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STRESSING OVER MEDICALS BECAUSE OF WEIGHT


Marilise

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Yes, I know this topic has now been discussed sooooo many times. I have read every single post and still I cannot get my finger on the answer, i.e. is anyone out there that was obese when they went for the medicals and was still granted their visas?

I feel like I am going to implode with anticipation over this dreaded medical, so if anyone would want to share their experience with me (pm me if you do not want to make it public) I will so greatly appreciated it. I am sure I am not the only one worrying about this. It will be so not AYOBA if I have to pay R70 000 for the visa just to be told I am to fat for Australia!

On attachment 4 of the panel dr instructions document it says the following:


A grade if BMI 16–40.


B grade if BMI<16 kg/m². Consider clinical reasons, for example, TB, cancer, malnutrition.


A grade if BMI>30 kg/m² and there is no evidence of complications.


B grade and refer to physician if complications of obesity are known or suspected. Report to address nature and severity of complications, treatment needs, and fitness for travel and stay in Australia.

I have high blood pressure (on tablets and in normal limits for the past 2 years) and hypothyroidism (uncomplicated) over and above my high BMI. So I will be graded B? But that is all that is wrong with me, still active and even going to gym.

Please share with me so that I can put my mind at ease.

Thanks

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Hi Marilise,

I've asked the same Q's as you. and no replies. Also stressing about it. I'm type 2 diabetic, struggeling to lose weight. And I feel the same, paying all this money and then being rejected because of weight will not be funny.

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I'm not altogether sure at all - but am trying to be as helpful as possible on the forum, having gotten my visa and done this, so can share the bits I've learnt along the way.

What I can suggest as an option perhaps, is to organise your medicals first, before your fork out the Visa application fee. That way you only pay for the medicals and can get a good idea from the start. The doctor doing the exam will be able to tell you right then and there if your results are good, average, bad etc and that will give you a good idea of where you stand. Then you can apply for the Visa after that with a bit more confidence.

You can organise your medicals through eMedical (eHealth / Health Services, whatever they're called... I can't remember exactly off hand now!) if you are applying for a visa and expect to receive it within 6 months (the expiration date of the medical).

The best person to offer advise would be the panel physicians who do these on a regular basis, because they've seen it all and know the system well.

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Thanks Jasper - That sounds like a very good suggestion! Did not know you can do that, will phone the Hatmed rooms now and find out how to go about.

@RitaE - I will let you know what they say.

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as far as I know you can only het the HAP number from the system once you have paid for the visa.

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I did a bit of reading and Jasper is right. You can do your medicals before you have lodged the visa. You will not get your results UNTIL you have lodged, paid and have case officer. BUT I think the dr will be able to give you a good indication on whether he thinks you will be successful or not, obviously no guarantees.

I am now tired of stressing about this, and is going to hand this worry to God and let Him take care of this for me.

Will post on this thread if I have any more news or information to share on this matter.

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Hi guys,

Can you actually be declined a visa / PR if you are overweight?

What exactly is the criteria?

I would be interested to know.

Regards,

Robbie

Founds this:

Being overweight

Being overweight in itself does not necessarily mean you will

not meet the health requirement. If you are assessed as being

obese, some exploration of related medical conditions (which

can exist or be emerging) will be made. These include diabetes,

heart disease (including hypertension) and arthritis. Such

conditions may mean that you are assessed as not meeting the

health requirement.

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As far as I am aware it is more an issue of the cost of your healthcare to the Australian system. So if you are overweight but healthy probably no problem if you are morbidly obese and cannot move without assistance then probably a big issue. Controlled blood pressure etc should be fine - the medicals sound worse than they actually are.

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From what I read in the first post, am I correct in assuming that as long as your BMI is under 40 and you have no health problems you should be ok?

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Something that has been on mind too...

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The issue is really how much you are likely to cost the Australian government/tax payer...

You can have just about any health problem including being overweight...

I stand to be corrected but i think the rule is if your known health issue is likely to cost them more than AU$30 000 within 5 years after you are granted a visa then they will reject your application.

in other words they want people who will contribute to their society rather than those that are going to end up being a cost...hence looking for skilled people...

Edited by gordonza
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Hi guys

Gordonza has it closest to what I believe is so.

BTW, the Dr that does your meds is not allowed to discuss any migration implications with you and can actually be stopped from doing migration medicals if he does not adhere to the rules.

