I am interested in hearing from patients of Dr. Alvarez, I'd like to hear about your experiences before, durning and after... Also anything else you might think would be helpful.. I am scheduled for 7/13 and also wonder if the other patient scheduled for the same day as me happens to be on here from my understanding he only does two sleeves per day.. TIA

Dr. Alvarez and his staff are amazing. I was sleeved on 5/31 and was overwhelmed by the support and care I received (and am still receiving post-op). I had absolutely no pain or sickness - they were always on top on meds to make sure I was comfy. No issues with traveling to/from Mexico, it was a breeze. Hospital room was recently updated and was a good size for me and hubby. The hospital is being renovated on some floors, but wasn't an issue noise-wise or otherwise.

Wouldnt trade my experience, even if money was no object,

I am hopefully going to type up my story this weekend. Feel free to msg me with questions.

March .14 no major issues happy with experience there were three on my day. It was fast!

That y'all for the replies! I was beginning to think I was the only one on here that is using Dr. Alvarez and to be honest I couldn't figure out why! I haven't even been there yet but they already keep in touch and Susan seems to be very kind and helpful!! In my paperwork I read he only does 2 surgeries a day but mine is on a Saturday so maybe he only does 2 on the weekends. I'm very excited and oddly enough I'm not a bit nervous about going to Mexico at all! The only thing I'm nervous about it the long trip home and of course I'm worried about the outcome! I have a lot to loose and I'm noticing a lot of slower weight loss on here than what I've seen with the patients I've been in contact with by phone/email.. I hope it's just the fact they don't have as much to loose. I'm 5 ft 8 in tall and 340 lbs (plan to drop a few lbs before surgery) I would like to loose a total of 180-200lbs. But I hope to drop over 100 lbs within the first 5-6 months!!

I'm scheduled with Dr. Alvarez on 8/6. I wish you the very best and can't wait to hear how it goes for you. My friend had surgery by Dr. A last fall, is doing great, and had only positive things to say about the experience. That really helped me to make my decision.

Sleeved July 7th, 2012 and it has been the most amazing and best thing that I've ever done! 81 pounds down and 19 from goal....

I am still in the pre-op phase but so far have nothing but great things to say. Susan has been amazing at answering all of my questions (and there have been many) and they have been so accommodating with my scheduling as due to unforeseen circumstances I have had to re-schedule. Dr Alvarez also has a great website and so many informative You Tube videos and is very active on social networks.

My only thing if I HAD to nit pick would be I would have like to see more dietary support - there is a huge list of items and websites they give you but they don't address getting in your protein needs if you are lactose or whey intolerant. This for me is a bit of a concern in being able to get in enough protein but I have just done my own research and am trying different options before my surgery to see what works best for me.

We are planning to stay in the area (within a days drive) for a few weeks and make a vacation out of it - I did not want to imagine flying home so soon post op.

In speaking with Susan, Dr Alvarez prefers to only do 2 surgeries per day but at times they will add in a third - But never more then 3 per day.

I'm also lactose intolerant. I ordered Bariatrics advantage protein shakes which doesn't have any lactose in it. Will be delivered this Tuesday. I'm currently trying the Costco Performance Whey Isolate, but my stomach is beginning to gurgle. Had a shake for a late breakfast this morning.

I'm also lactose intolerant. I ordered Bariatrics advantage Protein shakes which doesn't have any lactose in it. Will be delivered this Tuesday. I'm currently trying the costco Performance Whey Isolate, but my stomach is beginning to gurgle. Had a shake for a late breakfast this morning.

I think a lot of people mistake lactose for an actual intolerance to whey. - I can not drink the Costco product as it has me running to the bathroom.

I am still in the pre-op phase but so far have nothing but great things to say. Susan has been amazing at answering all of my questions (and there have been many) and they have been so accommodating with my scheduling as due to unforeseen circumstances I have had to re-schedule. Dr Alvarez also has a great website and so many informative You Tube videos and is very active on social networks.

My only thing if I HAD to nit pick would be I would have like to see more dietary support - there is a huge list of items and websites they give you but they don't address getting in your Protein needs if you are lactose or whey intolerant. This for me is a bit of a concern in being able to get in enough protein but I have just done my own research and am trying different options before my surgery to see what works best for me.

