Medical Exam Review: All is well. Thank God!

[AriPhiL 5]

Actually I have read a review here on VJ about this issue before. Sexual contact is not recommended before your medical in St Lukes, mainly because, your fiancee might be ovulating when you had sex. Doctors will take into consideration that your fiancee might be pregnant. There are certain required vaccines to be given that is contraindicated when one is pregnant. MMR will pose a threat to the unborn baby. This will be a big disadvantage on your part because the vaccines are included in the medical fee. It will be noted in your fiancee's file and your fiancee will have to get those vaccines in the US and you will have pay again..

ya. that makes sense. thanks for bringing this up. on the pre vaccination notice it actually states there

"Pregnancy or possibility of pregnancy is an absolute contraindication to the administration of the said vaccines. Vaccinations anytime during pregnancy may result in your fetus/baby having major deformities. It is therefore advised that you abstain from any activity resulting to possible pregnancy"

"women of childbearing age who were given MMR and Varicella are advised to avoid getting pregnant within 4 weeks (28days) after immunization"

[AriPhiL 5]

However, with regards to the MMR, in my case, i was still advised to have another shot after 2 months.. so.. if that's the case, maybe i will just use contraceptive to avoid getting pregnant. coz it says avoid getting pregnant within 4 weeks after the MMR immunization and then after 2 months i will have another shot..then avoid getting pregnant again within 4 weeks after the immunization..

[Memphis 26]

However, with regards to the MMR, in my case, i was still advised to have another shot after 2 months.. so.. if that's the case, maybe i will just use contraceptive to avoid getting pregnant. coz it says avoid getting pregnant within 4 weeks after the MMR immunization and then after 2 months i will have another shot..then avoid getting pregnant again within 4 weeks after the immunization..

When I completed my MMR shots & anti-cervical cancer vaccines last year my OB-GYNE told me not to get pregnant at least 6 months after. Better to be safe than sorry..

thanks! bring a gadget or a toy for your child.to divert his/her attention.. during my medical exam,there were many family immigrants who where there who has a child and esp on 2nd floor, you would be hearing some babies or children crying even at the releasing... and i had seen some children who got scared when they heard someone cried after the immunization..also the waiting time is long . if u have a k2 , for the releasing, ur records will be released separately.. u will be called separately..

We are under IR1 & IR2.. Last month I bought a tablet for my 2-yr-old child w/ lots of games installed in preparation for our travel in Manila for our medical in SLEC as suggested by most VJ members.. Glad that you included a map in your review showing Casa Bocobo, because that is where we will be staying for 4 nights mid-July.. I just confirmed our reservations 2 weeks ago- is it safe to just walk to SLEC from Casa Bocobo?

I understand that food and drinks are not allowed there,but, just like you I also do not want my child to drink water from their drinking fountains. Can I sneak in a bottle or two of mineral water-just in case we get thirsty? Is the security personnel that strict in checking your belongings?

If only SLEC would also prioritize applicants w/ minor children along-side the senior citizens just like in USEmbassy, it would be much appreciated and a little easier for me (though I have w/ me my younger sister to help out)..

[Hank_ 9,174]

Congratulations and thanks so much for the very detailed review. Its much appreciated, and will help the rest of us who will hopefully going through that medical process soon.They didn't mind you taking pictures inside the hospital/medical facility there? I guess cameras are allowed in there, just not the Embassy for the Interview. Am I allowed to go in St. Lukes and sit with my lovely Fiancee Gina while she takes her medical tests? In your review you said the Doctor asked you "Did you had sex since your last menstruation?" Just curious....how does that affect the medical exam? Should you refrain from having sex a few days or weeks just prior to the exam? Once again Congrats, and thanks!

Nope you will not be allowed in SLEC.

As for sex, my standard advice is:

St. Luke's:

(GUYS if you are in the Phils with your Fiancee before the medical NO "personal" contact until AFTER St. Luke's is completed - as in KEEP IT IN YOUR PANTS)

http://www.slec.ph/us-visa-applicants.shtml#required-docs

Have copies of passport bio page, copy of NVC letter when MNL# is assigned (I added this as SLEC has been asking for this letter or a letter from the embassy that lists the assigned MNL #) confirmation page from scheduling interview online at embassy (or if the embassy mails a confirmation letter bring a copy of that) (NVC Instructions Letter is for IR/CR-1 visa), and of course the 2X2 photos. (copy of annulment is asked for at times)

PREREGISTER at St. Luke's website, it saves time when you arrive. http://www.slec.ph/us/registration/

Information from the embassy about the medical: http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3218.html

Edited June 9, 2013 by Hank_

[AriPhiL 5]

Glad that you included a map in your review showing Casa Bocobo, because that is where we will be staying for 4 nights mid-July.. I just confirmed our reservations 2 weeks ago- is it safe to just walk to SLEC from Casa Bocobo?

