This morning at Superlake, while doing my daily food shopping, I have had to avoid hugs and kisses with many friends wanting to wish me Happy New Year because I have an almost cold. I say that because I am still managing to fend off a full blown cold with daily doses of Echinacea and, of course, I did have my flu shot.

My husband got sick first in Canada and I did manage to get him better when I arrived there a week later. Then he has relapsed twice but is hanging in there as he has clients from out of town here so one soldiers on.

My son has been sick since December 19th and a seeming cold has turned into pneumonia and, as it is not any better after several courses of antibiotics, jarabes, (cough syrups) a series of injections and oxygen treatments, we are now awaiting the results of a culture text taken yesterday. I forgot to mention the Vick’s Vapor Rub thrown in for good measure.

His fiancé has a cold of course and so does my daughter and her boyfriend has bronchitis. He is a little better after 2 days of bed rest and nobody is laughing at me now that I bought the giant family pack of Tylenol Cold and Tylenol Cold Complete when in Canada. This is a wonderful product (only available sporadically in Ajijic, Lake Chapala) which works for all of us except those with pneumonia or bronchitis.

I am dosing myself daily and getting on with it as we have a houseful of people to feed and a wedding to plan which is bearing down on us with lightning speed. Also as of February 3rd the Canadian and American relatives arrive for the festive occasion.

All of these things are usually cause for great joy but when one is under the weather reaching for the remote can be too much to deal with. The other night I went to bed early which I am trying to do most nights without taking my Tylenol Cold pills. I lay there in bed hoping someone would come and get them for me as the thought of getting up to travel the 6 feet to procure said pills was not something I could entertain.

Fortunately, my almost daughter-in-law came to check on me, waking me and the dogs happily sleeping on the bed with me, and got my pills for me. I will be forever in her debt.

We are all working very hard on getting healthy again and appreciate always that we live in paradise with wonderful warm sunshine which not only is good for the soul but is also good for recovery.

Salud!

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1074406–peaceful-canadian-port-thrives-amid-a-mexican-drug-war

There is also a very good bone doctor, Dr. Gonzalez, and many other specialties are represented with doctors that come out from Guadalajara every week.

If you visit their web site at: www.maskarasclinic.com you will find all the other doctors and the address and phone number of Maskaras Clinic.

There is a new doctor at Maskaras Clinic now who I would like to introduce to you. His name is Dr. Jaime Lopez Guzman who is a specialist in internal medicine and a member of the Latin-American Association of Diabetes. His email address is: jaimelzgz@hotmail.com and his cell phone number is 045 333 488 4653.

Dr. Lopez is on call on week-ends but also seems to be there during the week as well.

I needed an ear looked at and Dr. Garcia was fully booked as usual and rather than keep me waiting he suggested that Dr. Lopez look at me. Dr. Lopez speaks English and has a very kind and thorough manner. I liked him very much and am very happy we now have a backup, if you will, for our Dr. Garcia.

Flu shots are now available at Maskaras Clinic for $300.00 pesos and you do not need an appointment. Just go to the clinic from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday to Friday and go upstairs and the nurse will administer the injection. Then you pay the receptionist, Judith.
There is nothing more important than your health and Maskaras Clinic will look after you and they also has a very reasonable discount program for visits, lab work and x-rays etc. which is also posted on their web site.

Salud!

This is wonderful opportunity to get checked out before the Winter season and onset of snow birds. Take advantage of this Health Fair!

The Lake Chapala Society is located in downtow Ajijic on 16 de Septiembre # 16A.

Tuesday 11 & Wednesday 12 October 2011, 10-1 PM

* Sign-up @ LCS Office, Lake Pharmacy, 293 Medical Center
** NOTE: Diabetes & Lipid Profile tests take place only from 10-12. If
both tests are desired, they must be done on separate days due to testing
criteria. $ Charge: Tests & Price lists at sign-up locations & test sites
during fair. Pay on the day service received.

