Dr. Alvarez

[Silly Phylly 20]

Just starting my journey! Unsure about insurance coverage yet. In the scheme of things I guess I am considered low BMI, but I have plenty of things going on weight related. I really think I will be covered for surgery with my local Dr. However, I have already decided that If I do have to self pay, Dr. Alvarez will be the man of choice! Matter of fact I saw where he conducts training seminars at one of the Institutions in Texas where one of our local surgeons was trained for the procedure. Who knows he could have trained him! I have not seen a post regarding a bad experience involving him. Let me know if anyone happens to know of any, as I am just curious. I am sure there are some out there. Just would like to know what.

[Mom_24 72]

Phyllis, I, like you, have been unable to find any negative experiences posted anywhere about Dr. A. I have been corresponding and working with Susan from his office and it has been nothing but smooth so far. I'm not saying negative reviews do not exist, but I haven't found one. His whole practice seems to be top-notch and very professional.

Good luck on your journey.

[TheNewSusie 471]

I've been sleeved one week tomorrow by dr. Alvarez, never had a negative experience and he himself always replies to my emails and messages, as well as Susan, his coordinator who is also an LVN. The best experience and I woke up questioning my mom of he did the sleeve yet or not because I was in no pain at all! Great experience and I as well went with my gut not because of price.

[allnewme 262]

I did read one negative post about Dr.Alvarez BUT she said she had nothing to say bad about him or her surgery. It was complaints about his staff at hospital. I took it with a grain of salt. You can't please everybody all of the time. I personally would chose no other surgeon. From my research he is top notch. I have read so many boards and forums that I do not even remember where I read the post at. I have no fear about this DR. He has too many people saying really good things about him and his staff to focus on one negative comment.

[TheNewSusie 471]

I did read one negative post about Dr.Alvarez BUT she said she had nothing to say bad about him or her surgery. It was complaints about his staff at hospital. I took it with a grain of salt. You can't please everybody all of the time. I personally would chose no other surgeon. From my research he is top notch. I have read so many boards and forums that I do not even remember where I read the post at. I have no fear about this DR. He has too many people saying really good things about him and his staff to focus on one negative comment.

Wonderfully said Joyce . Hope ur doing well and getting ready for ur big day!

[Silly Phylly 20]

Wow! Ever since I started the process through my own insurance, I've gotten more and more anxious! My last visit to my current surgeon is June 12 and then they submit the paperwork. I have my heart set on an August date (my birthday month) because I'll be 46 and have just made up my mind that I'm doing it this year! I spoke with Susan and she was already setting August dates. It's good to know that if I am denied, I can still do this without the hassle of an appeal, etc.

Did you have to provide any information prior to the date like medical records, etc.? All of the hoops that you have to jump through for the insurer to pay is mind boggling and downright annoying. The medical tests are cool, but this 3 mo diet is sooo annoying!

We have age and birthday month in common! Hope to continue to follow you. I too am looking to plan B just in case!

[ICandothis 108]

A client of mine is good friends with Head of Bariatric in Alberta and she contacted him as soon as I told her which surg I was going with... Dr A is the only Dr in Mexico that hospitals in Alberta have not heard about....the good thing about this is that the only time a Dr here will here about a Dr somewhere else is if they are fixing their mistakes....

SO I was told he was the perfect Dr. to go with....I can hardly wait to meet him...still scared but good scared...

*Grin*

[IMSKINNY 160]

We have age and birthday month in common! Hope to continue to follow you. I too am looking to plan B just in case!

Hey, Phyllis! I didn't have to go to plan B! I was approved by my ins on July 3. I see my surgeon on July 25 to set a surgery date! I'm excited! I had really given up on the ins because I am such an impatient person. But, out of the blue they called at 4 pm on the day before a holiday! It will happen for you too! What day is your birthday!

[Silly Phylly 20]

Hey, Phyllis! I didn't have to go to plan B! I was approved by my ins on July 3. I see my surgeon on July 25 to set a surgery date! I'm excited! I had really given up on the ins because I am such an impatient person. But, out of the blue they called at 4 pm on the day before a holiday! It will happen for you too! What day is your birthday!

My birthday is August 30th. As you know when you get to this age you know what you want and need. Pity the person that tries to get in our way! Good luck and best wishes to you! Hope you don't mind my saying a prayer for you! Goodnight!

[IMSKINNY 160]

My birthday is August 30th. As you know when you get to this age you know what you want and need. Pity the person that tries to get in our way! Good luck and best wishes to you! Hope you don't mind my saying a prayer for you! Goodnight! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

You are right about that, P! Pity the person or thing that gets in our way when we have made up our mind! Please pray for me and I will do the same for you!