He is only allowed to discuss any health issues he might come across in his examination of you, he cannot say if he thinks you will pass the medical or not, so I wouldn't recommend going for meds to early as your initial entry daye for validation is based on whichever expires first, your meds or p.c.

I have a friend that is very, very large, he passed the medical as he has no related conditions that could cause significant cost to Australia/taxpayers.

I have another friend who passed the medical a few years ( and the all clear) from Hodgkins lymphoma, and my own BIL passed the medicals with type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol.

Your BMI may cause you to have a B grade, which would mean that you would have to get specialist reports to state that you had no significant health issues as a result of your weight.

Quite recently there was a case of someone being denied entry to NZ through being overweight, but I don't believe that is the case in Australia. This has been discussed by other members with the same concerns over the years, but I have not personally known anyone to be denied a visa because of this.

If you had a significant heart condition or other illness that would require ongoing and costly treatment ( much in the region mentioned above) then there would be an issue, or the need to sign a health waiver, where you would agree to pay all costs ( you would need to look into it though as I have not looked in a while), however, if you are overweight and have managed conditions, then it is usually O.K.

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@Andrea and Gordonza thanks for your feedback, it has helped to put my mind at ease. My medication only costs R75 per month and is in control. I did phone the panel dr and they said to pro actively bring a letter from my GP stating my conditions and confirming that I have no other conditions as a result of my weight. Maybe this will be sufficient to not get a referral, but that will be up to the CO assigned to my case.

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Thnx for all the input.

Feel a bit better. Will also get a letter from my GP. and then just se how it goes. I'm also not the main applicant. My Husband is.



Thnx for all the input. also feel a bit better now. will get a GP letter aswell. and then just see how it goes.

Thanks again.

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To CO is not a doctor so no matter what the GP says it won't help. The letter would go with the referral to the panel. All the medicals doctor will do is go through the form complete the details/checks and fill in his observations. That gets sent on and then if you have breached certain thresholds it is referred.

Remember they not asking for an opinion if you okay they have a number of criteria that either you meet or you don't. If you don't then there own medical doctors will decide.

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Thanks for the input from everyone. I have a BMI around 40 but I am fit and healthy and passed my physical at work without breaking a sweat, so lets hope its all ok.

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I also have a high BMI. On it's own it won't be an issue, unless you have other risk factors.

That said, I have never had a "normal" BMI, and wouldn't be described as fat (at least not to my face). The doc who did my medical was more concerned whether or not I used steroids :glare:

There was a report in the news recently about a Saffer in NZ who was about to be sent "home" due to weight issues, but was allowed to stay after he appealed, I believe. He has been disallowed access to public health benefits though.

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The Saffer you referring to has been issued a 23 month work visa (a 24 month work visa entitles you to public health) He's also been told that this is the last visa he will be granted and if he fails the medical the next time he applies he will be refused a visa. This guy has rolled over 3 work visa's so he's looking for trouble. In 23 months time he will have slipped through another age cut, so he's got to get his house in order pretty quick.

He was issued a work permit in NZ when he first arrived, which has a lowr health requirement, but when he applied for PR he had to pass the higher test, but didn't. This meant his visa was refused and his work visa expired, which meant his employer could carry on with his employment. That meant he was visaless and jobless. The case really highlights the risks of emigrating to NZ on a work permit.

Even in NZ a high BMI (they use 35) is not a reason in it's own right, but triggers a review (this guy had dodgy knees) which may result in refusal.

One of the things I've noticed between Saffers moving to NZ vs. those moving to Australia is the reported criminality of some South Africans in NZ. NZ has more saffers per head of population and it is significantly easier to get into, albeit with higher risks, so the saffer concentration in NZ has to be taken into account. But Saffers in NZ have been charged with murder, pedophilia, underage sex, assault, use of a false passport and carrying a weapon are all cases I've seen reported, but don't see in reported in Australia. (note the word reported) There is also a pretty constant stream of Saffers in NZ in the news because they cannot convert their work permits to PR and are appealing to the minister.

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...

Just heard that my medicals was submitted B graded (BMI 40, hypertension and hypothyroidism) Does this mean I will be a definitive referral? Bloodpressure was normal during the examination and thyroidism non-complicated. I have my heart set on activating me PR on my 40th birthday which is the 18th of Jan, and if referred this will not happen. Deep breath Marilise...........

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B grade usually gets referred. My BMI is just under 40 and I had no problem. They seem to be pushing through grants very quickly. We got our CO on the Friday and had the grant on Monday. Best of luck.

Edited by AlBrough
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