Medical Review - Dr. Lyndon Mascarenhas

[Exocet 88]

I had my medical yesterday (Sept 4, 2014) so I thought I would give everyone a review of the experience.

My dad and I were leaving from Oshawa, so we took the Go Train to Union, then took the Yonge subway up to St. Clair station.. then walked a few blocks to the office. We arrived over an hour early for the appointment, but it didn't seem to matter. There were lots of other people there waiting for their medical. Most seemed to be people immigrating to Canada.

At the reception desk, she asked me where I was immigrating to, to which I said the US. She then handed me two forms to fill out. The pink one was for their office use, and had spots for name, DOB, address, etc. The second form appeared to be the actual form the doctor filled out for US immigration. I had to put my name, passport number, MTL number, and a few other things on there. It took me about 5 minutes to fill everything out, and then I handed it back to the receptionist. At that point she wanted my passport and passport photo. She made a copy of the info page in my passport, and paperclipped the photo to the form. She told me to take a seat.

She called me up a few minutes later because I forgot to put my postal code on the pink form. I remembered at that point that she hadn't taken my interview notice, so I asked her if she wanted it. She said no. After filling out the rest of my address, I sat down. I probably only waited 15-20 mins before the doctor called me into his office.

He thanked me profusely for choosing his office (he saw I was from Alberta). He asked me if I was in good health, and I said that I thought so. He verified my age, and then asked me if I had any medical conditions. I said yes, and then listed my conditions and associated medications. He wrote them down on the form. He then assured me that none of that mattered for immigration, as the US has a private health care system. He then asked my height and weight and wrote them down. He then looked at my immunization records, and ticked off boxes on the form. I told him that I saw the public health nurse in Alberta to make sure I was up to date on my immunizations, and he thanked me for doing that. He then explained to me that I would need to get a Tuberculosis xray and blood work for syphilis and presented the requisition forms to me (at this office the xray and blood test are all done in the same building). He then looked at what date my interview was, and then since it's next week he put "urgent" on the pink form and told me that they would rush my results so that they would be ready for my interview. He then told me that when I pick up the packet, not to open the brown sealed envelope. He then asked for the $300, which I gave him in twenties, and he just slipped it into his drawer without counting it. He gave me a receipt for the payment, shook my hand, and showed me the door after putting the requisition forms in my hands. I was in his office for probably 5 minutes.

I walked down the hall, and went into the Xray suite. They took my interview letter and passport. I had to sign on the sheet to verify that I wasn't pregnant. They just wrote down information, and then had me take a seat. I waited for about 5 minutes, and then they took me in. I had to take off my shirt and bra, put on a paper gown, and then they took one xray. I waited for 2 seconds while she made sure it was good, and then I got dressed and headed on over to the blood lab. I waited for about 10 minutes there, then they called me in, took one vial of blood, and that was it. I was done!

So all in all it was extremely easy. I had stressed and stressed about the medical because I thought it would be more invasive and scrutinous. I got two letters from my doctor explaining my conditions and medication, and the doctor didn't even want to see it. He didn't do any sort of examination at all.. I was under the impression a doctor would listen to my heart, lungs, take my BP, do a genital check, etc... but he just talked to me and filled out a form. All in all it was really easy! The only awful part of the day was that it was really hot and humid in Toronto, and I sure got sweaty.

I would certainly recommend going to his office because of the ease of the medical. It was very relaxed, and non-invasive.

[JplusL 0]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I am fortunate enough to live within a 15 minute walking distance from this doctor so hoping I have no issues seeing him.

Congrats on getting closer to approval!

[Cunuck waiting 7]

I also had my interview yesterday; I must have just missed you.

Yes, it was super easy. The entire process took 1 hour from the medical, x-ray and one vile of blood.

The waiting room was a little dirty but his office and both labs were fine.

I did pay the extra $50 to have the package couriered to my house. Although the office was within driving distance, the time off of work, gas, traffic and parking fee made this the easiest solution. He said I should have it within a week.

FYI: the doctor in Vaughn was not taking appointments due to illness, so I would book my medical with Mascarenhas if you are in a rush.

Good luck everyone!

[Karebear 13]

Thanks so much. I was planning on using him. How many pictures did they take?