[Mom_24 72]

I did read one negative post about Dr.Alvarez BUT she said she had nothing to say bad about him or her surgery. It was complaints about his staff at hospital. I took it with a grain of salt. You can't please everybody all of the time. I personally would chose no other surgeon. From my research he is top notch. I have read so many boards and forums that I do not even remember where I read the post at. I have no fear about this DR. He has too many people saying really good things about him and his staff to focus on one negative comment.

Now that you mention it, I do remember reading that post, and as you can see it was quite forgettable. I too took it with a grain of salt. Based on the tone, I suspect that the complaints were coming from the poster's own biases, versus any real issue that went on.

[allnewme 262]

Wonderfully said Joyce <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />. Hope ur doing well and getting ready for ur big day!

Oh, Susie, so good to see your face

How are you doing? I hope that you are healing well and feeling great!!

I am doing well. Getting all my things organized and ready for after my surgery. I am trying to do a mini redecorating of my bedroom. I might be spending some more time in here for a few days so I just want to pretty it up some.

Been shopping for my Protein and things I need for after surgery and to take with me. I needed new pajamas, mine are all really bad! Don't want the handsome Dr to see me in those things I bought a little summer dress for the flight back home, thought that might be more comfy than pants for the plane. Trying to stay busy so I don't "think" so much. Next week is vacation bible school at our church, so I signed up to pass out Snacks each night. Crazy when I am on liquids only but I am hoping it will make those last few days fly by!

Let me know how you are feeling and how your weight loss is going!

[TheNewSusie 471]

Oh' date=' Susie, so good to see your face

How are you doing? I hope that you are healing well and feeling great!!

I am doing well. Getting all my things organized and ready for after my surgery. I am trying to do a mini redecorating of my bedroom. I might be spending some more time in here for a few days so I just want to pretty it up some.

Been shopping for my Protein and things I need for after surgery and to take with me. I needed new pajamas, mine are all really bad! Don't want the handsome Dr to see me in those things I bought a little summer dress for the flight back home, thought that might be more comfy than pants for the plane. Trying to stay busy so I don't "think" so much. Next week is vacation bible school at our church, so I signed up to pass out Snacks each night. Crazy when I am on liquids only but I am hoping it will make those last few days fly by!

Let me know how you are feeling and how your weight loss is going![/quote']

Great to hear ur doing well, . Oh and btw he looks more handsome in person, lol. I was going to buy new pajamas but didn't wanna waste money if I was going to lose so quickly, I know I'm cheap, lol. My weight loss is good, I start preop at 249 after liquid diet I got to 241 and now I'm 233. Dr. A said ill lose more while on full liquids, which is true and on clears the first week I didn't lose, I noticed when I hit full liquids I have been averaging 1-1.5 pounds a day. I see the inches falling off and I am feeling great. My face looks thinner and u can actually see the line where my chest and stomach are no longer attached. I go back to work today and I hope I can make it. I've been lacking on energy the past two days and I get so exhausted when I eat very little, I know it's my body adjusting. Good call on the summer dress, I've only been able to wear sweats daily because jeans have been so uncomfortable. Especially when I sit down and it tugging on my stomach ;/. I've been over doing it lately, my sis and nephews came here from Cali and I can never seem to sit still, so I decided to rest this last night before work. I work in a restaurant and am on my feet all the time. I wish u the best, anything U need feel free to contact me ! Btw , while on liquids, just stay focused, it can be hard, but ur recovery and weight loss afterwards will be all worth it, if u pass at this, u will have great results and make it easier on the doc.

[COnative 192]

Thanks to all of you who are sharing your experience with Dr. Alvarez! I meet with him on the 30th and get sleeved on Sept 3rd. I am getting more and more excited and less nervous the more I read here from you guys. I will be able to contribute soon to this topic. All the best to those who have been sleeved and good luck to those whose surgery is coming up!

[allnewme 262]

SweetSusie, went out with hubs tonight to the local pizza shop for my "last meal", they make awesome club sandwiches so that and a salad was my meal of choice. I am going liquids starting tomorrow. I am going to miss salad, I hear it is awhile before we can eat that again.

I do not know how you stand on your feet all day at work so soon after this surgery. Kudos to you! My husband and I own our own internet based business and I plan to take two full weeks off, unless I heal really quickly. I can sit at my desk and print shipping labels but packing the boxes and lifting guitars that are boxed, may not be on my job list for awhile. I plan on being really careful after surgery. We have three young men that can help me out and I am going to use their muscles.

I am glad to hear that you are doing so well with your weight loss. I am really looking forward to that myself.

You be careful at work and don't let yourself get exhausted. Keep up with your hydration and Protein intake.

TTYS