-yes, it's safe. the "karenderias" and other stores are actually on the left side of the Bocobo st. if u are walking from casa bocobo or from U.N. Ave..people there don't seems to bother those who are walking..some people even slept in their pedicaps or what we call kuliglig or trike..the only people who will bother u are those asking u if u have 2x2 already.lol. but ofcourse u still need to keep an eye of the people around u to be safe..Bocobo st. is not wide... and SLEC is not that far..i walked from Taft Ave. at NBI... and it isn't really far.. Casa Bocobo is closer to St. Lukes than NBI

I understand that food and drinks are not allowed there,but, just like you I also do not want my child to drink water from their drinking fountains. Can I sneak in a bottle or two of mineral water-just in case we get thirsty?

-during my 2 days medical, i had been seeing people with bottles of mineral water.. it's fine.. ya there are drinking fountains but.. u know.. lol. so since i didn't bring a bottle of water with me, i actually got thirsty but still i dont want to drink in those fountains.. also bring some candies or chocolate for sugar rush.. and eat a lot before going there.. the waiting time is much longer than being with the doctors/nurses and clerks..

Is the security personnel that strict in checking your belongings?

-no. during my medical, the guard didn't check my bag.lol. there were people bringing backpacks with them.. strollers for babies...it was ok. they might check but would still allow u to get inside.. as long as there is no bomb inside the bag.lol. they have a k9 dog stationed at the entrance btw..

If only SLEC would also prioritize applicants w/ minor children along-side the senior citizens just like in USEmbassy, it would be much appreciated and a little easier for me (though I have w/ me my younger sister to help out)..

yes. but seems like there is no priority lane at SLEC.. they even have a postage there saying something like, there is no first come first serve in releasing the results... something like that.. u will see this postage i think at the ground floor.. so that's y i didn't really bother to go there at the dawn coz i know that this also happens.. i had seen some elderly too.. and they've really waited.. there was this husband and wife/fiance with a baby.. with the stroller and everything.. the guy waited at 2nd floor's waiting area and his baby was crying sooo hard.. and ive observed the faces of the childrens who were there and ive seen on their faces that they seems to be frightened.. it took a long time for his girl to come out from the immunization room...same at the ground floor..ive seen a girl probably like 4y.o and was crying so hard bec of her immunization..i felt so bad for her..

[Memphis 26]

Ok thanks again for the tips.. I plan to be there around 8am on a Wednesday.. Good luck!

[Dustin and Janen 86]

Great review. When is your interview and CFO. We are looking forward to those reviews too

You guys a very lucky. Fast USCIS approval and NVC too! I recommend buying lotto tickets haha. We applied over a month before you and still waiting for I129F. Fun, fun, fun. But, on the bright side we are learning a lot from your detailed reviews!

[AriPhiL 5]

Great review. When is your interview and CFO. We are looking forward to those reviews too

You guys a very lucky. Fast USCIS approval and NVC too! I recommend buying lotto tickets haha. We applied over a month before you and still waiting for I129F. Fun, fun, fun. But, on the bright side we are learning a lot from your detailed reviews!

Hello Dustin and Janen. Thanks!

yes, we were lucky that our front-loaded I-129F got approved sooner than what we expected after receiving some negative comments about it. lol

I might go to CFO by end of this month... our interview will be on July.. we just had this medical done bec i was so worried about it.lol

I hope Vt starts to move faster so that u will get the NOA2 already.

Edited June 9, 2013 by AriPhiL

[Memphis 26]

Me too, I'm looking forward to read your USEmbassy review soon! So I will have an idea on what to expect (I plan on staying at Bayview hotel for the interview).. Please do keep us posted on your progress..

[AriPhiL 5]

5 weeks from now and it's our interview. we are still preparing for the CFO. I hope CFO will be nice to me and to others.. waaaaaaaaaa

I also planned to make a detailed review as much as possible for CFO and the embassy soon! Salamat guys!

