Where to find Rafael Alvarez, MD
Accepting new patients Offers telehealth
- Platte City location
2600 Nw Prairie View Rd, Suite A, Platte City, MO 64079 - Platte City location
2600 Nw Prairie View Rd Ste A, Platte City, MO 64079
About Dr. Alvarez
Rafael Alvarez, MD, FACS, FASMBS, is a physician with extensive experience in general and bariatric surgery and a clinical focus on obesity medicine, comprehensive medical weight management, and long-term care following bariatric surgery.
Dr. Alvarez is the owner and medical director of My Weight
Availability & services
- Accepting new patients Rafael Alvarez, MD is accepting new patients. More providers accepting new patients in Missouri
- Telehealth Rafael Alvarez, MD offers telehealth visits for patients in MO (licensed in MO according to the NPI registry). More telehealth providers in Missouri
Stated by the provider on their verified profile.
Education & Training
Areas of Expertise
Areas of expertise
- Obesity Medicine
- Bariatric Surgery
- Endoscopy
- MIS Surgery
- General Surgery
Practices, Clinics & Hospitals
Care Philosophy
I believe that obesity is a complex, chronic medical condition that deserves the same thoughtful, individualized, and evidence-based care as any other chronic disease. Successful weight management goes beyond a number on the scale and requires understanding each patient's unique medical history, health goals, lifestyle, and personal challenges.
My approach emphasizes compassionate, judgment-free care, shared decision-making, and a strong physician-patient partnership. I work with patients to develop realistic, sustainable treatment plans that integrate lifestyle and nutritional strategies, appropriate medical therapies, and ongoing support.
At My Weight 1st Medical, my goal is not simply to help patients lose weight, but to improve their overall health, prevent or manage obesity-related complications, and empower them to maintain meaningful improvements in their quality of life over the long term.
Credentials & Licensing
Medicare information
Exactly as CMS reports it (National Downloadable File, Opt-Out Affidavits, Order & Referring). Not an insurance directory; confirm coverage with the office.
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Insurance Accepted
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Self-pay
Contact Information
Is this your home address or personal number? Hide it
Primary practice hours Published as structured openingHours data, which assistants read directly. Helps you appear for: "is there a doctor open on Saturday?"
Primary practice · 2600 NW PRAIRIE VIEW RD, Platte City, MO 64079
- Mon8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tue8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wed8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thu8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Fri8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- SatClosed
- SunClosed
Practice Locations
2600 NW PRAIRIE VIEW RD SUITE A
Platte City, MO 64079
- Mon8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tue8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wed8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thu8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Fri8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- SatClosed
- SunClosed
Social Media & Links Cross-platform links help AI confirm you are one consistent person, not several similar names.
1 link connected
Photos & Videos
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Research & Publications
Publications are supplied by the provider, not matched automatically from bibliographic databases. Why
Conditions & Services
- Prediabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Fatty liver disease
- Iron-deficiency anemia
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Sleep apnea
View all 14
- Metabolic syndrome
- Obesity
- Weight LossMedical weight loss is a physician-guided approach to achieving and maintaining a healthier weight through personalized, evidence-based treatment. Unlike short-term diets, it focuses on long-term weight management, metabolic health, and addressing the underlying factors that contribute to weight gain. At My Weight 1st Medical, we help patients who struggle to lose weight, experience repeated weight regain, have weight-related health conditions, or need additional support after bariatric surgery. Treatment begins with a comprehensive medical evaluation and may include individualized nutrition and lifestyle strategies, FDA-approved weight-loss medications, including GLP-1–based therapies
- Bariatric Surgery Follow-UpBariatric surgery follow-up involves ongoing medical care to support long-term health and weight management after procedures such as gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy. Continued care is important for monitoring nutritional health, managing weight-related medical conditions, identifying potential complications, and addressing weight recurrence or inadequate weight loss. At My Weight 1st Medical, Dr. Rafael Alvarez draws on his extensive experience in bariatric surgery and obesity medicine to provide individualized, nonsurgical follow-up care for patients who have previously undergone weight-loss surgery, including those whose procedures were performed elsewhere. Care may include nutr
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition in which breathing repeatedly becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep, often causing snoring, interrupted sleep, daytime fatigue, and increased cardiovascular risks. Excess body weight is an important risk factor, and weight reduction can significantly improve sleep apnea severity in many patients. At My Weight 1st Medical, we help patients with obesity and obstructive sleep apnea through comprehensive, physician-led medical weight management. Treatment may include individualized nutritional and lifestyle interventions, FDA-approved anti-obesity medications when appropriate, and ongoing monitoring of weight-related health co
- Fatty LiverFatty liver disease, now commonly referred to as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), occurs when excess fat accumulates in the liver in association with metabolic risk factors such as obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, or abnormal cholesterol levels. Although often asymptomatic, the condition can sometimes progress to liver inflammation, fibrosis, and more advanced liver disease. At My Weight 1st Medical, we help patients with obesity and fatty liver disease through comprehensive, physician-led weight management. Treatment may include individualized nutritional and lifestyle interventions, physical activity recommendations, and evidence-based anti-
Conditions Commonly Evaluated or Treated
Within Preventive Medicine generally. Availability varies by clinician, training and location.
