Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

I had been thin for most of my life, but after I turned 40 I started gaining weight up to a point I was 168 lbs, with a 5' 3" frame. I was not morbidly obese, and my BMI was 29, so I was not really really fat, but I felt very bad with myself. It goes without saying that I tried every diet, every magic product, every device to lose weight and nothing worked. I was really frustrated and I felt very bad with myself. For years I avoided pictures taken of me.
I had heard about the vertical sleeve gastrectomy performed in Mexico through a friend and I looked it up. It was in Tijuana but they only allowed people with a BMI of 30 or more.
I tried it again and Dr. Alvarez website came up. There I had to fill out and application but also explain why I wanted the surgery. Even though my BMI was 29, Doctor Alvarez took his time to read through my application and consider it. When I got the approval for the surgery from him, I was beyond myself happy. It took me sometime to convince my husband that I was going to go to Piedras Negras, Mexico to have this surgery, but he finally was OK with it. I live in Arizona, I flew into San Antonio where I was picked up by Rosy, along other people, she drove us, we crossed the border uneventfully and we finally arrived to Dr. Alvarez's clinic, which was very impressive. The first night, that was a Sunday, we stayed at the hotel floor that is located at the clinic. I went by myself but all the other people went with someone. The hotel has accommodations for a companion and so do the hospital rooms. Next day, Monday, first thing in the morning we went down to have the pre-ops and then off to surgery. Everyone was super professional and kind. A young male nurse came and told me he was going to put something in my IV to relax me and I don't remember anything until I woke up in the post-surgery area. I felt perfectly fine. Dr. Alvarez called my husband to tell him everything went fine. All that day, Tuesday, I spent in the hospital room with an excellent 24 hours medical care. Dr. Alvarez and his medical staff came to visit and check on me several times. I was released on Wednesday. Rosy drove us back to San Antonio and I flew back to Arizona. I had to follow the post-surgery diet to "the T", and took the medicines Dr. Alvarez gave us for after the surgery, but I felt fine. Best thing is that I immediately started losing weight, which had not happened to me in a long time. The first week I lost 5.5 pounds and the 1st month I lost 15 pounds. 6 months later I lost 48.5 pounds and I could not be happier. I am now 119 pounds. I live in the US but I am from Mexico. My family and friends had not seen me since I had visited Mexico in June. I didn't tell anyone that I had done the surgery. I came to visit Mexico in December and everyone was incredible surprised with the way I looked. Everyone said that I look much younger and beautiful. I am incredibly happy with the results of the surgery and with how incredibly easy it was to lose all that weight that I had accumulated during more than 10 years. I just wish I had done the surgery earlier, but I am glad I did it all.
Dr. Alvarez is one of the best bariatric surgeons in the world. His clinic and his technology are state of the art and the fact that he is located in Piedras Negras, Mexico, a relatively small border town, shouldn't put you off. You would be lucky to be operated by Dr. Alvarez. He is not only the best surgeon you can meet, but he is also compassionate, easy going and down to the earth. His clinic, as I said before, has all the safety, security and advanced technology that any patient can wish for.
I was gladly surprised when I learned that Dr. Alvarez operates on kids 11 years old (I believe) and older. I think this is a great thing to do because many kids suffer a lot when they are overweight. This is another sign of his compassion, since not many surgeons dare to operate kids.
I highly recommend Dr. Alvarez. If you make the decision to have the vertical sleeve surgery, that decision will change your life for the best. Good luck!

Sincerely,

Claudia Salgado McDonald

To give a brief life story: I was lost and scared with my weight issues. My father was just months away from dying of cancer but prior to this had major issues with diabetes and diabetes and cancer both run in my family. So seeing his health issues was a wake up call for me. I was 445 lbs and I had tried "everything" there was to lose weight and get healthy. I had lost a lot of weight in the past but then gained it all back and then some. You name the diet or exercise program and I tried it. But food addiction is real and I am proof. I did not seek out Dr. Alvarez to have sleeve surgery as a cure, but to be a tool in my weight loss journey.

I will not go into tons of details but many have the same issue that money and insurance was a major factor in why I decided to reach out to Endobariatric. It felt like a ton of weight, no pun intended, was lifted off my chest when I was approved for surgery. From the moment I exchanged emails with the office, I knew I was making the right decision.

As far as the trip, visit and surgery: It will all depend on your transportation situation but when I got into San Antonio, they provided us patients for that day, a trip into Mexico so we did not have to take our vehicles. And lets be honest, some reading this may fear going to another country to have surgery but I never once felt unsafe. Endobariatric hospital truly felt like a luxury resort. It is so clean and the staff were so friendly and helpful. Most of the staff spoke English and were always smiling. They explain in detail what they will be doing and give you plenty of time to ask any questions. The surgery was over before I realized it. I had never had surgery in my life at this point and I was a bit nervous but that is human nature. They made me feel safe and comfortable. Dr A. truly is a miracle worker. He and his staff deserve so much praise and credit for what they do. I am 100 lbs lighter at the writing of this review and I highly recommend Dr. Alverez at Endobariatric!