[FiveFootMo 0]

Yay Oshawa! Also from Oshawa but now living in Florida

[NikLR 13,220]

What made you choose this doctor vs going to Medisys in Montreal?

[Exocet 88]

Yay Oshawa! Also from Oshawa but now living in Florida

Yeah I'm from Oshawa, but live in Alberta now... and will be moving to Florida! Ocala area

What made you choose this doctor vs going to Medisys in Montreal?

I live in Alberta... so it was tough for me to choose the doctor. I was contemplating Montreal, but didn't want to pay all the hotel fees. Plus, my parents live in Oshawa.. so I get to stay with them and eat all their food I ended up choosing Mascarenhas because I had read from a previous review that everything was done in the same building (exam, xray, bloodwork), which sounded just ducky. My brother lives in TO too, so I got to meet up with him for lunch... so that all sealed the deal for me. Oh yeah, and I had tried calling the doctor in Scarborough, but couldn't get through. Mascarenhas' office got back to me via email in 2 minutes. That was nice too!

Thanks so much. I was planning on using him. How many pictures did they take?

They only took 1 passport photo. The others that require more than one seem to be because they do the xray and bloodwork elsewhere.

[NikLR 13,220]

Yeah I'm from Oshawa, but live in Alberta now... and will be moving to Florida! Ocala area

I live in Alberta... so it was tough for me to choose the doctor. I was contemplating Montreal, but didn't want to pay all the hotel fees. Plus, my parents live in Oshawa.. so I get to stay with them and eat all their food I ended up choosing Mascarenhas because I had read from a previous review that everything was done in the same building (exam, xray, bloodwork), which sounded just ducky. My brother lives in TO too, so I got to meet up with him for lunch... so that all sealed the deal for me. Oh yeah, and I had tried calling the doctor in Scarborough, but couldn't get through. Mascarenhas' office got back to me via email in 2 minutes. That was nice too!

They only took 1 passport photo. The others that require more than one seem to be because they do the xray and bloodwork elsewhere.

Free place to stay is awesome! Staying a week in Montreal was about as expensive as flying there twice so I don't blame you. My mom was originally supposed to come with me and then backed out to go on a cruise. My kid wasn't able to come either because my mom backed out and she had no one to look after her while I did the medical or interview. It's wonderful you could visit with family and friends before going! I moved to Colorado from Alberta.

Medisys requires 3 photos, they staple each to the Dr, X-ray, and blood work sections but all 3 things (dr, blood work, x-ray) are in the same area (same floor of the same building.. you don't even leave the travel clinic section.)

Edited September 8, 2014 by NLR

[Karebear 13]

They only took 1 passport photo. The others that require more than one seem to be because they do the xray and bloodwork elsewhere.

Awesome. That makes sense. Thanks

[LSL 3]

I also went to this doctor and had the same experience as Exocet above. He did measure my BP though, but it was pretty quick and he was nice. I went to pick up my envelope.

I was able to book the appointment quite promptly and everything was done quickly.

I did also call the doc in Vaughan since he is closer to me but I was informed he will be back on Sept 9 and it takes 10 business days to get results, so it wouldn't have worked for me anyways.

[bmc 7]

Thank you for your review! I also booked with Dr. Lyndon. I'm glad that you can pay to have the envelope shipped - I'm in the Niagara region and really didn't want to drive all the way to Toronto a second time to have to pick it up. Did they only take cash for that payment as well?

[LSL 3]

Yes, they only take cash. The secretary told me no cheque no credit card.

[Cunuck waiting 7]

Yes, they take cash only.

I did get my package in 4 business days; however, the courier rang the door bell and left it on my door. No "door knocker" letter to pick up at the local office just a ring and bolt. I didn't even have time to answer the doorbell before the delivery truck took off!

NOOOOT pleased considered I paid extra for the service and it is such a private and personal document. Not impressed.

[ChristinaG 91]

Thanks for the info I've got quite awhile to go before I'm at this stage... but I wonder if they'd accept a money order? I will have to book medicals for myself and my two daughters, and pay to have the results sent to me (don't want to go back to Toronto ) and I don't feel comfortable carrying that much cash on me!!