11 OCTOBER TUESDAY

*/** $ 10-12: CARE Lab: Various Cancer Screening, HbA1c Lipid Profile
(12 Hour Fast) – Gazebo
** 10-12: Diabetic Testing -High carbohydrate breakfast TWO HOURS
BEFORE (Pancakes, yogurt, oatmeal, granola, fruit, juice) – Gazebo
* $ 10-1: Shots: Pneumonia, Tetanus & Flu – Gazebo
10-1: Blood Pressure – Talking Book Room
10-1: Eye Pressure Testing – Clinic
10-1: Vendors – Neil James Patio
12-1: Lecture by Dr. Bernie Metcalf: Immunizations For Elderly – Sala

12 OCTOBER WEDNESDAY

*/** $ 10-12: CARE Lab – Various Cancer Screening, HbA1c Lipid Profile
(12 Hour Fast) – Gazebo
** 10-12: Diabetic Testing – High carbohydrate breakfast TWO HOURS
BEFORE (Pancakes, yogurt, oatmeal, granola, fruit, juice) – Gazebo
* $ 10-12: Skin Cancer Screening (Sign-up LCS) – Clinic & Insurance
* $ 10-1: Shots: Pneumonia, Tetanus & Flu – Gazebo
10-1: Blood Pressure – Talking Book Room
10-1: Vendors – Neil James Patio
12-1: Lecture: 4 Must Have Documents presented by Erik Slebos – Sala

——————————————–

LCS HEALTH FAIR

Tuesday 11 & Wednesday 12 October 2011
10 AM – 1 PM

The semi-annual Health Fair offers various health screenings, lab
tests and presentations from medical and health professionals. Open to
all Lakeside residents and LCS members, so please take advantage of
these health services and seminars.

This year’s Health Fair, under the auspices of the LCS’s new Health
Program Manager Hebina Hood, will include the traditional screenings
as well as vendor booths occupied by healthcare providers including
Lakeside and Guadalajara hospitals and clinics, physicians,
pharmacies, spas, fitness centers, organic health stores, insurance
agents and retirement and convalescence facilities.

The representatives will be available to answer your questions and
share tips on how to live a healthy and active lifestyle. Many free
health care screenings will be available, including blood pressure
checks, diabetes testing and hearing tests. Various cancer screenings
as well as lipid profile and HbA1c tests will be offered by Care Lab.
Lake Med Pharmacy will be offering pneumonia, tetanus and flu shots
for a small fee.

Two lectures offering specific health information for Lakeside
residents will be presented. On Tuesday, Dr. Bernie Metcalf will
discuss “Immunizations for the Elderly”. Dr. Metcalf, who specialized
in family practice and emergency medicine in Arizona before retiring
to Lakeside, will discuss considerations for seniors relating to
various immunizations, as well as specific recommendations for living
full-time in Mexico.

On Wednesday, Erik Slebos will present “End of Life Planning: Four
Essential Documents.” Erik’s specialty, thanatology, is the science of
the social and psychological aspects of death, dying and grieving.
Erik provides guidance to individuals and families relating to end of
life issues, as well as proper arrangements individuals and family
members can make in preparation for the last phases of life.

There is no entry fee for the Health Fair and all Lakeside residents
are encouraged to attend. You can find a complete schedule on LCS’
website. Interested vendors not yet registered for a booth at the fair
should contact Lorena Rule at (376)-765-7777.

Albeit Health Care in Canada is wonderful and free you don’t always get the information you want or need about your own body and the results of tests. One always has to wait for the information to get to your doctor and then you are given said information and results at that appointment. This process could take several weeks and now even months.

One’s annual physical can be a daunting undertaking. Often there are many different places one has to go to get the different tests necessary and no one will ever tell you anything, as I said, until you see your doctor.

One of the many things I like about Ajijic, Lake Chapala is the speed with which one can have all one’s tests and the results thereto.

I personally have been associated with Clinica Maskaras since we arrived here in 1994. In the beginning I would send all of the diagnosis to my team in Canada and they were always spot on so I began to trust Dr. Carlos Garcia and his team of specialists at Clinica Maskaras.

Today I went for all my tests for my annual physical and was home in half an hour having completed a battery of lab tests as well as various x-rays, breathing tests and an EKG. The cost was very reasonable as we have a plan with Clinica Maskaras which gives you unlimited doctor visits (excluding specialists), and discounted lab and x-ray work.

Lulu the technician in the lab is terrific and Victor the x-ray technician is very nice as well. Everything was conducted with warmth and dispatch and I was, as usual, very happy with the whole process.

In a week I have an appointment with Dr. Garcia to get all my results and, hopefully, todo bien. However, if I wish to contact Lulu prior to my appointment I can do so and obtain a written report of the lab work and I have already asked Victor if everything was OK with my heart and lungs.
Maskaras Clinic is located on the carretera Hidalgo 79-G, Riberas Del Pilar, Chapala, Jalisco and there phone # is 765-4805.

