Medical and surgery scars - breast reduction

[sweetswinks 400]

Hi there,

I am still waiting for my NOA2 but would like to prepare for some things during the wait.

I have surgery scars from a breast reduction for cosmetic reasons from 8 years ago. Will I need a letter from the surgeon who performed this to present the doctor conducting the medical for the visa?

If I cannot get the letter from the surgeon due to them not having the records as it expires after 7 years, is it possible to get a letter from my GP explaining these?

Thanks in advance!

[Shoot Em Straight 385]

Are you still taking the strong pain meds?

[sweetswinks 400]

I'm not sure what you mean. I am asking a legitimate question and a legitimate answer would be greatly appreciated as I am unfamiliar with what happens at a medical if you have surgery scars.

Are you still taking the strong pain meds?

[darin&josh 18]

I can't provide an answer based on my experience yet, as I am also in the process of preparing for my interview and the medical examination. But for what it's worth, I had a series of surgeries back in 2006/07, and plan to take my post-op surgeon reports that I have, and ask when I make the appointment if they would like me to bring any additional records.

The instructions say that you only need to bring your "passport(s), 3 recent photographs, and your vaccination records". However, the panel physician needs to establish your medical history, so any records you have that explain the surgery would be helpful. As with most stages of this process, I figure it is safer to lean on the side of providing too much information than not enough. If you plan to obtain records related to your surgery, I would first check with your GP from the time as they usually get a copy of your surgery report and you will get a quicker response than from the hospital.

Keep in mind that the main objective of the examination is to establish whether you have a current physical or mental disorder that either makes you ineligible for a visa or that "is significant enough to possibly interfere with the person's ability to care for himself or herself, or to attend school or work, or that may require extensive medical treatment or institutionalization in the future". So the physician will likely rely more on questions, the physical examination and blood tests to establish your current physical and mental condition.

Further information on the medical is available here: http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/panel/technical-instructions/panel-physicians/medical-history-physical-exam.html

[Shoot Em Straight 385]

No

[Nikki D 6]

Hi Sweetswinks,

For what it's worth, I'll be having my medical in two weeks and while I've read and reread countless times all the info and FAQs regarding the medical, I never saw anything in that information in which it said there would be an issue with the fact that a) my breasts are new, and b) I've got scars from my recent augmentation. The examining doctor will not be concerned with your past cosmetic surgery, but rather, by your imunity and the health of your lungs, blood and mind.

[flowershoes 2]

Hi there,

I'm missing two fingers and have had extensive surgery on my right hand. I was SO STRESSED that it would be an issue, or that I'd need some kind of backing docs but went in empty handed, since it was done many years ago. I alerted the doctor to this, he took a brief look at my hand, marvelled at the cleverness of surgeons these days and moved right on.

You won't need anything, the medical is a breeze

[Lainie B 465]

I'm not sure what you mean. I am asking a legitimate question and a legitimate answer would be greatly appreciated as I am unfamiliar with what happens at a medical if you have surgery scars.

The doctor WILL be concerned with scars, as scarring is one of the things that the doctor needs to report on. However the doctor is looking for signs of scarring from suicide attempts. If you have an explanation for your scars then you will be absolutely fine.

[darin&josh 18]

For what it's worth for anyone else that reads that this thread in the future, I had my medical on Monday (7/4/14) and the physician asked about past hospitalisations and surgeries, made a note of them based on my verbal explanations of them, and didn't need to see any records. During his examination he was interested mainly on whether it had resulted in any lasting physical impacts or impairments.

[Nikki D 6]

For what it's worth for anyone else that reads that this thread in the future, I had my medical on Monday (7/4/14) and the physician asked about past hospitalisations and surgeries, made a note of them based on my verbal explanations of them, and didn't need to see any records. During his examination he was interested mainly on whether it had resulted in any lasting physical impacts or impairments.

And further to this point, for people's piece of mind, I'd also like to add that during my medical (March 24), when the physician asked about past surgeries and I answered, "Yes... I've had implants," her response was, "Well done you for calling them implants!" and swiftly moved on. So no need to worry, silicone sisters!

[Rinni 3]

EDIT: Woops, wrong thread!

Edited April 15, 2014 by Rinni

[Al422 221]

Scars from successful past surgeries should not make any difference to the doctor. If he asks about a scar, just tell him what it was from, and that should be the end of it.

[Snag 57]

I have a deep scar on my leg from an Achilles tendon surgery back six years ago. The doctor didn't look twice at it, no questions were asked, and that's it, really. He was more concerned with vaccines, and getting my blood.

[sweetswinks 400]

Thanks everyone for your feedback! I will give an update here once I am at the medical stage, I am currently still waiting for my NOA2!

[Nikki D 6]

Good luck, fellow Pittsburgher-to-be! The whole process is easier than you think. :-)