Medical

[Am07 0]

Is there a possibility of failing your medical because you are Obese?

[Saylin 1,605]

Is there a possibility of failing your medical because you are Obese?

I highly doubt it. I've only heard of failing medicals due to having highly contagious diseases and previous use of illegal substances. As long as you don't have any diseases due to obesity, it should be fine.

[HeatDeath 430]

Clinically diagnosed morbid obesity might get listed as a Class B medical condition [as Type II Diabetes is] in your medical results, in and of itself, but Class B medical conditions will not, in themselves, cause you to fail the medical or the interview, unless they are significantly likely, combined with your circumstances, to cause you to become a public charge in the US. The "public-charge" angle is what the consular officer will be trying to evaluate, and that's what you'll need to prove to the CO - that your medical conditions, if any, will not result in you becoming a public charge in the US.

My diabetes caused the consular officer doing the interview to be curious and slightly concerned about what kind of access to medical care I would have between when I entered the US and when I got my EAD and a job, since my USC wife was unemployed and uninsured herself at the time. But the consular officer admitted they couldn't deny me just for that, especially given that my general health was very good and that I had a significant stock of medication and testing supplies I was bringing with me.

Your goal at the interview, assuming it even gets mentioned, will be to convince the CO that your health is and will remain stable enough to ensure that you are in no danger of becoming a public charge - that you will have the support mechanisms [access to medical care via a spouse's insurance or private funds, necessary medications and supplies brought with you when you move down, etc.] to deal with any reasonably likely minor health crises, and that any serious health crisis is in fact very unlikely. If you can convince the CO of this, you will overcome any concerns they may have, and should have no problem getting approved.

Edited July 13, 2011 by HeatDeath