All Clinica Maskaras doctors are board certified and the specialties are: Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Traumatology, Orthopedics, Speech Therapy, Dermatology, Plastic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Angiology, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Gastroenterology, Urology, Radiology, Anesthesiology, General Surgery and Dentistry.

Visit their web site at: www.maskarasclinic.com

Nothing is more important than our health and it is up to us to make sure we take the best care of it that we can and part of that very important equation is putting yourself in the best hands possible.

Salud!

First: A reality check on Mexico

Mexico is in a unique position to reap many of the benefits of the decline of the US economy. In order to not violate NAFTA and other agreements the U.S.A. cannot use direct protectionism, so it is content to allow the media to play this protectionist role. The U.S. media – over the last year – has portrayed Mexico as being on the brink of economic collapse and civil war. The Mexican people are either beheaded, kidnapped, poor, corrupt, or narco-traffickers. The American news media was particularly aggressive in the weeks leading up to spring break. The main reason for this is money. During that two-week period, over 120,000 young American citizens poured into Mexico and left behind hundreds of millions of dollars.

Let’s look at the reality of the massive drug and corruption problem, kidnappings, murders and money. The U.S. Secretary of State Clinton was clear in her honest assessment of the problem. “Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade. Our inability to prevent the weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border to arm these criminals causes the deaths of police officers, soldiers and civilians,” Clinton said. The other large illegal business that is smuggled into the U.S.A. that no one likes to talk about is Human Traffic for prostitution. This “business” is globally now competing with drugs in terms of profits.

It is critical to understand, however that the horrific violence in Mexico is over 95% confined to the three transshipping cities for these two businesses, Juarez, Tijuana and Nogales. The Mexican government is so serious about fighting this, that they have committed over 30,000 soldiers to these borders towns. There was a thoughtful article written by a professor at the University of Juarez. He was reminded of the Prohibition years in the U.S.A. and compared Juarez to Chicago when Al Capone was conducting his reign of terror capped off with The Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre. During these years, just like Juarez today, 99% of the citizens went about their daily lives and attended classes, went to the movies, restaurants, and parks.

Is there corruption in Mexico? YES !!! Is there an equal amount of corruption related to this business in the U.S.A.? YES !!!. When you have a pair of illegal businesses that generate over $300,000,000,000 in sales you will find massive corruption. Make no mistake about the Mexican Drug Cartel; these “businessmen” are 100 times more sophisticated than the bumbling bootleggers during Prohibition. They form profitable alliances all over the U.S.A. They do cost benefit analysis of their business much better than the US automobile industry. They have found over the years that the cost of bribing U.S. and Mexican Border Guards and the transportation costs of moving marijuana from Sinaloa to California have cut significantly into profits. That is why over the past 5-7 years they have been growing marijuana in State and Federal Parks and BLM land all across America. From a business standpoint, this is a tremendous cost savings on several levels. Let’s look at California as an example as one of the largest consumers. When you have $14.2 billion of Marijuana grown and consumed in one state, there is savings on transportation, less loss of product due to confiscation and an overall reduction cost of bribery with law enforcement and parks service people. Another great savings is the benefit to their employees. The penalties in Mexico for growing range from 5-15 years. The penalties in California, on average are 18 months, and out in 8 months. The same economic principles are now being applied to the methamphetamine factories.

FOX News continues to scare people with its focus on kidnapping. There are kidnappings in Mexico. The concentration of kidnappings has been in Mexico City, among the very rich and the three aforementioned border Cities. With the exception of Mexico City, the number one city for kidnappings among NAFTA countries is Phoenix, Arizona with over 359 in 2008. The Phoenix Police estimate that twice that number of kidnappings goes unreported, because like Mexico 99% of these crimes were directly related to drug and human traffic. Phoenix, unfortunately, is geographically profitable transshipping location. Mexicans, just like 99% of U.S. Citizens during prohibition, go about their daily lives all over the country. They get up, go to school or work and live their lives untouched by the border town violence.

These same protectionist news sources have misled the public as to the real danger from the swine flu in Mexico and temporary devastated the tourism business. As of May 27 2009 there have been 87 deaths in Mexico from the swine flu. During those same five months there have been 36 murdered school children in Chicago. By their logic, if 87 deaths from the swine flu in Mexico warrants canceling flights and cruise ships to Mexico, then close all roads and highways in the USA because of record 43,359 automobile related deaths in the USA in 2008.

