I took the train from Leeds to London, which took 2 hours and 20 min to arrive at Kings Cross. From there with the tube to Bond Street to go to the photo place to get 4 US passport photographs taken. That took only 15 min and I was off to Bentinck Mansion, which is only a short walk from there.

The receptionist was very friendly and asked me for my papers and passport. I was asked to sit in the waiting room where I had to fill out some papers (nearly the same I had already filled in beforehand) and I had to sign something about the HIV-Aids test.
After only 5 minutes wait a female Dr. called me to follow her into her room. When I saw her I thought that can only be Dr. Cronje the one I've read about on the VJ site. The sign on her desk with her name on it confirmed that she was indeed the 'famous' Doc. I got asked to undress (except for my underwear) behind the screen and put the dressing gown on which was lying on the examining table. I got measured and weighed and then I had to lie down. She listened to my heart and lungs, felt my tummy, my glands and checked my boobies. Then she lifted my panties up for only a split second. I think they only want to check if you are really a girl or a boy. I didn't even get my blood pressure measured, but I wasn't the one to tell her that she had forgotten something. She took some blood and then she told me to put my trousers and shoes back on and I should wait in the next room. She didn't say a lot during the examination so I assume she didn't find anything wrong. This all took less then 20 min.

I didn't have to wait long when the vaccinations nurse (I think Caroline was her name) called me into her room. There we went through my vaccination records. The dilemma was that I only needed a Mumps shot, but they don't have this as a separate vaccination. So I needed the MMR shot. She told me I could go to my GP and Fax her the records. I asked her about the MMR shot because I've heard some negative things about it. She was very happy to talk to me about it and I decided to have it right there. The shot was painless which I think was down to her for making me feel at ease.

From there I went straight into the radiation chamber. The guy there is the funniest guy I have met in a while and he made having a chest X-ray fun. The good thing is you can keep your gown on during X-ray.

All in all, my visit to Bentinck Mansion took 40 min and I was £235 lighter afterwards. They all were very professional and pleasant and the vaccinations nurse was the nicest person in there. She even wished me good luck when I left.

When I got out I immediately called my boyfriend in the States. He was very relieved that it was over. I had another few hours to spend in London before my train was leaving. At the end I was very glad to be back in Yorkshire where I could see some green meadows and sheep after the loud city London is.


UJ (too long apart from her DJ)

Good to know what I can expect.

I guess I will have to go way down to London for the medical as well? I don't mind going to London for the Interview... but a long way to travel for me for a brief medical!

This might be a totally stupid question, but what on earth are they looking for down your pants?

Are they looking for a nest of something? There can't be much you can tell from just having a very quick once over of someone's privates. And more to the point I don't like the idea of having it done one little bit.

Anyone care to enlighten me?

I'm glad your medical went well

I can only assume it is to confirm gender and check for obvious signs of serious STDs. I am glad it was the hubby and not me who had to go through it!

One thing I keep meaning to ask... Do they ask for an up to date smear test? And do they actually have access to your medical records? I had a few abnormal smears a while back, but they have been normal for some time now. I'm wondering if they will know that already?

I had my medical on Tuesday and as I'm one for small talk I ended up having a conversation with the doctor about precisely this. It is indeed to check your gender; apparently they have had cases in the past of visa applicants pretending to possess that which nature did not provide them. I would imagine Margot is also right in that they are on the outlook for visible STDs such as genital warts which would more than be apparent from a quick once over of the privates. All in all, it's nothing to unduly worry about; unless, of course, you really do have a nest down there.

No, they don't ask for an up to date smear test. They will ask you if you have been in hospital before - for any reason. I was in hospital when i was 6 years old to had my tonsils removed and she was keen to put this on the sheet.

UJ

Thats sooo cool your medical went well, at least you didnt get the moany guy!

I assumed that the birth cert + passport would have been enough to determine gender.

No, the US government must see for itself that you don't have too much or too little hiding in your pants!!

heres pics of what the place looks like also

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=90487