weekend to receive a response, thinking I would get a normal business hour reply on Monday. I was pleasantly surprised when I got a reply on Saturday morning not even 12 hours later. A few emails back and forth and a few weeks later, I was securing a date and sending in my deposit. I was still thinking this is too good to be true!
They made the whole process easy and coordinated trip seamlessly. My husband and I flew to San Antonio where the Endo van picked us up. We rode south 2 hours to Eagle Pass and stayed the night. Another patient that rode with me brought along her sister in law who had surgery with Dr. Alvarez two years prior. The whole trip down the sister in law was telling us how much our lives were about to change and what a blessing her surgery had been. I am so thankful she was there b/c she validated my decision over and over. She also helped keep my nerves at ease b/c everything she said was super positive.
The Endo van took us to the hospital the next morning for surgery. We met the super personable, caring, professional, and not to mention handsome, Dr. Alvarez. He consulted with each of us individually then we had a few X-rays and some blood work before they started prepping us for surgery. Next thing I know, I'm waking up asking my husband if I'd already had my procedure. He said I asked him that like 20 times. LOL I think it's b/c in the back of my mind I was scared to death something would make the surgery fall through for me. I had very little pain and I was so thankful!
A few days later I was on my way back home and the real journey began. The first few weeks of the liquid diet really got to me. The "mental" hunger was quite a battle at first, but I soon learned to re-direct myself. Once solid food came back into my life, my spirits lifted tremendously. And, getting on the scale wasn't a chore for the first time in my life! I dropped 16 pounds my first month, 8 the second month, 10 the third month, and then it slowed to around 5 pounds per month. Trust me, though, I was thrilled with any number I saw after a lifetime of only seeing increasing numbers!
Dr. Alvarez and his staff emailed to check on me a few times and have always been accessible when I needed them. I have had questions from time to time and they always promptly respond, even the doctor himself. I love how Dr. A interacts with all his patients on social media. You don't see that anywhere else! He genuinely cares and is proud of the progress his sees from his patients. I never felt degraded for being overweight like some other doctors have made me feel before. I got so tired of getting that "put the fork down" look when I tried to discuss my weight with other doctors. I also never felt like just another chart or number with Dr. Alvarez. It was just a very personal experience like no other medical journey I've ever had before.
My overall experience was super positive, my results have been nothing short of amazing and I my only regret is not having surgery 10 years earlier! Hats off to Dr. Alvarez and Endobariatric. They are a first class facility!