What is just getting underway is what many are calling the “Largest southern migration to Mexico of people and real estate assets since the Civil War” A significant percentage of the Baby Boomers have been doing the research and are making the life changing decision to move out of the U.S.A. The number one retirement destination in the world is Mexico. There are already over 2,000,000 US and Canadian property owners in Mexico. The most conservative number of American and Canadian Baby Boomers who are on their way to owning property in Mexico for full or part time living in the next 15 years is over 6,000,000. Do the math on 6,000,000 people buying a $300,000 house or condo and you will understand why the U.S. Government is trying to tax this massive shift of money to Mexico through H.R. 3056. The U.S. government calls this “The Tax Collection Responsibility Act of 2007″. Those who will have to pay it are calling this the EXIT TAX.

Mexico: A better economic choice than China

Another large exodus from the U.S.A is high paying skilled jobs. The job shift in automobile sector, both car and parts manufacturing, is already known by most investors. In the last few months as John Deere and Caterpillar have been laying off thousands of workers in the U.S.A., and hiring equal numbers in Mexico. The most recent industry that is making the shift is the aerospace manufacturers. In the city of Zacatecas there is currently a $210 million aerospace facility being built. With the 11 U.S. companies moving there, it is estimated to provide over 200,000 new high paying jobs in the coming years. One of the main factors for the shift in job south to Mexico instead of China is realistic analysis of total production, labor and delivery costs. While the labor costs in China are 40% less on average, the overall transportation costs and inherent risks of a long distance supply chain, and quality control issues, gives Mexico a distinct financial advantage.

Mexico’s real economic future

Mexico has avoided completely the subprime problem that has devastated the U.S. banking industry. The Mexican banks are healthy and profitable. Mexico has a growing and very healthy middle and upper middle class. The very recent introduction of residential financing has Mexico in a unique position of having over 90% of current homeowners owning their house outright. U.S. banks are competing for the Mexican, Canadian and American cross border loan business. It is and will continue to be a very safe and very profitable business. These same banks that were loaning in a reckless manner have learned their lesson and are loaning here the old fashioned way. They require a minimum of a 680 credit score, 30% down payment, and verifiable income that can support the loan. In most areas of Mexico where Baby Boomers are moving to, with the exception of Puerto Penasco (which did not have a national and international base of buyers), there is no real estate bubble.. The higher end markets ($2-20 million) in many of these destinations are going through a modest correction. The Baby Boomers market here is between $200,000 and $600,000. With the continuing demand inside the Bay of Banderas, that price point, in the coming years, will disappear. This is the reason the Mexican government is spending billions of dollars on more infrastructure north along the coast all the way up to Mazatlan.

The other major area where America has become overpriced is in the field of health care. This massive shift of revenues is estimated to add 5-7% to Mexico’s GDP. The name for this “business” is Medical Tourism. The two biggest competitors for Mexico were Thailand and India. Thailand and India’s biggest drawback is geography. Also recent events, Thailand’s inability to keep a government in place and the recent terrorist attack in Mumbai, have helped Mexico capture close to half of this growth industry. In Mexico today there are over 56 world class hospitals being built to keep up with this business.

Mexico is currently sitting on a cash surplus and an almost balanced budget. Most Americans have never heard of Carlos Slim until he loaned the New York Times $250 million. After that it became clear to many investors around the world what Mexicans already knew: that Mexico had been able to avoid the worst of the U.S. economic devastation. Mexico’s resilience is to be admired. When the U.S. Federal Reserve granted a $30 billion loan to each of Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, and Brazil, Mexico reinvested the money in Treasury bonds in an account in New York City.

According to oil traders, Mexico’s Pemex wisely as the price of oil shot to $147 a barrel put in place an investment strategy that hinged on oil trading in the range of $38-$60 a barrel. Since the beginning of 2009 Mexico has been collecting revenues on hedged positions that give them $90-$110 per barrel today. Mexico’s recent and under reported oil discovery in the Palaeo Channels of Chicontepec has placed it third in the world for oil reserves, right behind Canada and Saudi Arabia.

The following is a quote from Rosalind Wilson, President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce on March 19, 2009. “The strength of the Mexican economic system makes the country a favorite destination for Canadian investment”.

