Re:Update on Fillers

[Guest guest]

"It seems that Dr. Casavantes feels that the different formulations havesomewhat different qualities. I am currently trying to understand thesedifferences and will withhold judgment until I do and can defend myunderstanding. "PMMA is ground up plexiglass, exactly what Nobel-prize winning breakthrough do you think will be revealed? Haven't we been down this path? Remember how some molecular change was going to eliminate decades of real-world problems experienced with products very much like Bio-alcamid? It is true that "the authorities" are very cautious with permanent fillers. The history of these products is full of long-term complications, and most uses are for treating wrinkles, so complications are fairly unacceptable. It's a tough sell to the FDA.As for the relative safety of Tijuana vs Rio, you must be kidding. Neither is a good place to wear your tiaras in public, but Dr Sierra's office, in the Zona Sul, is hardly in a DMZ around a favela.JB

[Guest guest]

I have been to Dr. Casavantes office in Tijuana Mexico. The building is very safe and his office is as clean as any good doc's office in the US. I have never been to Rio and would be very afraid of the gangs, etc, that surround tourists on the streets. ( so I read). I live in San Diego and no longer go to Tijuana for fun because of the drug wars, but as long as you are not wandering around the city, alone. and get to a bad area, you will be fine.. I dont know if that is the case in Rio. If I had to go to Tijuana for prescription meds,, etc, I would have no worries.

[Guest guest]

"I have been to Dr. Casavantes office in Tijuana Mexico. The building is very safe and his office is as clean as any good doc's office in the US. I have never been to Rio and would be very afraid of the gangs, etc, that surround tourists on the streets. ( so I read). I live in San Diego and no longer go to Tijuana for fun because of the drug wars, but as long as you are not wandering around the city, alone. and get to a bad area, you will be fine.. I dont know if that is the case in Rio. If I had to go to Tijuana for prescription meds,, etc, I would have no worries. "I've been to Rio many times. Like most cities in Latin America, it requires street smarts. When you are in Copacabana or Ipanema, there are people who see you as a mark for pickpocketing or minor scams. You do have to be careful at night to avoid "bad" streets, and it's difficult to know which ones are risky. There are areas of the city where I would not venture alone, sort of like Los Angeles.I don't fear "roving drug gangs" and that kind of violence is confined to the favelas, where you don't go, anyway. I suspect that for most people, going to Tijuana is a lot less complicated and cheaper than going to Rio, but I would not make my travel decisions based on poor information about imagined dangers. JB

[Guest guest]

I've been to both Tijuana and Rio many times on vacations and trips. While

there's no doubt that Rio de Janeiro is one of the most stunningly beautiful

cities in the world and Tijuana is not, both have some safety issues. I don't

much care for Tijuana-- a scrappy city where I've been hassled, begged, hawked

and experienced many an attempted scam-- and feel much " safer " in Rio. I've

wandered all over Rio by myself without any problem. JB is right that gang

violence in Rio is confined to the favellas. There are no favellas anywhere

near Dr. Serra's office. The linking neighborhoods of Copacabana (where Dr.

Serra's office is located), Ipanema and Leblon are all totally safe, prime

tourist spots, with parts that are extremely upscale and wealthy (Leblon is sort

of like Beverly Hills), and no gangs in sight. Both Dr. Serra and Dr.

Casavantes have nice offices-- nicer than my HIV doc in NYC. I agree with JB--

don't choose your doctor based on poor travel information, but because you feel

that doc is the best medical choice for you.

Jess.

>

> " I have been to Dr. Casavantes office in Tijuana Mexico. The building is

> very safe and his office is as clean as any good doc's office in the

> US. I

> have never been to Rio and would be very afraid of the gangs, etc, that

> surround tourists on the streets. ( so I read). I live in San Diego

> and no

> longer go to Tijuana for fun because of the drug wars, but as long as

> you are

> not wandering around the city, alone. and get to a bad area, you will be

> fine.. I dont know if that is the case in Rio. If I had to go to

> Tijuana for

> prescription meds,, etc, I would have no worries. "

>

> I've been to Rio many times. Like most cities in Latin America, it

> requires street smarts.

>

> When you are in Copacabana or Ipanema, there are people who see you as

> a mark for pickpocketing or minor scams. You do have to be careful

> at night to avoid " bad " streets, and it's difficult to know which ones

> are risky. There are areas of the city where I would not venture

> alone, sort of like Los Angeles.

>

> I don't fear " roving drug gangs " and that kind of violence is confined

> to the favelas, where you don't go, anyway.

>

> I suspect that for most people, going to Tijuana is a lot less

> complicated and cheaper than going to Rio, but I would not make my

> travel decisions based on poor information about imagined dangers.