Conditions
Cancer risk
Environmental health
- Asbestos Exposure
- Tick bite and Lyme disease risk
- Toxic Mold Exposure
- Workplace Chemical Exposure
- Heavy Metal Toxicity
General wellness
Heart health
- Heart Disease Risk
- Coronary artery disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Poor Circulation
Kidney health
Lifestyle & wellness
Longevity
Occupational health
- Asbestos and mineral dust exposure
- Work-Related Back Strain
- Shift Work Sleep Problems
Sexual health
Substance use
Travel health
Workplace health
- Work-related Injury
- Carpal tunnel
- Noise-Induced Hearing Damage
- Repetitive strain injury
Addiction & habits
Blood sugar
Bone & joint
Brain health
- Mild cognitive impairment
Digestive health
- Gut Health Issues
Hormones
- Hormone Imbalance
- Testosterone deficiency
- Underactive Thyroid
Liver & digestion
Metabolic health
Nutrition & deficiencies
Nutrition & deficiency
- Food Intolerances And Sensitivities
- Vitamin D deficiency
Preventive care
- Balance Problems and Fall Risk
Sleep health
- Insomnia and Sleep Problems
- Sleep apnea
Weight & metabolism
- Insulin Resistance
- Metabolic syndrome
- Obesity
Procedures & services
Addiction & habits
Cancer screening
- Cancer screening and prevention planning
- Screening colonoscopy
- Low-dose CT lung cancer screening
- Mammogram Referral
- Pap smear
- Prostate cancer blood test
- Skin cancer screening
Checkups & exams
Environmental health
Fitness & body composition
- VO2 Max Test
- DEXA Body Composition Scan
Immunizations
- Hepatitis Screening And Vaccine
- COVID-19 Booster
- Flu shot
- HPV vaccine
- Pneumonia shot
- Routine Vaccines
- Tetanus shot
Longevity
Metabolic health
Preventive imaging
Screening & labs
- Diabetes and prediabetes screening
- Genetic Health Risk Testing
- Heart Calcium Score
- Hormone Panel Testing
- Bone Density Scan Referral
- Cholesterol screening
- Food Sensitivity Testing
- Tuberculosis Blood Test
Workplace health
- Ergonomic Workstation Evaluation
- Respirator Fit Testing
- Return To Work Clearance
- DOT Physical Exam
- Hearing Test For Work
- Pre-Employment Physical
- Workplace Drug Test
Heart health
Lab tests
- Routine blood work
- STI Screening Panel
Lifestyle & wellness
- Exercise Prescription
- Medical nutrition therapy
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction
Occupational health
- Return To Work Evaluation
Sexual health
- PrEP prescription
Travel health
Weight & metabolism
Procedures Most Often Billed to Medicare
288 services · 217 patients · 4 distinct codes
| Procedure | Type | Code | Services | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biopsy of esophagus, stomach, and/or upper small bowel using a flexible endoscope | Procedure | 43239 |
28 | Too few peers to compare |
| Established patient office or other outpatient visit with moderate level of decision making, if using time, 30 minutes or more | Office visit | 99214 |
192 | More often than most peers in Preventive Medicine |
| New patient office or other outpatient visit with moderate level of medical decision making, if using time, 45 minutes or more | Office visit | 99204 |
43 | More often than most peers in Preventive Medicine |
| Visit complexity inherent to evaluation and management associated with medical care services that serve as the continuing focal point for all needed health care services and/or with medical care services that are part of ongoing care related to a patient' | Billing code | G2211 |
25 | Less often than most peers in Preventive Medicine |
Source: CMS Medicare public data. Shows how often procedures were billed — not quality of care or patient satisfaction.
Related providers
Connections drawn from the registry and from what providers have told us. A link here is not a referral or an endorsement.
Also at this address 2
Providers at the same street address. Each files their own registry entry, so a shared practice often appears under several different names.
Trained at University of Michigan Medical School 4
Other providers in the same specialty who trained at the same institution.
Class of 2013 at University of Michigan Medical School 8
Providers who graduated from the same medical school in the same year.
Common questions
What services does My Weight 1st Medical provide, and do you care for patients who have had bariatric surgery?
