andi5285

I asked for information to provide proof to what you said originally. I did not ask you to do research for me. If you are going to imply that you know things or say negative things about doctors that others are trying to learn about then I think it is responsible and mature to provide information to support your claims. You could have very easily messaged me at seeing my very first post and given me any contact info you had out of true concern of someone using this doctor. I specifically mentioned the law suit and you so kindly provided me a link about hospital beds and sheets. OK. Thanks. What would be more important to you? The fact that you basically told me that I was "giving the benefit of the doubt" (if anything I say innocent until proven guilty) and implied that I did not care as much as you about who cuts into my body while demanding I contact you even though I ASKED YOU TO SEND ME INFO! What does that mean to you exactly? The fact that you are obviously angry that I dare ask you to support your statements so I can verify on my own is apparent by your continued refusal to show genuine concern, send me the message, and be done with it. I shouldn't have to ask twice or beg. That alone shows me you care very little for the well being of others. Either you want people to make informed decisions and are willing to give them information or you don't. I have done web searches and searched the oh forum for information for info about the lawsuit. Can't find it. I asked, you were not very helpful. In fact, you purposely withheld that specific info from your first reply to my post! You didn't even have to post a reply, you could have PMd from the start and you didn't! Great lot you are. I would not expect this behavior from a grown woman. Maybe I will use him, maybe I won't, but I will certainly not make a decsion as if I were buying a dvd or a book. Thanks for being so charming and helpful.

Well, my very first post in this asked you to provide me information. I guess that could have included a private message to me giving me that information right off that bat. But you didn't and I do believe I mentioned your other posts regarding the lawsuit/deaths. If you are soooo concerned about people not choosing this doctor why not be helpful up front. I did ask. I thought it was obvious that I would want that information. If public welfare is you biggest concern by all means send it on over. Does that tell you anything?

I find your reply insulting. First of all I already told you the reasons he remains on my list. ~$1000 (airfare for myself and mother) might not be a lot to you, but it is to my family. Also, he has performed far more VSGs than many of the surgeons in my area charging 3k+ more. I have not book a date nor paid any deposits. I am RESEARCHING. But yes, I do believe there are two sides to every story. If you think I'm trying to explain away everything fine. I like to investigate both sides and keep an open mind until I feel I have adequate information to pass a judgment. You have provided me, so far, the only two negative posts about him that I can find. And really the first one was not a complaint about the doctor himself. The fact that there are 200 or so positive reviews of him does carry weight. I am not writing these incidents off completely, but if I merrily crossed surgeons off a list because I found one negative I may never find one! I think its squirrly to not find ONE negative about any surgeon. More than that, every patient of every one of these doctors does not post. There maybe be all kinds of stuff from every doctor out there. I may never know and I don't really trust the surgeon's office to be completely honest about those types of things when asked. If you think I am somehow incompetent or don't take my health seriously because I will not jump to cross a surgeon off my list over one questionable review and hearsay from you then I guess that's your problem. I asked you to provide me with more solid information not just that you've heard things...plenty of things. That's fine, but I would like more than your word on that. You haven't even used this surgeon. The way you present your information does indeed sound like catty office gossip at best and scare tactics at worst, though I can't see what you would have to gain. Bottom line, if I absolutely felt I needed to, I would find a way to come up with the extra money to get plane tickets to go elsewhere. However I am not at that point yet. I don't understand why it bothers you that I am questioning your posts. I never said you were LYING I asked for more information and verification.

So she said, but I can't find anything about that so I don't know. I was hoping to get more information about it.

