What happens at the medical??

[Jessicacallum 14]

So this coming Monday I have my medical in London and I'm curious as to what happens? What will they do I suck with needles! Can I take a drink in with me to keep my sugar up, I know this is stupid but I honestly don't like doctors or hospitals at all. And just hate needles. Which is weird as I am covered in tattoos.

Do I have to dress smart or can I just wear normal clothes.

[2ndMessiah 184]

From memory I dressed for comfort and travel ( I had a flight, a train trip and had to walk).

Dress normally, whatever normal is these days.

I do not remember if I got any injections (my shots were all up to date) but I think they took blood.

Good Luck

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

So this coming Monday I have my medical in London and I'm curious as to what happens? What will they do I suck with needles! Can I take a drink in with me to keep my sugar up, I know this is stupid but I honestly don't like doctors or hospitals at all. And just hate needles. Which is weird as I am covered in tattoos.

Do I have to dress smart or can I just wear normal clothes.

This thread in the UK forum is where everybody writes up and discusses the medical exam. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/8321-london-medical-knightsbridge-doctors/

Since it was started in 2006, you probably want to start reading more recent experiences. Maybe jump in about here http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/8321-london-medical-knightsbridge-doctors/page-53

[Al422 221]

They take a blood test, but honestly the needle does not hurt. I have cancer and get a blood test every two weeks. I don't even feel the needle.

If your vaccinations are not up to US standards you will have to have that taken care of, either there or sometime prior to getting your green card here. Generally better to get it done there, first to get it over with, second because in the US you are looking at $$$. As for the needles, the ones they use nowadays for vaccionations are so small you dont feel anything.

So please dont worry.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Regarding the previous post-- in the UK it is better to get the vaccinations ahead of time at your GP for free on NHS. They charge for jabs at Knightsbridge clinic.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Also, it's not really like a hospital. It's more like a fusty old office with some GPs in it.

You can take whatever you want in - a drink or whatever is fine.

Best tip I got - take a little tote bag with you to stick your clothes in - you end up carrying a pile around with you between rooms (they put you in a robe for the xray and checkup - done in diff rooms), and that'll likely minimize the opportunity to lose your bra/shirt. Also a hairband if your hair is longer, to tie it back for the xray (which is done standing and takes seconds).

Edited December 16, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[missypatrick14 0]

I had my medical in London back in May,Just dress normally. They don't take blood tests unless you have certain medical conditions or are being testing for drug/alcohol abuse. They will ask you if you want certain vaccinations done if you haven't had them in the last 10 years... MMR and tetanus...if you decide NOT to have them done then when you apply for AOS after moving to the US you would have to have them done then and it would cost you more being in the U.S. They will check blood pressure,pulse rate,sight,hearing and take an xray of your chest,thats all! It's a simple check up and you are in there about 2hrs,it's more waiting than anything else. Nothing to worry about or syke yourself up about.

[lost_at_sea 995]

They don't take blood tests unless you have certain medical conditions or are being testing for drug/alcohol abuse.

They always do a blood draw. They're checking for syphilis. If you didn't get that test, you were likely a lucky oversight.

The tests they do are mentioned in the pdf: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/unitedkingdom/164203/cons-visa/iv018a_medical.pdf

[bettypentiér44 12]

Like what others have said, you'll be fine!

I went about 10 mins before my appointment time and was sat waiting for about 10 mins past the time - they give you some forms to fill in. I had to get my X-rays done first which was the easiest thing ever. They give you a thin robe to wear and ask you to take all your upper layers off (don;t worry - you're behind a screen and at no time does the person doing the X-ray see you naked). Then you stand next to this thing facing the wall where you have to rest your chin on a rest. The guy will ask you to take a deep breath in, hold it then exhale - and that's it! I ended up scrunching my shoulders when the X-ray was taken as it didn't come out clear on the picture, so make sure you relax. After that, you go and sit in another waiting room (still in the robe) and wait for the doctor. There were about 4 different ones that I saw walking around while I was there, but I got a blonde european lady. She barely smiled and wasn't the friendliest in terms of making conversation, but she was ok. She sat me down at her desk and asked questions. Can't remember all of them them, but some were about any existing conditions, if I smoke, drink or take drugs or if I ever have. Any operations etc. After that, I had to go behind the curtain near the bed and take everything else off except my panties and the robe. Then I had to sit on the bed and she came over and did the physical exam which, according to the checklist on the form I had filled in at the start, wasn't as thorough as it probably should have been. She checked eyes, ears, glands, throat, chest/respiratory. Then I had to lay down on the bed and she checked reflexes in knees, breasts, stomach and had a peek under the robe. Then I sat up and she took the blood test to check for syphilis and that was it. I got dressed and she told me to go wait in the 1st waiting room. I sat here for about 5 mins then got called through to see a nurse about my vaccinations. She gave me a sheet of what I had to get done and asked if I wanted them there (which I didn't as it's super expensive), then that was it. I paid and left.

I got my vaccinations done at my doctors surgery, so that saved a lot of money!

You'll be fine. It sounds scarier than it actually is and by the end you'll wonder what you were worried about. The place itself just looks like what used to be a terraced big house and isn't scary. It just looks stuffy and isn't much different inside!

Good luck - you'll be fine