[Tahoma 2,292]

1. Bring a bottle of water and a snack in the bottom of your purse. Manong guard won't check too closely.

2. It's cold in there. Bring a sweater or a light jacket.

3. Wear comfortable shoes so you can easily use the stairs. The stairs are faster than the elevator.

4. Bring a ball pen.

5. No sex before the medical. There are vaccinations which are contraindicated for pregnancy. If there's any chance that you may be pregnant, St. Lukes will ask you to return after your next period to complete the vaccinations.

6. Don't count on accompanying your sweetheart into St. Lukes.

Good luck to everyone!

[Robb&Ann 101]

1. Bring a bottle of water and a snack in the bottom of your purse. Manong guard won't check too closely.

- true. but don't expose your snack when u are going to eat it. i seriously didn't see anyone who were eating but i've seen a lot with mineral water and candy/chocolate (this is also to bribe the little ones when crying after the immunization.aww)..during my medical exam, i also noticed a security guard that was stationed on some floors like 2nd and 5th...sometimes, they are roaming around.. or are just there to assist esp if there are many people around

2. It's cold in there. Bring a sweater or a light jacket.

- also true. esp on the ground floor, the temp was from light to VERY COLD .... made me want to sleep that time.5th floor at P.E. waiting area was also cold. the other floors are just fine.

3. Wear comfortable shoes so you can easily use the stairs. The stairs are faster than the elevator.

- this is what i also wanted to include. i was wearing my sneakers during my medical and i was really comfortable in going up and down. that's why i said i liked using the stairs. you will only need to remove your shoes for the height and weight and P.E. this will also help to not feel cold on some floors

4. Bring a ball pen.- this is also true. a fellow k1 who don't have a pen, borrowed from me. so instead of her being the first in line for the immunization interview, i went ahead of her. there are forms that needs to be filled out while waiting like the chest xray and classification worksheet (2 copies), the informed consent for the immunization (we signed this at the reception area but the receptionist didn't hand us a pen so a fellow k1 just borrowed from me) , other reception area and clerks or nurses has a pen though but it is still better to have one so that u won't need to borrow

5. No sex before the medical. There are vaccinations which are contraindicated for pregnancy. If there's any chance that you may be pregnant, St. Lukes will ask you to return after your next period to complete the vaccinations. - true. i should also include this in the review.. it's better to be safe than sorry.

6. Don't count on accompanying your sweetheart into St. Lukes.

- ya.. this just really depends.. when i was at St. Lukes, i suddenly missed my fiance and made me feel i need him to comfort me esp after getting 4 vaccines but we didn't took the chance in having him around.. or else he will end up waiting for me in some foodchains around..the others can try but if not allowed to go inside, maybe they can go back to the hotel or stay in food chains or restos near St. Lukes.

Good luck to everyone!

Good luck guys! It feels good after getting done with the medical.. once it's done we can now focus more for the next steps..

Edited June 11, 2013 by Robb&Ann

[Dustin and Janen 86]

Ann when will the medical review be back up? I wanted to read over it again and I see its gone I have a good feeling NVC will get our case soon so I think she will do medical next week.

Do you have a PDF of the review that you could share?

[Hank_ 9,174]

Procedure is pretty straight forward.

St. Luke's:

(GUYS if you are in the Phils with your Fiancee before the medical NO "personal" contact until AFTER St. Luke's is completed - as in KEEP IT IN YOUR PANTS)

http://www.slec.ph/us-visa-applicants.shtml#required-docs

Have copies of passport bio page, copy of NVC letter when MNL# is assigned (I added this as SLEC has been asking for this letter or a letter from the embassy that lists the assigned MNL #) confirmation page from scheduling interview online at embassy (or if the embassy mails a confirmation letter bring a copy of that) (NVC Instructions Letter is for IR/CR-1 visa), and of course the 2X2 photos. (copy of annulment is asked for and a psychological evaluation could be required if psychological incapacity is listed as the reason in the annulment)

PREREGISTER at St. Luke's website, it saves time when you arrive. http://www.slec.ph/us/registration/

Information from the embassy about the medical: http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3218.html

The medical is normally a two day process, shots are given on the 2nd day.

~TB sputum notes; If you have to do the culture test, keep close track of the visa validity date (when you receive as it is tied to the initial medical date, so you will be short of the 6 months, you may only have 90 to 120 days before the visa expires.

~TB treatement notes; If you have to do the 6 months of treatment you will have to pay for a second medical at completion.

[Dustin and Janen 86]

Thanks Hank. I got all that down and we are ready.

But I really like her review with the times and pictures. While my fiancée was at CFO I had her review open so I had an idea of what she was doing right then and what the place she was at was like. I hope it will be back up soon.