Thank you for finding a couple examples. The first one is a comment on the facilities and it was a year ago. I'm sure she's not making it up, but there are 200 other examples that say otherwise. So maybe it was a fluke and also I suppose things could have changed in a year. We wouldn't know unless we saw it ourselves. Though she did say she "LOVED" the doctor. And the second does sound creepy, but there are always two sides to every story. If the nurses weren't wearing gloves when they put the IV in then why didn't she say something? I've been stuck plenty so that seems odd not to notice something like that. Her complication is unfortunate but that could've happened with any surgeon. Some people just have complications. And as to what he said, I don't know. I didn't hear it. Who knows he meant by that. She did say something and I guess I don't know if there were any consequences. Tone is very important and I could hear that meaning there could be consequences to his reputation, or I guess it could mean he'd send the cartel after her. I would really have to speak to her first hand and get more information. I'm not defending the man b/c I've never met him, but even you have to admit he can't possibly be an asshole all the time unless you believe all the people on here that are happy with him are lying. Maybe you do, I dunno. I have been reading all the posts I can find on here and these are the first two negative I have seen. I will keep reading for sure, but even elsewhere on the web I found a site that recommended Alvarez, Aceves, Joya, and Rumbaut for sleeves. I suppose you are trying to be helpful by telling people what you've HEARD. But that's not the same as your experience. If you just say "well I've heard plenty" that doesn't really mean anything to anyone. Its great to have people's best interests at heart, but I think it would be better if you sent them straight to the source. Otherwise it just sounds like office gossip. I know for most people who have to fly either way it probably doesn't matter that much which one they pick, but it is hard to just cross him off the list without talking to more people who've had negative experiences or visiting myself as it will be almost $1000 less than flying and I won't have to be uncomfortable on a plane. If he didn't seem to have the skill or as many people who are very happy then it wouldn't be hard to look elsewhere, but that is what is very conflicting.

LOL. Ah, well I guess my being young is an advantage. Most people are older and more experienced. But hey, having high standards sure never hurt anyone! I was hoping to have the surgery in December between my school semesters, but driving down there one weekend might be a good idea!

Thanks, it really is a tough decision to make. I live in Houston so I am able to drive to San Antonio to go to Dr. Alvarez. I am not sure I am going to want to fly after, plus the cost of tickets adds to the total cost. Dr. Aceves would certainly be on my list, but I figured if I was going to fly I'd rather go to Monterrey than San Diego since the flight is much shorter from Houston. I get claustrophobic and nauseated on planes as it is, I can't imagine if I'm in pain or not feeling well. I'm sure you're more familiar than I am having been a nurse, but my understanding was that the number of surgeries was just as important. As in once they do over a certain number they are over the learning curve. Dr. Alvarez, so it says, has performed hundreds of the sleeves, which is better than a number of the surgeons here in Houston. I agree that I want to be in a hospital not a clinic. The facilities in Monterrey, or even here in Houston, probably are superior, but from the people I've talked to the hospital is older but it is a full hospital. It is clean and the technology is updated. I really wish I could go around and meet them all before hand!

I have in fact been reading many many many boards and posts. I really haven't seen anything negative having to do with Dr. Alvarez himself. As far as someone's pain meds...I saw one that said the nurse administered them too fast and it was painful. But that's the nurse, and I've had less than gentle nurses here in the states. I have also contacted several people that have used Dr. Alvarez and they have all be very positive and highly recommend him. I saw on another post you said he has had many leaks and a death. Would you be so kind as to pm and send me where you found that information b/c I cannot seem to come across it. That being said, even the best of surgeons have complications now and then. The % of complications is probably more important than never having them at all. These men are not gods. If a surgeon has operated on 2000 ppl and lost one patient, obviously that is not awesome, but that is still a low risk. It also matters if the death was due to malpractice or negligence or just an unfortunate complication. I cannot find information regarding a lawsuit against him or anyone who was not very pleased with him. If you know someone personally please ask them to contact me. I take it you do not have first hand knowledge with this doctor, so unfortunately I cannot accept your opinion as a fact. I have been looking for less than positive information, but that seems to be very hard to find. You are really the only person I have seen say anything like this regarding this doctor which is why I am asking you to provide me with more information. I am researching Dr. Rumbaut too as I have heard he is very good. He has also had 1 death and a few leaks over the years of his practice. This is major surgery and it is a risk everyone has to accept going into it. I have a family member that died after an even less complicated procedure as this due to a clot. Its unfortunate but it happens.