Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - November always seems to bring a new energy to the Banderas Bay area as our "snowbirds" return. Those of us who are here year-round look forward to seeing our friends return and the local social-scene (regardless of what area you live in the Bay) kicks in to high gear. We hope that you will take care of your health first – social stuff second! Please take your time and read the newsletter thoroughly.

Below, please see our clinic listings and information for November. If you would like to participate, please email me at your earliest convenience (they fill VERY quickly!) with your name, your email and if possible, a local phone number. The clinics are in various locations and are all screening clinics (meaning procedures, if deemed necessary, are not performed at the clinics). Do not wait until the last minute to book, as it will be too late!

Skin Clinic
November 12 & November 21, 2013
Cost: $300 pesos (PLUS members pay $250 pesos)
This is one of our most popular clinics as an oncologist checks you from head to toe for skin cancer.

Ear Clinic
November 13, 2013
Cost: $375 pesos (PLUS members pay $325 pesos)
Performed by an ENT and using state of the art equipment, he will check way into your ears and clean them out if necessary. Note: This is not a hearing test.

Vascular Clinic
November 13, 2013
Cost: $400 pesos (PLUS members pay $350 pesos)
Our Vascular Specialist will check your pulses, blood flow and especially focus on the blood flow in your legs.

Mammogram Clinic
November 14, 2013
Cost: $920 pesos (PLUS members pay $820 pesos)
This is a thorough exam of your breasts that include a mammogram, an ultrasound (if necessary,) a manual exam and a review of your results. We are proud to do this clinic with our (female) breast specialist and oncologist.

Foot Clinic
November 21, 2013
Cost: $300 pesos (PLUS members, $250 pesos)
Our podiatrist will check everything from toe fungus to balance. Take care of your tootsies!

Men’s Urology Clinic
November 22, 2013
Cost: $700 pesos (PLUS members pay $650 pesos)
Consult, ultrasound prostate check. (Labwork is separate but at a special price.)

Women’s Clinic
November 26, 2013
Cost: $775 pesos (PLUS members pay $690 pesos)
Pap smear, pelvic exam and consult with our female GYN. (Labwork is separate but at a special price – not necessary for all.)

Cardiac Clinic
November 27, 2013
Cost: $550 pesos (PLUS members pay $500 pesos)
Complete cardiac review and consult and EKG. (Labwork is separate, but available at a special price.)

Hot Topic Mondays!
Speakers Program

Our Hot Topics Mondays were extremely popular in the summer months so we are continuing them through the fall/winter! SPACE IS LIMITED so it is absolutely necessary that you reserve. All of these are held at Hospital Amerimed, across the street from Plaza Marina. Take the elevator to the 3rd floor. After you exit the elevator, veer to the right and you will see a large lobby. Go to the far end of the lobby and the meeting room is behind the reception desk. We begin promptly at 11:15 am. These are at no charge.

Monday, November 11, 2013: "Mixing Meds" – Dr. Fernando Marquez
Does Medication X interfere with Medication Y? What if I also take Medication Z? How do the vitamins I take mix with my cardiac medications? Do I really need to take this handful of supplements? If you take any medications at all, then this talk is for you! Learn the dangers of self-prescribing/diagnosing.

Monday, November 18, 2013: "Stem Cells and Orthopedics" – Dr. Alberto Marron
Are you in need of a new hip? New knee? Do you have osteoarthritis? Learn the amazing advances and procedures that Dr. Marron is doing in the world of stem cells as used with orthopedic procedures. He has several years of experience with a wide variety of patients, with excellent results!

Monday, October 25, 2013: "Deep Vein Thrombosis" – Dr. Octavio Escoto
This is the time of year that we have many people with a DVT after a long flight. Learn how to avoid these while flying – or any other time and as well, the most state-of-the-art treatments. He will also cover other leg issues (varicose veins, poor blood flow). Got legs? Then this talk is for you!

Other Important Information

Did you know that colon cancer is on the rise, world-wide? We offer economically priced colonoscopies and endoscopies. We also have complete Men’s and Women’s Check-ups. Do you need some ongoing lab studies/diagnostic studies while you are here? Just let us know! Do you need a physician? We are so very proud to work with 25 specialists. They are professional, bi-lingual, board certified and darned good!

Take a look at this very recent Expat Almanac article on one of our physicians.

What is the PLUS membership? Click HERE for all of the details. (Prices are in pesos.)

Insurance? Do you have any? Perhaps you have insurance in the US/Canada and need to know if it covers you while you are here? We’re happy to assist! We do not sell insurance, but we do work with a variety of representatives who handle numerous policies. Again, send an email with your request! Remember, there is no such thing as free medical care here in Mexico.

Are you pre-diabetic or diabetic? Perhaps you would like to lose a few pounds? We are so very proud to work with Nathalie, our licensed dietician and licensed Diabetic Educator. Please contact us for information/appointment.

We are more than happy to set up a time to meet, one on one, to answer questions, set up a healthcare plan for you, arrange a personal physician for you – anything and everything related to health care in the Banderas Bay area!

And last but not least (because I can!) – we are pleased to announce the traditional Thanksgiving event at Hacienda Jalisco in San Sebastian. Deep pit BBQ’d turkey with all of the fixin’s in the fresh, cool air high in the Sierra Madres. If you would like more details, please email me. We still have room! Become a part of this tradition! It’s a blast and a gastric experience!

I am really trying to keep to (mostly) health-related topics in this newsletter. I will be doing a separate newsletter on other items – charities, new businesses, recommendations, events, etc. - so stay tuned!

Your Challenge For Today: Learn how to say your address in Spanish! And know your cross streets. If you need to call for an ambulance and/or emergency assistance, you must know this important information!

Welcome back to our snowbirds! We are looking forward to a super high season here in Puerto Vallarta and around the bay! Here’s to a very healthy one!

Cheers!
Pamela Thompson
healthcareresourcespv.com
pamela(at)healthcareresourcespv.com
Phone (322) 107-7007
Blog: pampv.wordpress.com/
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Pamela Thompson has lived and worked in Puerto Vallarta for over 17 years, 10 of them in health care. Pamela now leads HealthCare Resources Puerto Vallarta, a local healthcare resource network. Her years of experience and expertise are available to you by emailing your questions to pamela(at)healthcareresourcespv.com or by visiting HealthCareResourcesPV.com.

Click HERE to learn more about the health and well-being services offered by HealthCare Resources Puerto Vallarta.