>

> JB

>

[Guest guest]

I have also gone to both Tijuana and RioGoing to Tijuana is not a big deal. It is 20 min from San Diego. You drive a car, park it by the border (US side) in a secured parking area, cross the border by foot, and take a $3 taxi to Dr Casavante's office. Coming back to the US takes longer since there is usually a line of cars (I have waited 40 min). Regards, Vergelpowerusa dot orgFrom: jesse1234martinez <outpost.arts@...> Sent: Sun, November 8, 2009 6:58:09 AMSubject: Re:Update on Fillers

I've been to both Tijuana and Rio many times on vacations and trips. While there's no doubt that Rio de Janeiro is one of the most stunningly beautiful cities in the world and Tijuana is not, both have some safety issues. I don't much care for Tijuana-- a scrappy city where I've been hassled, begged, hawked and experienced many an attempted scam-- and feel much "safer" in Rio. I've wandered all over Rio by myself without any problem. JB is right that gang violence in Rio is confined to the favellas. There are no favellas anywhere near Dr. Serra's office. The linking neighborhoods of Copacabana (where Dr. Serra's office is located), Ipanema and Leblon are all totally safe, prime tourist spots, with parts that are extremely upscale and wealthy (Leblon is sort of like Beverly Hills), and no gangs in sight. Both Dr. Serra and Dr. Casavantes have nice offices-- nicer than my HIV doc in NYC. I agree with JB-- don't

choose your doctor based on poor travel information, but because you feel that doc is the best medical choice for you. Jess. >> "I have been to Dr. Casavantes office in Tijuana Mexico. The building is> very safe and his office is as clean as any good doc's office in the > US. I> have never been to Rio and would be very afraid of the gangs, etc, that> surround tourists on the streets. ( so I read). I live in San Diego > and no> longer go to Tijuana for fun because of the drug wars, but as long as > you are> not wandering around the city, alone. and get to a bad area, you will be> fine.. I dont know if that is the case in Rio. If I had to go to > Tijuana

for> prescription meds,, etc, I would have no worries. "> > I've been to Rio many times. Like most cities in Latin America, it > requires street smarts.> > When you are in Copacabana or Ipanema, there are people who see you as > a mark for pickpocketing or minor scams. You do have to be careful > at night to avoid "bad" streets, and it's difficult to know which ones > are risky. There are areas of the city where I would not venture > alone, sort of like Los Angeles.> > I don't fear "roving drug gangs" and that kind of violence is confined > to the favelas, where you don't go, anyway.> > I suspect that for most people, going to Tijuana is a lot less > complicated and cheaper than going to Rio, but I would not make my > travel decisions based on poor information about

imagined dangers.> > JB>------------------------------------Welcome to our group!If you received this email from someone who forwarded it to you and would like to join this group, send a blank email to -subscribe and you will get an email with instructions to follow.You can chose to receive single emails or a daily digest (collection of emails). You can post pictures, images, attach files and search by keyword old postings in the group.For those of you who are members already and want to switch from single emails to digest or vice versa, visit www., click on , then on "edit my membership" and go down to your selection. The list administrator does not process

any requests, so this is a do-it-yourself easy process ! :)Thanks for joining. You will learn and share a lot in this group!NOTE: I moderate, approve or disapprove emails before they are posted. Please follow the guidelines shown in the homepage. I will not allow rudeness, sexually explicit material, attacks, and anyone who does not follow the rules. If you are not OK with this, please do not join the group. Forward this email to anyone who may benefit from this information! Thanks!In Health, Vergel (PoWeRTX@...)List Founder and Moderator

[Guest guest]

Could you explain why the wait due to a line of cars was an issue when you crossed the border on foot? I'm going to see Dr. C. soon and want to get into Tijuana and out of there with the least amount of hassle.From: Vergel <nelsonvergel@...>Subject: Re: Re:Update on Fillers"jesse1234martinez" <outpost.arts@...>, Date: Sunday, November 8, 2009, 10:21 AM

I have also gone to both Tijuana and RioGoing to Tijuana is not a big deal. It is 20 min from San Diego. You drive a car, park it by the border (US side) in a secured parking area, cross the border by foot, and take a $3 taxi to Dr Casavante's office. Coming back to the US takes longer since there is usually a line of cars (I have waited 40 min). Regards, Vergelpowerusa dot orgFrom: jesse1234martinez <outpost.arts>@grou ps.comSent: Sun, November 8, 2009 6:58:09 AMSubject: Re:Update on Fillers

