Hey guys! I'm scheduled to have a gastric sleeve done by Dr Alvarez in Piedras Negras on July 29th. I had everything all set up, but my husband just found out he's not allowed to go with me because of his job. The State Department says it's not safe to travel to that area, which has changed from when I scheduled my surgery.

Has anybody been there recently? I'm curious about what other people's experiences have been like.

I was there June 21st-23rd. The hospital is a mile over the border. Rosy pulls you straight up to the hospital and walks you inside to meet Dr. Alvarez. Jessica will take your family to dinner or to the market during your hospital stay. My mom went to a store down the block by herself with no problem, but she speaks perfect Spanish. She didn't find it any more dangerous than where we live in the states. You will love Dr. Alvarez. I was up walking the halls the day of surgery and walked the Riverwalk and Alamo area as a tourist the day I was released from the hospital.

Tamlyn - I use to work in San Diego and my former bosses wife works for the federal government - they told her that she should not enter Mexico because state/federal employes are targets for kidnappings. I'm not sure how strict they would have been had she decided to go into Mexico though.

Good luck, I know this is tough because I want my fiancé by my side the entire time.

Thanks for the information, that makes me feel tons better. I'm honestly pretty comfortable with it, but my husband is nervous about not being able to go with me. He was talking about hiring some burly bodyguards to escort me, and I really don't want burly bodyguards.

Well, unless Liam Neeson and Jason Statham are available. Then I might be convince-able.

The ride to the hospital takes 5 minutes. You stay safely inside until you take your 5 minute trip back across the border. They didn't even stamp my passport at the border. It doesn't look like I even left the country. Rosy does the run 7 days a week. You are in good hands. I've got a bunch of pics of my experience that I would be happy to share with you. They make you feel comfortable as soon as you walk in the door. It doesn't hurt that Dr. A and Dr. Rosales are both good looking guys. :-)

Edited July 3, 201412 yr by BamaGirl08

Just out of curiosity - did they say he CAN'T go or should not? Is he legally required to get their permission? What kind of job does he do?

Tamlyn - I use to work in San Diego and my former bosses wife works for the federal government - they told her that she should not enter Mexico because state/federal employes are targets for kidnappings. I'm not sure how strict they would have been had she decided to go into Mexico though. Good luck, I know this is tough because I want my fiancé by my side the entire time.

I'm curious...if one is a civilian federal employee, how will anyone know?

I am in her process of picking a doctor in Mexico to do my gastric sleeve. I had then band done in 2008 and had problems on a regular bases with in march 2013 I had it removed. I have now decided to do the sleeve. My insurance won't cover it so I am looking for the perfect surgeon for me. I am leaning toward having Dr.Guillermo Alvarez. What information can you share with me to help comfort my nerves. I am not to concerned about the surgery. I am more concerned about going to Mexico to have it done