OPPORTUNITIES: WHY PUERTO VALLARTA & THE RIVIERA NAYARIT

The answer is simple and old fashioned: SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

The area of Puerto Vallarta/Riviera Nayarit inside the Bay of Banderas is an investor’s dream. This area has the comprehensive infrastructure in place, world class hospitals and dental care, natural investment protection from the Sierra Madre Mountains, endless future water supply, low to nonexistent crime, international airport, and limited supply inside the Bay, first class private bilingual schools and higher than average appreciation potential. Like many areas in Mexico there is large demand for full and part time retirement living and a lot of construction underway to meet this demand. Pre construction of course is where the best bargains are available.

I would offer a word of caution for investors in Mexico. Do not be seduced by the endless natural beauty that is everywhere, both inland in colonial towns and along thousands of miles of beach. Apply conservative medium and long term investment strategies without emotion. The demand for full and part time living by American and Canadian Baby Boomers is evident throughout the country. The top two choice locations are ocean front, and ocean view. The third overall choice, which is less expensive, is inland in one of the many beautiful colonial towns or small cities.

Mexico, with the world’s 13th largest GDP, is no longer a “Third World Country”, but rather a fast growing, economically secure state, as the most recent five-year history of its financial markets when compared to the U.S.A.’s financial markets suggests.

DOW JONES AVERAGES MAY 2004 10,200 – MAY 2009 8,200 20% LOSS IN 5 YEARS

MEXICAN BOLSA MAY 2004 10,000 – MAY 2009 23,000 130% GAIN IN 5 YEARS

Surprisingly enough as we watched the Dow Jones Index plummet 512 points yesterday we still find the economies in both Canada and Mexico are growing and even flourishing in many parts.

Real Estate is booming in Toronto and Vancouver, Canada and we are lucky enough to be busy here in Ajijic, Lake Chapala even though it not the “busy season”.

They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. It would seem then that perhaps looking south of the border during these times of financial unrest could make a lot of sense for a better life and easier retirement.

I would suggest going north of the border but I am partial to our almost perfect weather in Ajijic, Lake Chalapa which is 75 degrees and sunny 99 percent of the year. Having lived in Toronto, Canada for many years I cannot say the same thing about the Canadian weather.

For those on fixed incomes it would make sense to have your limited income go as far as possible and the cost of living here is much less than it is in the US or Canada.

One of the many reasons Mexico’s economy is thriving is because many now skilled workers are returning home from the US as the jobs are scarcer or non- existent. This influx is stimulating the economy as the infrastructure continues to improve.

We see it ourselves. Things are very different here than when we moved to Ajijic, Lake Chapala over 17 years ago. We now have world class technology available at competitive prices which makes doing business anywhere in the world possible.

Products and services are now available to us that in the past were unheard of and things continue to get better every year.

Some people like to view Mexico as a third world country but we have always seen it as a developing nation and I think if you do your due diligence online you will find out that Mexico could be the place of the future for growth and stability.

Retirement can be stepping into the great unknown but now with everything Mexico has to offer in terms of economic growth, excellent affordable healthcare and realistic real estate opportunities this might be the place for you. It is certainly has been for us and for that we are very grateful for every wonderful day we spend in our paradise in the sun.

Ask questions and find it if Mexico has everything you need and want in a retirement opportunity.

Our favorite expression is “Most people come for the weather but stay for the people”.

Dr. Agula has a wonderful reputation and is very young and clearly up on all the latest technology and he is board certified. He is also referred to as “wunderkind”.

I was very impressed with the time he spent with me answering all of my questions. He was very warm and caring and wanted to know a great deal about my medical history which was very reassuring indeed.

He showed my various before and after shots on his computer, not mentioning any names of course, and I could see for myself the impressiveness of his work.

He does all of his surgeries out here in Ajijic with his own staff from Guadalajara and prefers local anesthetics to generals as they are less risky. Dr. Aguila describes in detail what one should expect and gives you comprehensive printed material of Before Facelift Surgery Instructions and After Facelift Instructions. You are invited to call him or email him with any additional question you may have.

The first appointment is for the consultation for you to express your desired outcome and for him to make his recommendations. You are given a request for blood work and prices are discussed. He shows you in the mirror what you will look like after the procedure and where the scars will be. The next appointment will be to turn in the results of your blood work, ask any further questions and select a date for your surgery

According to Dr. Aguila your facelift will last forever and he takes great pains to make sure your surgery experience is a pleasant one. Dr. Aguila says after your facelift you will look fresh and be happy.