I've been to both Tijuana and Rio many times on vacations and trips. While there's no doubt that Rio de Janeiro is one of the most stunningly beautiful cities in the world and Tijuana is not, both have some safety issues. I don't much care for Tijuana-- a scrappy city where I've been hassled, begged, hawked and experienced many an attempted scam-- and feel much "safer" in Rio. I've wandered all over Rio by myself without any problem. JB is right that gang violence in Rio is confined to the favellas. There are no favellas anywhere near Dr. Serra's office. The linking neighborhoods of Copacabana (where Dr. Serra's office is located), Ipanema and Leblon are all totally safe, prime tourist spots, with parts that are extremely upscale and wealthy (Leblon is sort of like Beverly Hills), and no gangs in sight. Both Dr. Serra and Dr. Casavantes have nice offices-- nicer than my HIV doc in NYC. I agree with JB-- don't

choose your doctor based on poor travel information, but because you feel that doc is the best medical choice for you. Jess. >> "I have been to Dr. Casavantes office in Tijuana Mexico. The building is> very safe and his office is as clean as any good doc's office in the > US. I> have never been to Rio and would be very afraid of the gangs, etc, that> surround tourists on the streets. ( so I read). I live in San Diego > and no> longer go to Tijuana for fun because of the drug wars, but as long as > you are> not wandering around the city, alone. and get to a bad area, you will be> fine.. I dont know if that is the case in Rio. If I

had to go to > Tijuana

for> prescription meds,, etc, I would have no worries. "> > I've been to Rio many times. Like most cities in Latin America, it > requires street smarts.> > When you are in Copacabana or Ipanema, there are people who see you as > a mark for pickpocketing or minor scams. You do have to be careful > at night to avoid "bad" streets, and it's difficult to know which ones > are risky. There are areas of the city where I would not venture > alone, sort of like Los Angeles.> > I don't fear "roving drug gangs" and that kind of violence is confined > to the favelas, where you don't go, anyway.> > I suspect that for most people, going to Tijuana is a lot less > complicated and cheaper than going to Rio, but I would not make my > travel decisions based on poor information about

imagined dangers.> > JB>------------ --------- --------- ------Welcome to our group!If you received this email from someone who forwarded it to you and would like to join this group, send a blank email to -subscribe @groups. com and you will get an email with instructions to follow.You can chose to receive single emails or a daily digest (collection of emails). You can post pictures, images, attach files and search by keyword old postings in the group.For those of you who are members already and want to switch from single emails to digest or vice versa, visit www.groups. com, click on , then on "edit my membership" and go down

to your selection. The list administrator does not process

any requests, so this is a do-it-yourself easy process ! :)Thanks for joining. You will learn and share a lot in this group!NOTE: I moderate, approve or disapprove emails before they are posted. Please follow the guidelines shown in the homepage. I will not allow rudeness, sexually explicit material, attacks, and anyone who does not follow the rules. If you are not OK with this, please do not join the group. Forward this email to anyone who may benefit from this information! Thanks!In Health, Vergel (PoWeRTXaol (DOT) com)List Founder and Moderator

[Guest guest]

The border crossing between San Diego and Tijuana (TJ) is the largest in the US, if not the world. It connects a city of 3 million (SD) with one of 1.5 million (TJ officially, but possibly as much as twice that), with a great deal of trade between. There are 300,000 border crossings on a typical day.From the south flow drugs and illegal immigrants in great number, both of which our government wants to stop, so the the scrutiny is slow and careful. Just north of the border, I-5 and I-805 converge and turn into 18 lanes entering TJ. South of the border it turns into city streets, and the city is not well marked, so driving isn't really recommended unless you know exactly where you are going. Also, US car insurance doesn't cover Mexico so you have to stop north of the border and buy a one-day policy for around $20. Coming north again, there are

24 lanes, although they're not always all open. Each car has to stop and talk to the agent, and if there is any suspicion at all they will have you pull over to inspect your car. This used to happen only to dark skinned people but lately it's everyone. Take your passport - you don't need it to get into Mexico, but have to produce it to re-enter the US. Also the lanes swerve and have tank traps in them to keep drivers from rushing the border and getting lost in traffic, so driving across is very slow. Forty minutes is the wait at off-peak times, mid-day. At rush hour (which lasts for hours, 7 days a week) waits of 90 minutes or more are frequent. I have waited as much as 2.5 hours. This is all at the main crossing, which is called San Ysidro. There is a second crossing at Otay Mesa, where the waits are usually shorter, but it mainly serves the manufacturing district near the TJ airport. It is a long, confusing drive from downtown