We are planning to stay in the area (within a days drive) for a few weeks and make a vacation out of it - I did not want to imagine flying home so soon post op.

In speaking with Susan' date=' Dr Alvarez prefers to only do 2 surgeries per day but at times they will add in a third - But never more then 3 per day.[/quote']

Hi! I'm scheduled with Dr Alvarez on July 1st. When is your surgery?

My surgery was 6/8 with Dr. Alvarez. Absolutely wonderful experience! I lost 20 lbs in the first week and 1 pound the second (most likely because 20 pounds was way to much for the first week). I'm 5'7 and 224 the day of surgery. There is nothing to worry about if you handle any surgery ok. They literally guide you through the whole process and stay with you the whole time to make you feel like everything is under control. I followed the post surgery meal plan the first week to a tea and followed it fairly well the second week. The changes I made in the second week weren't bad one's, like I diluted mash potatoes from the box and made potatoe soup one day but I felt watered down mash potatoes were about the same consistency as yogurt so I went for it. I don't want to do anything to mess this up because my doctor isn't in the U.S. so I don't feel like I can just run to someone. Since everything has been going so well I haven't worried about following up with a doctor here but feel I should before to long just for my own piece of mind.

Like KSREDHEAD's comment, I was not in pain at all the day of surgery. I've really had no "pain" at all. It feels like you have sore stomach muscles from doing too many sit ups. Dr. Alvarez sent me an email this past week to find out how things were going and I told him I have to really be careful because I feel so good that I have to keep reminding myself that I am just two weeks out from surgery. Lovin life right now and can't wait till some more time passes so that I can get some more of this weight off of me!

I was thinking about going to Tijuana because when I googled Piedro Nagras the results were scary. Also, how long did you have to stain the hospital and in the hotel and what were the facilities like? Thank you for any advice!

The U.S. alert cited violence associated with drug trafficking in Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Durango, Monterrey, San Luis Potosí, Mazatlán, Nogales, Puerto Peñasco, Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa, Tampico, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Manzanillo, Acapulco, Morelia and Nayarit, among others.

This was apart of a long article but just wanted to point out Piedras Negras is not listed. I realize it says among others so Piedras Negras could be one of the others but Tijuana is listed at the top. It's not going to really matter, it's basically all the same, I decided on Dr. Alvarez because of all the research I've done on the different doctors, I've researched for over a year before deciding, and I've spoke with past patients of Dr. Alvarez and I feel he is extremely qualified. I've heard noting but great things from each one of the 6 patients of his that I contacted. He has a fb page where you can go and everyone I contacted was willing to talk to me, I even talked to two people that live less than 20 miles from me that went to him. I think your best bet is to research the Doctor first, then if you want you can research the area but you will find its all Mexico so it's not really going to be any different.

Hi there, I just scheduled with Dr. Alvarez for July 19th. I started his pre-op diet a couple of days ago, figuring more is better? Is anyone concerned about not doing all the pre-op things people in the states do? I mean all those nutritional meetings and counseling etc.? I jus wonder if it's harder for people like us who don't go through all those steps first. I mean all I did was fill out a tiny questionnaire and - boom - approved the next day! Also I think I may be going by myself. I haven't heard back from my flacky sisiter who said she'd go with. I'm not afraid to go by myself, but is it ok to not have help?

I went to my dr here in town and had blood work done to check everything possible, it all came back good. He also done a lung test but it was just me breathing into this tube and that was good as well. I haven't done EKG because I had one a few years ago plus he listened to me really good. I suggest going to your dr and just having a few tests run. My dr here in town is completely happy and onboard with my surgery I'm having in Mexico with Dr Alvarez!! I'm scheduled for July 13th! I'm not going by myself and personally I wouldn't but I've read where others went alone and all was fine. As far as a nutritionist goes I have a friend that just finished school so I'm going to have her help me out and I'm going to be getting a personal trainer (friend of mine) to come to my house and help me when I am able. Good luck with everything!!!!

I had my surgery with Dr. A on May 9th. I went with someone, but would have been perfectly fine by myself. They take really good care of you there. I've had no issues and am super happy with my choice. I'm getting some follow up blood work done on Monday, but already my blood pressure is within normal range. I would highly recommend Dr. A; he is a very skilled surgeon.