Is Surgery really necessary ?

[keithokeplinger 0]

Hello Friends,

My K-1 visa petition was approved on January 9 and now my fiancee in Brazil is trying to meet all the requirements, particularly the physical exams.

She is doing everything the doctors tell her to do, but THIS sounds questionable to me:

A mastologist told her that they found some nodules, "the kind of nodules she found are very common for women that have never nursed, breast-fed or become pregnant." However, my fiancee was also told that she must show a "negative report" to the Consulate - that she would need to do a mammography, a puncture aspiration with needles, and a biopsy in order to obtain a "good report". My fiancee also writes that "The Doctor said that after those exams, she can write a report saying that I can travel without major problems."

This doesn't sound right to me. If such nodules are common and benign, is there really a problem and a need for major surgury? The doctors pronouncement almost sounds like blackmail.

Also, I would think we should be able to contact someone at the State Department or US Consulate in Brazil to see what the medical requirements actually are. Who, in authority, can I contact? Is something such as this a judgement call?

To undergo these procedures, especially if they are not needed, would be very unfortunate. And, as we know, medical procedures can sometimes produce problems of their own. My fiancee feels she has "no choice" but to accede to these procedure and she has her interview at the US Consulate in Rio scheduled for the 21st of this month. I hope someone can tell me that these medical procedures are not absolutely necessary. This is my feeling.

Any good advice (or similar experiences) would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Keith

[Ilovemyman 147]

If the surgery isnt necesary it is better dont do it.

Her interview is on 21 is very near today is 8.

If she goes to the medical with a surgery, that can be a litle problem for her.

If the nudules are common, then she soesnt need surgery but she can goes to another doctoc to get a second opinion.

[keithokeplinger 0]

I didn't see your name, but Thank You for the response - and best wishes to you.

[SofiaSkyLila 5]

Surgery for something non threatening is not a requirement. I think she should be OK. Could you ask an attorney or call the embassy?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Breast cancer is not a bar to immigrating to the US, so I am not sure what is going on. She doesn't have cancer anyway.

[Lynkali 163]

that she would need to do a mammography, a puncture aspiration with needles, and a biopsy in order to obtain a "good report".

You keep saying surgery, but the procedures you mention above usually don't involve any major surgery -- needle aspiration is usually just poking, and a biopsy can be done easily in an outpatient clinic while awake, no anesthesia necessary -- it rarely requires anything I would call "surgery" in a traditional hospital setting.

So to me, it sounds like her doctor is being cautious and telling her she needs to have the nodules TESTED -- which is not the same as telling her she has cancer and needs treatment. I think you should go ahead with the tests, they sound relatively non-invasive and normal to me. Then again I am in no way any form of doctor, so I cannot say for sure.

[keithokeplinger 0]

Thank you all for your responses!

First, in reply to Lynkali, you are right, I went too far in saying "surgery". (I know even less than you do about these procedures.)

And in reply to Harpa, I agree with you because I am sure that the US Consulate does not require these additional tests, but only the exams they specifically asked for. Perhaps the medical examiners were overreaching. Although, as a medical or personal matter, these tests may be desirable, I am convinced their results would have no bearing on the issuing of a visa.

ISSUE RESOLVED. THANKS!

Note: Glad this is resolved because the doctors couldn't schedule these procedures before my fiancee's interview and she was afraid she'd have to reschedule the interview.

Edited February 9, 2014 by keithokeplinger

[sharky-rex 76]

How did she end up seeing a mastologist? I don't think that's anywhere near being part of the standard exam.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

How did she end up seeing a mastologist? I don't think that's anywhere near being part of the standard exam.

A normal breast exam can be part of it. No need for a specialist.

[baron555 934]

Sounds like a scammer doctor to me.