My Weight 1st Medical provides physician-led, comprehensive nonsurgical obesity treatment and medical weight management. Services include individualized weight management plans, nutritional and lifestyle counseling, anti-obesity medications when appropriate, and long-term medical support. Dr. Alvarez also specializes in medical weight management following bariatric surgery, including patients experiencing weight recurrence, inadequate weight loss, or difficulty maintaining their results. His extensive background in general and bariatric surgery provides a unique perspective on obesity treatment and long-term weight management. Our clinic does not perform bariatric surgery but can coordinate referrals when surgical evaluation is appropriate.
Answered by the provider
Do you prescribe GLP-1 medications, and what is your approach to weight management?
Yes. Dr. Alvarez offers evidence-based obesity treatment that may include FDA-approved anti-obesity medications, including GLP-1–based therapies, when medically appropriate. Treatment begins with a comprehensive assessment of your medical history, weight-related conditions, previous treatments, and individual goals. Medication selection considers safety, effectiveness, potential contraindications, and insurance coverage. We recognize obesity as a complex, chronic medical condition rather than simply a matter of willpower. Our approach combines individualized medical treatment, nutritional guidance, lifestyle interventions, and ongoing follow-up in a compassionate, judgment-free environment. Our goal is sustainable weight management, improved metabolic health, and better long-term quality of life.
Answered by the provider
How do I schedule an appointment, what should I expect, and are telemedicine visits available?
To schedule an appointment, call My Weight 1st Medical at (816) 393-0110 or visit www.myweight1st.com. Our clinic is located at 2600 NW Prairie View Road, Suite A, Platte City, MO 64079. During your initial consultation, Dr. Alvarez reviews your medical history, previous weight management efforts, medications, weight-related conditions, and treatment goals to develop a personalized care plan. Please bring an updated medication list and any relevant medical records, recent laboratory results, or bariatric surgery information. Secure telemedicine follow-up appointments may be available for established patients when clinically appropriate and permitted by applicable licensing requirements. Some visits require in-person evaluation. Referral requirements, insurance participation, and coverage vary by health plan. Please contact our office to confirm your specific requirements and appointment availability.
Answered by the provider
What kind of doctor is Dr. Alvarez?
Dr. Alvarez is a preventive medicine in Platte City, MO. That is the designation recorded for this NPI in the federal registry.
NPI registry
What is Dr. Alvarez's address?
Dr. Alvarez is listed at 2600 Nw Prairie View Rd Suite A, Platte City, MO 64079. Addresses come from the NPI registry and can lag a move, so confirm before travelling.
NPI registry
How can I make an appointment with Dr. Alvarez?
The number on file is (816) 393-0110. You can also reach them through their website. Contact the office directly to confirm availability and scheduling.
NPI registry
What is Dr. Alvarez's NPI number?
Dr. Alvarez's National Provider Identifier is 1487090858. It is issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and is unique and permanent — it does not change if they move practice.
NPI registry
Where did Dr. Alvarez train?
Dr. Alvarez attended University of Michigan Medical School, graduating in 2013. This comes from the CMS National Downloadable File.
CMS public data
How long has Dr. Alvarez been practicing?
Dr. Alvarez has 13 years experience. Calculated from a graduation year of 2013, reported in the CMS National Downloadable File.
CMS public data
What procedures does Dr. Alvarez perform?
According to Medicare billing data, Dr. Alvarez performs procedures including biopsy of esophagus, stomach, and/or upper small bowel using a flexible endoscope, alongside routine visits and testing. This reflects Medicare patients only and is billing volume, not a measure of quality.
Medicare claims
What languages does Dr. Alvarez speak?
Dr. Alvarez lists English and Spanish.
Answered by the provider
What insurance does Dr. Alvarez accept?
Dr. Alvarez lists Medicare, Medicaid and Self-pay. Plans change, so confirm your specific plan with the office before your visit.
Answered by the provider
What conditions does Dr. Alvarez treat?
Dr. Alvarez lists Weight Loss, Bariatric Surgery Follow-Up, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Fatty Liver.
Answered by the provider
When is Dr. Alvarez open?
Listed hours at Primary practice: Mon 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Tue 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Wed 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Thu 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Sat Closed, Sun Closed.
Answered by the provider
What hospitals is Dr. Alvarez affiliated with?
Dr. Alvarez lists My Weight 1st Medical.
Answered by the provider
Has Dr. Alvarez confirmed this information?
Yes. Dr. Alvarez confirmed this profile is theirs and maintains it. Guide.md matches the email address used against the public record and proves it by a link sent to that address; where an address cannot be matched, a government-issued ID is verified through Stripe instead. Verification confirms who controls the page — it is not a statement about clinical quality, and it does not certify current licensure or board status.
Guide.md
Guide.md listings do not constitute medical advice or an endorsement.