Dr. Alvarez

[tammy73]

Hi All.....I just confirmed my surgery date of November 8/10 with Dr. Alvarez. I would like to talk to anyone who has had surgery with Dr. Alvarez and to also find out what I should bring with me to Mexico. Would love any feedback.
Thanks
Tammy

[Scotty]

If you have been asking around and get no answers, I would ask these questions, to your Dr.
How many sleeve operations has he done or assisted in?
Has he had any deaths post operative, directly or indirectly.
Who was his trainer (everyone has to be trained) Then investigate the trainer as well.
His practice should also give you referees.

I interviewed 8 Doctors here in Australia before I considered my Doctor, THEN I got quotes for the operation. One of my considerations was to make sure that the Doctor I choose had completed / assisted in no less than 20 sleeve operations.

Most, if not all Doctors will not give out names and numbers, thats fair enough, I would not want my Doctor giving my details out to every perspective client, but rather he will get them to contact you, this is how I did my research.


Scotty

[tammy73]

If you have been asking around and get no answers, I would ask these questions, to your Dr.
How many sleeve operations has he done or assisted in?
Has he had any deaths post operative, directly or indirectly.
Who was his trainer (everyone has to be trained) Then investigate the trainer as well.
His practice should also give you referees.

I interviewed 8 Doctors here in Australia before I considered my Doctor, THEN I got quotes for the operation. One of my considerations was to make sure that the Doctor I choose had completed / assisted in no less than 20 sleeve operations.

Most, if not all Doctors will not give out names and numbers, thats fair enough, I would not want my Doctor giving my details out to every perspective client, but rather he will get them to contact you, this is how I did my research.


Scotty

Hey Scotty
I have done months worth of research and I am very happy with chosing Dr. Alvarez. I have read hundreds of reviews on him and all seem very posiitive. I was just hoping to chat with someone that has experienced surgery with him to settle my nerves a little. I had originally chosen another surgeon and after more correspondence with his office it didn't sit so well with me so I have moved on. I am very excited but also very nervous.
Thanks so much for your knowledge and your response. I really appreciate any feedback

[Lorna Doone]

Rest assured most of the Mexican doctor's are very good. And to tell you the truth are very experienced. Due to the fact bariatric surgery is 1/2-75% less in Mexico a lot of folks flock there. In my opinion the Mexican doctor's do and see more surgeries than their American counter parts. Often times many insurance companies view bariatric surgery as an elective cosmetic procedure and won't pick up the tab. I do know many folks in Canada and England go there because their national health system often times will not do the procedure unless the person is severally obese with many co-morbidities.
Even the plastic surgeons in Mexico are a safe bet and the hospitals are up to date and can compare with any American hospital.
If you want to know what to take see my list "what I'm taking to Mexico."
I'm leaving this Monday the 27th of Sept. Ask your doctor to put you into a hotel that is close to everything. For example my hotel is right next to a shopping mall, supermarket, & theater. It is also just 10 minutes away from my doctor's office and the hospital where I will have my surgery.
The hotel often has a shuttle service with driver to take you to your appointments. But you must reserve it beforehand.
My doctor is also paying for my ride to and from the airport. It's included in my fees. After surgery your doctor will give you a package of papers post-op. Ask him to give you a restaurant card which says you have had bariatric surgery and wish to eat off the children's menu. Laminate it and carry it with you in your purse like a credit card.
My doctor has been a surgeon for many, many, years. He has had one death. The risk of death is low in an experienced surgeon but it happens on rare occasions. If it does usually the person has many co-morbidities and is not in good health. I myself have heard of people dying but usually the person is very huge and did the procedure because they had no choice not to but they also had many serious health issues going on. But they were not in good health to begin with.
As for myself my worry is the first 24 hours after surgery as I know it will not be pleasant. My worry is getting through the first week and getting enough liquids down that's what I'm obsessing about.
Good luck with your surgery. I believe you are in good hands.
Lorna

[Scotty]

Sorry I do not know very much about Mexico, I went there about 4 years ago and just assumed it was a 3rd world country.
I had heard of some horror stories coming from there and watched some documentary's on TV it it was absolutely horrible of what some of these "butchers" were doing to people.
However I now understand that because of demand from America and the standards that are being made mandatory, that there is now a community that are "doing the right thing" and quite a few success stories as well, and thats great!
I wish all the best for you, and I look forward to hearing about your success on your return.

Scotty

[Lorna Doone]

For the most part the Mexican doctor's are good. Many times the American Medical Association and "special interest groups" will put a documentary on TV about a death or a horror story from Plastic surgery. This is done to keep folks from leaving the country and taking their business elsewhere.
I can tell you that my daughter had a breast implant with a doctor in WA that did not take. Her husband is in the military so they frequently move around to many States. She had the implant for a few weeks and they fell down to her stomach. She called the doctor to complain and he wanted another fee to reinsert them. She refused. After a few weeks they moved to GA and she had a different surgeon put them back in place. So you see we have so called "lemon surgeon's" in the States as well.
I frequently read the blogs about a surgeon's reputation and I'll read both good and bad about that surgeon. There are also nut jobs that will write a "horror review" about a doctor and they've never even been his patient.
If someone writes something bad I'll usually find several that were happy with their surgery's. If I find happy people as opposed to one dis-satisfaction I am content. They'll always be people you can't please.

[Hollywood_B1983]

Im not sure about Dr. Alvarez, but I am scheduled with Dr. Rodriguez in Juarez,MX. He has an online Profile. You may be able to find Dr. Alvarez through the site.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobe...iguez+jtr.html

[MediaHound]

Dr. Alvarez is a member of the gastric sleeve forums here, this is his link:
http://www.gastricsleeve.com/forum/member.php?u=261
To send him a private message, click here:
http://www.gastricsleeve.com/forum/p...do=newpm&u=261

[mommabear9603]

Tammy, I am so excited for you. I can't wait to read all about your experience. I know it'll be great.