Medical Exam - Dr Seiden in Toronto

[canadianwife 0]

Just a quick recap of what went down today.. if anyone reads this that was in the waiting room with me.. "Hello!"

Arrived at Dr Seidens office (in "Health Centre" building, South side of Front St E, just East of Lower Jarvis) at 720am. Checked in with receptionist - she wanted the FIRST TWO PAGES of my interview appointment letter only. She asked me if I had a cough, fever, or travelled outside of Canada within the last month, I answered "no" and was instructed to wash my hands with Purell.

She then led me to the waiting room which was PACKED. TIP - Get there for before 7am to line up, otherwise you will wait a long time like I did I sat for over 90 mins before my name was called. The anger was rising, but I didn't feel AS bad when I started listening in on people's conversations. One couple had flown in from Florida, another from California.. I'm local so I should be thankful I didn't have to fly in for this.

After the first 90 mins waiting period, I was brought out of the waiting room, down the hall and into the "Registration Room." The lady was quite chipper and nice - I had everything ready 1) PASSPORT 2) Three Passport Photos 3) Vaccination Records 4) Money Order of $275. She punched some things into the computer and had me sign a consent form for the exam. This lasted about 5-10mins, on to XRAYS!

The registration lady brought me to the "XRAY" waiting area, sat there only 5 minutes or so before the X-Ray Technician came out. I was brought into the X Ray room, put behind a curtain and told to "get naked" from the waist up. I had 1 chest X-Ray taken, was told to keep my paper gown from that exam, and went back to the waiting room with the other folks.

Waited another 30 minutes, was then called to get my blood work done. 1 vial of blood was taken, really quick and relatively painless. Back to the waiting room...

Waited another 30 minutes, brought into the physical examination room where I sat for another 5 minutes. A nurse, probably close to my age (23) came in and asked me to sign another form indicating I was aware this medical exam does not replace my regular physical. She then measured my height, recorded my weight, and took my blood pressure. After that she left, I sat another 10 minutes before an administrative lady popped her head in, told me to get naked and into the paper gown I'd be hauling around. I sat waiting for the doctor for about 5 minutes before he came in.

He sat down at his desk, looked over my immunization records , asked me some questions, "Are you a drug user, do you abuse alcohol etc." After that he looked in my mouth, made me say "ahhh," busted out the stethoscope & checked out my lungs. He then asked me to lay down on the table, he cut open my gown to listen to my stomach making sure my lady bits never showed, what a gentleman. He then said , "Nice to meet you! The nurse will be in to check your breasts and then you're finished!"

The same nurse that took my height/weight/blood pressure came in, cut open my gown in the right areas and did my breast exam. If you've never had a breast exam, she basically just feels up on your boobs and underarms to make sure there aren't lumps. Not a big deal. She took a peak at my #######... didn't REALLY look at it, which was weird. Are they checking to make sure I'm not really a man? If anyone is scared or nervous about the "genital exam," don't be, they really don't spend more than 0.02 seconds staring at your bits.

That was it for me, after I got dressed I went to the front desk , told them I would come back in 2 days to pick up my results and I was on my way to work.

All in all it took about 2.5 hours - I don't have any parking advise as I work in the city and just walked over from the train. However I can say this: GET THERE EARLY. The entire process doesn't really take that long, however if there are people ahead of you each "station" (if you will) gets clogged up and something that should only take 45-60 mins will take up to 3 hrs.

[ashenflowers 5]

Thanks for the great info

I'm in London, which is about 2 hours away from Toronto, so I've been debating on the best way/time to accomplish this medical with the least cost and least time off work. Knowing at least how the process goes cuts down on the stress significantly!

[OBX 51]

Great review Most of us that have had their medical in Toronto would agree that getting there early is the key! I arrived at 6:40 a.m and was second in line. I was out just after 8 a.m.

[tbaygrrl 2]

LOL, looks like we had our medical the same day.

I agree, get there early. I arrived at 645 and there were 4 people ahead of me already. Surprisingly, they did start seeing folks before 7am. I had a similar experience too, though I am over 3 months pregnant, so no x-ray or "genital" exam.

The doctor did all the same checks except he did listen to my heart, and I had my fundal height measured (height of uterus from pelvic bone), but the breast exam to me was different then ones I had before, it just felt like she was poking me.