TJ.By the way, while the drugs flow north, guns flow south from the US, and our government does nothing about it - and the Mexicans seem to be powerless to fight, so that fuels the drug gangs in Tijuana. Tijuana is not particularly unsafe unless you get caught in the cross fire of a drug/gang shooting, which usually doesn't happen in the main downtown districts - though it is a nightmare for the residents. However they are having extremely desperate economic times down there and tourism has dropped to nearly zero so you do need to watch you wallet and expect to be hassled a lot by beggars and be vendors of all sorts.So having said all that, TJ is safe for the average visitor, but a giant hassle to drive in and out of, and not a particular pleasant place to spend any time - and by the way automobile theft is a big problem, too. Much smarter to park your car at the border - or take the San Diego blue line

trolley to the border - and then walk across and grab a cab. Don't worry about pesos, everyone will gladly accept dollars. Don't be confused by signs with prices on them - they use the dollar sign to indicate pesos - that taco for $12 costs twelve pesos, not twelve dollars! Some prices are denominated in dollars and it will usually say Dlls. or US$ or something like that. The exchange rate is very roughly ten pesos to the dollar. If you do drive across the border and want to spend some time enjoying the food and beautiful scenery, drive further south to rito Beach and the lovely seaport of Ensenada.From: Vergel <nelsonvergel>Subject: Re: Re:Update on Fillers"jesse1234martinez" <outpost.arts>, @grou ps.comDate: Sunday, November 8, 2009, 10:21 AM

I have also gone to both Tijuana and RioGoing to Tijuana is not a big deal. It is 20 min from San Diego. You drive a car, park it by the border (US side) in a secured parking area, cross the border by foot, and take a $3 taxi to Dr Casavante's office. Coming back to the US takes longer since there is usually a line of cars (I have waited 40 min). Regards, Vergelpowerusa dot orgFrom: jesse1234martinez <outpost.arts>@grou ps.comSent: Sun, November 8, 2009 6:58:09 AMSubject: Re:Update on Fillers

I've been to both Tijuana and Rio many times on vacations and trips. While there's no doubt that Rio de Janeiro is one of the most stunningly beautiful cities in the world and Tijuana is not, both have some safety issues. I don't much care for Tijuana-- a scrappy city where I've been hassled, begged, hawked and experienced many an attempted scam-- and feel much "safer" in Rio. I've wandered all over Rio by myself without any problem. JB is right that gang violence in Rio is confined to the favellas. There are no favellas anywhere near Dr. Serra's office. The linking neighborhoods of Copacabana (where Dr. Serra's office is located), Ipanema and Leblon are all totally safe, prime tourist spots, with parts that are extremely upscale and wealthy (Leblon is sort of like Beverly Hills), and no gangs in sight. Both Dr. Serra and Dr. Casavantes have nice offices-- nicer than my HIV doc in NYC. I agree with JB-- don't

choose your doctor based on poor travel information, but because you feel that doc is the best medical choice for you. Jess. >> "I have been to Dr. Casavantes office in Tijuana Mexico. The building is> very safe and his office is as clean as any good doc's office in the > US. I> have never been to Rio and would be very afraid of the gangs, etc, that> surround tourists on the streets. ( so I read). I live in San Diego > and no> longer go to Tijuana for fun because of the drug wars, but as long as > you are> not wandering around the city, alone. and get to a bad area, you will be> fine.. I dont know if that is the case in Rio. If I

had to go to > Tijuana

for> prescription meds,, etc, I would have no worries. "> > I've been to Rio many times. Like most cities in Latin America, it > requires street smarts.> > When you are in Copacabana or Ipanema, there are people who see you as > a mark for pickpocketing or minor scams. You do have to be careful > at night to avoid "bad" streets, and it's difficult to know which ones > are risky. There are areas of the city where I would not venture > alone, sort of like Los Angeles.> > I don't fear "roving drug gangs" and that kind of violence is confined > to the favelas, where you don't go, anyway.> > I suspect that for most people, going to Tijuana is a lot less > complicated and cheaper than going to Rio, but I would not make my > travel decisions based on poor information about

imagined dangers.> > JB>------------ --------- --------- ------Welcome to our group!If you received this email from someone who forwarded it to you and would like to join this group, send a blank email to -subscribe @groups. com and you will get an email with instructions to follow.You can chose to receive single emails or a daily digest (collection of emails). You can post pictures, images, attach files and search by keyword old postings in the group.For those of you who are members already and want to switch from single emails to digest or vice versa, visit www.groups. com, click on , then on "edit my membership" and go down

to your selection. The list administrator does not process

any requests, so this is a do-it-yourself easy process ! :)Thanks for joining. You will learn and share a lot in this group!NOTE: I moderate, approve or disapprove emails before they are posted. Please follow the guidelines shown in the homepage. I will not allow rudeness, sexually explicit material, attacks, and anyone who does not follow the rules. If you are not OK with this, please do not join the group. Forward this email to anyone who may benefit from this information! Thanks!In Health, Vergel (PoWeRTXaol (DOT) com)List Founder and Moderator