Dr. Alvarez did an Amazing job! I would go back to Endobariatric time and time again. It was like having surgery at a luxury resort. It is clean and the staff were amazing. Most of the staff spoke English and if they didn’t they immediately would get an English speaking staff to assist with communication. I had surgery on a Tuesday and went back to work on the following Monday. The recovery was easy and the pain was not unreasonable. I have lost 110 lbs since June 11th. I cannot say enough that this place was wonderful and I highly recommend Dr. Alvarez and the team at Endo!

I had my surgery with Dr Alvarez and his team 9 months ago. Zero regrets. I feel incredibly fortunate that he chose me as a patient. He only performs 4 or fewer procedures a day and focuses solely on the vertical sleeve. Needless to say, he's a very proficient surgeon who takes great pride in his work and his gorgeous facility. I only wish the medical care I receive in the states were at this 5-star level of professionalism and standard.
I left his care well prepared for what to expect in my healing and to be successful in the weightloss.
It has changed my life.

There is nobody else in the world I would trust more than Dr. A! He did my surgery, my daughter’s and a friend. All of us are doing great! Dr. A’s hospital is super clean and the staff is incredible! He treats everyone individually. You can tell he loves what he does. Best decision I’ve made for myself!

Dr Alvarez is amazing! He completely changed my life! He saved me. I was 354 lbs at my highest. At the time of my surgery I was 287 and currently now 236.4. My jean size was 26w now I’m wearing a 12!!!! I am forever grateful to Dr Alvarez and his amazing team!!! Love Michelle she was my nurse! Just amazing! Forever Grateful!!!

Getting into the talented hands of Dr. Alvarez and the amazing team at Endobariatric was a long journey. I suffered ever worsening obesity since the birth of my children and tried everything, I mean EVERYTHING, to return to a healthy weight.

Then my sister and her whole family found Dr. Alvarez. I watched all of their lives transform and was finally ready to take that step. Everything went superbly. The surgeon and his team were world-class professionally but also compassionate. The facility was immaculate. I’m a Deputy Health Officer and have inspected well-rated facilities that can’t hold a candle to the Endohospital. I am on my journey now with more to come. Placing my care with Dr. Alvarez was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.

Dr. Alvarez has forever changed my life by giving me the chance to be healthy and confident once again. Him and all his staff made my stay very enjoyable, comfortable and safe. There has not been a single question that I have asked Dr. A eve post surgery that he personally does not respond to. The quality of care and top of the line technology they utilize at EndoHospital is unbelievable. I fully recommend Dr. A and his staff for your life changing experience. Thank you Dr. A!

Dr. A and his staff were wonderful. My wife and myself were both sleeved on March 11, 2019 and it has been life changing.

My wife did research for almost a year choosing the right surgeon and everything pointed to Dr. A and his team.

The facilities were superb.

Definitivamente lo mejor que me pudo haber pasado fue encontrar el Dr Alvarez y poder contar con su elegante trabajo, no solo de el también de todo su equipo de trabajo, en especial el de La señorita Lourdes y la señorita Sofía, pero todos todos hacen un excelente trabajo, es un procedimiento que no está exento de ser riesgoso pero creo que el Doctor Alvarez y todo su equipo lo tienen todo muy bien premeditado para que sea un procedimiento sencillo, sin dolor y todo un exito.
Lo recomiendo 100% , creo que si no es el mejor esta dentro de ellos sin dejar de evaluar a todo su tin medico, Si estás pensando hacer una Manga gastrica, no lo piense 2 veces para escoger el Doctor Alvarez y las comodidades de su acoger Hospital, te dan la gran posibilidad de transportarte sin tener que manejar, contando con la eficiente chofer Roxi y su hermosa amabilidad y buena conducción, la muchacha de la cocina que lamentablemente no recuerdo su nombre pero es muy buena, eficiente y hace unas sopas de vegetales muy ricas, como olvidarlas si llegue con muchísimo hambre y podía comer toda la que quisiera, no se me puede olvidar el Señor Román, tan atento y servicial, tomamos un licuado de mango sabroso que nos encargó. A parte de ser una cirugía, todo ese equipo te hace sentir como en casa. Dios los bendiga a todos y puedan seguir ayudando como a mi, a muchas personas más. Bendiciones . Felices fiestas. MARIUSKA