Overall a very quiet, low stress environment. Just make sure to bring something to read while you are waiting.

[carslo 0]

In Vancouver, I arrived early before 6 am actually and I had 2 vials of blood drawn not 1.

Good luck with the rest of your journey.

Janet

[RYCK 0]

maybe it was because it was winter i dont know ... because of schedualing to get to Toronto i arrived at 6:15 and there was allready a couiple poeople in the waiting room .. i tapped on the door and the receptionist came out and let me in .... but the place got full in a hurry. Glad i got there so early cause i was out fairly quick too

[canadianwife 0]

LOL, looks like we had our medical the same day.

I agree, get there early. I arrived at 645 and there were 4 people ahead of me already. Surprisingly, they did start seeing folks before 7am. I had a similar experience too, though I am over 3 months pregnant, so no x-ray or "genital" exam.

The doctor did all the same checks except he did listen to my heart, and I had my fundal height measured (height of uterus from pelvic bone), but the breast exam to me was different then ones I had before, it just felt like she was poking me.

Overall a very quiet, low stress environment. Just make sure to bring something to read while you are waiting.

You were? Wow! What time did you leave? I was the redhead next to the German ladies, if you remember

[Ron/Sharon 0]

Damn, I was there too, bald, beard, glasses and cane, I was the one with the X-Ray folder and ever present Pepsi. I think I was wearing my blue cap with Wichita and a tornado on the front. I left Ottawa and 00:30 and arrived in TO at about 06:00 and walked from the buss station and stopped for breakfast at MacDonald a few steps from the doctor office and was there a few minutes past 07:00. I do remember the two “German” woman with the baby, the man with his son and a couple sitting together, if everyone wasn’t changing chairs every time they had to go out I would probably remember who everyone was by where they sat.

That being my second medical, the last one was done 2 years ago in Ottawa at the Riverside Hospital. This last one did not compare, I was prepared to be sitting and filling out a 4 page background questionnaire as the first time but that never happened. The medical in Ottawa was complete from top to bottom and everything in between, I don't believe this time I got my money's worth and it was more expensive this time around. I did the two vials of blood, did the x-ray thing twice. Everything went well until the very end. Doctor Malcolm wanted more information for my family doctors regarding mental health and addictions to be faxed to TO. The 20 minutes it would take to get and send the information turned into 14 days as the day I dropped off the request my doctor have to leave, her father had just passed and she to go south for the funeral. I did call the Seiden Centre and they now have the information and I should be hearing from them regarding any further information required or whether they are sending me what I need to continue the process.

Best wishes to everyone, hope your trip through USCIS ends on a positive note.

Ron

[Sprailenes 47]

underarms to make sure there aren't lumps. Not a big deal. She took a peak at my #######... didn't REALLY look at it, which was weird. Are they checking to make sure I'm not really a man?

Jill and I were talking about this last saturday!

No one peaked at my bits!!! I feel so left out!!

[JillA 2]

underarms to make sure there aren't lumps. Not a big deal. She took a peak at my #######... didn't REALLY look at it, which was weird. Are they checking to make sure I'm not really a man?

Jill and I were talking about this last saturday!

No one peaked at my bits!!! I feel so left out!!

OMG yes we were! They peeked under my gown too, I think they want to make sure you're not a man dressing up as a woman trying to immigrate to be with a same sex partner? I dunno I'm just guessing here LOL

[Krikit 1,164]

Damn, I was there too, bald, beard, glasses and cane, I was the one with the X-Ray folder and ever present Pepsi.

Ron! Does this mean you're making headway again?

[Ron/Sharon 0]

Damn, I was there too, bald, beard, glasses and cane, I was the one with the X-Ray folder and ever present Pepsi.

Ron! Does this mean you're making headway again?

Yes some, we had a change of plans again, We are much closer to the end timewise but still feel the last sting from Montreal and now anticipating some other glitch. The last three years have taken thier toll on us.

[Krikit 1,164]

Yes some, we had a change of plans again, We are much closer to the end timewise but still feel the last sting from Montreal and now anticipating some other glitch. The last three years have taken thier toll on us.

I just KNOW that things are going to go well for you this time. Good to see you back online again.