I thought the prices were very competitive and about one third of the cost for the same procedures in Canada (and that was 17 years ago).

Every patient is different so these are just approximate guidelines:

Neck Lift – $ 30,000.00 pesos
Facelift including neck lift, cheeks, jowls, eyelids and eyebrow lift, fat fillers (lines and lips) and dermoabrasion (upper lip) – $45,000.00 pesos
The cost for the clinic here in Ajijic is $7,000.00 pesos. If you would prefer, you can also have your procedure done in Guadalajara.

You come out with the feeling that this could be the best decision you have ever made as Dr. Aguila certainly seems to know his onions as it were.

You can also visit his web site at: www.nfbplasticsurgery.com for further information and prices.

Dr. Sergio Aguila Bimbela is located in the Dermika Dermatology Center in the Ajijic Plaza, Carretera Oriente # 57-5. For an appointment and in depth consultation call 766-2500. The price for the consultation is $400.00 pesos.

I am no stranger to Dermika as I have had firsthand knowledge of two friends who have been very happy with the results of this dermatology center and now I am a patient myself.

One friend had a complete face-lift and the other one had Rystaline shots in her face. Both procedures were hugely successful as was mine.

This is a dermatology center that incorporates a team of highly specialized medical professionals who provide a scientific professional and human treatment both in adults and children. There is a clinic here in Ajijic and one in Guadalajara.

All specialists are either Board Certified or the in the process of becoming certified and a constantly updating their skills with information both from Mexico and abroad.

There are 6 dermatologists, one nutritionist and the very popular plastic surgeon, Dr. Sergio Aguila Bimbela, on staff.

Dermika specializes in Medical Dermatology, Pediatric Dermatology, Laser Treatments, Dermatologic Surgery, Cosmetic Dermatology, Nutritional Counseling and Plastic Surgery.

Their offices are clean and bright and the receptionist is warm and friendly. I particularly was impressed with the high technology available and the modern equipment in each office.

This Dermatology Center enjoys a very good reputation and I can understand why.
The Certified Dermatologist I saw was Dra. Tania Sanchez and she is wonderful, warm and very professional. Dra. Sanchez specializes in illnesses of the skin, hair and nails, pediatric dermatology, dermatologic surgery, detection and treatment of skin cancer, and cosmetic procedures such as peeling, botox and rystaline.

As we age skin cancer is a real threat and having this very efficient dermatology center right here in Ajijic is terrific. In less than half an hour one can be scanned from head to toe and diagnosed and treated on the spot.

Their prices are very competitive.

Please call for an appointment. You will be glad you did.

Dermika also has a Facebook page for additional information.

A freak accident caused my daughter to tear a ligament in her foot which was extremely painful. I was summoned to take her for an x-ray to see how serious the damage was.

I called ahead to Maskaras Clinic (765-4805) to make sure Victor was there to take an x-ray and as he was we lifted our daughter into the car and proceeded with all due haste to Maskaras Clinic. Victor, the technician, met us at the door with a wheelchair, helped get my daughter out of the car and took her upstairs for a shot for pain before attempting the x-ray.

Blood pressure taken and pain medication duly administered our daughter was taken back downstairs for the x-rays. Nothing seemed broken and Dr. Garcia was called in for consultation.

After gingerly examining the foot in question and the x-ray he proclaimed that nothing was broken but a ligament had been torn which could be worse than a fracture if not properly taken care of.

He provided us with a plastic splint- like boot to keep the foot still and lengthy instructions on the care of the foot for the next week.

Appropriate pain and anti-inflammatory medications were prescribed and purchased and we were home within the hour.

The staff was wonderful and efficient from the receptionist, Judith, to the nurse, Manuela, Victor and, of course, Dr. Garcia himself who always takes such good care of our family.

We have been going to Dr. Garcia for the 17 years we have lived in Ajijic, Lake Chapala and have never in all of those years had occasion to doubt his diagnosis or treatment.

We are very happy always with how we are looked after at Maskaras Clinic and we think you will be too.

Dr. Garcia offers a Plan for reduced rates for visits, labs and x-rays etc. and had visiting doctors from Guadalajara in a number of specialties.

Maskaras Clinic is located in Riberas del Pilar on Hidalgo 70-G (which is the carretera) halfway to Chapala on the lake side.

Salud!