[Pollyanna]

Hi,

I've been told by immigration NZ that my visa application has been deferred for 3 months 'while you undergo treatment to reduce your weight/BMI'. The trouble is that no-one has told me what level of weight of weight loss is expected of me and our case officer says that no target weight has been set. At the minute my BMI is 39 and if I were to get it to 35 then this would require an 11kg weight loss in 12 weeks, which is not impossible but will be hard work.

Has anyone has any experience with this? Am I right to assume that it's under 35 or nothing or do the medical assesors really apply discretion if they think I'm making an effort?

Any advice very gratefully received :confused:

[dilanium]

I'm not sure the answer to your questions, but 1kg/week is about the top for healthy weight loss. So at least they're not expecting you to do dangerous weight loss.

Good luck!

[catt]

Pollyanna google "Lighter Life" its expensive £66 a week but it may give you what you need and once you get what you want then you can go to the usual weight watchers/slimming world kinda thing. Its not easy but it does work.........good luck

[JandM]

Good luck.

[Anina]

Good luck with the weight management!!

[renew]

there was an excellent article in Emigrate New Zealand Newspaper a while ago - around when this made the news previously. I cant find it at the moment but from memory you can ask for a reaasessment, dont take the first response of the doctor. You can also try to obtain a waiver.

cheers

Ian

OK found the link
http://www.emigrate2.co.uk/visas_and_advice_detail-91.htm

[ellenmelon]

pollyanna...you have the right to ask. its only fair you have the full picture of what you need to lose you know? good luck. :)

[randomone]

Pollyanna google "Lighter Life" its expensive £66 a week but it may give you what you need and once you get what you want then you can go to the usual weight watchers/slimming world kinda thing. Its not easy but it does work.........good luck

I have personal experience of this if you would like to pm me with any quesitons

[Pollyanna]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. I've asked my case officer if they would speak to the medical assessor to ask what the target is and she will only say that no target has been set. We're getting contratictory respones as to what's expected in terms of weight loss. She told me that I should do it 'by whatever means necessary', which doesn't exactly suggest a healthy weight loss plan but then she backtracked on that when my husband spoke to her. The only thing that we can get from her is that 'it will be judged on what you can achieve within the 3 months on a healthy weight loss plan'.

it's not the weight loss itself that's the hard part, I know that I can do that, it's trying to do that with no reasonable idea of what's expected in 12 weeks that's hard. My new employers in NZ have to base their decision on whether to keep my job offer open on the basis of whether they think I can do what I've been asked and I can't give them an answer. It's all very frustrating.

Thanks Catt and Randomone for the Lighter Life info, my doctor has advised me not to do that as she thinks that it would mess up the liver function tests (and possibly the cholesterol, but not 100% sure about that) thst I'll have to submit at the end of the three months.

[Pollyanna]

Ian,

Thanks for your message. We've already challenged the medical assessors decision. When the medical was first assessed I was told that I didn't meet the acceptable standard of health so we submitted reports from my GP that disagreed with that asessment and because of that I've been given this deferment. We wanted to apply for a waiver now as I'm not sure how long my potential employer will hold the job offer open for but have been told that we can't do that at this stage, we have to wait until the end of the three months and see what happens first.

[kags1694]

Hi,

I've been told by immigration NZ that my visa application has been deferred for 3 months 'while you undergo treatment to reduce your weight/BMI'. The trouble is that no-one has told me what level of weight of weight loss is expected of me and our case officer says that no target weight has been set. At the minute my BMI is 39 and if I were to get it to 35 then this would require an 11kg weight loss in 12 weeks, which is not impossible but will be hard work.

Has anyone has any experience with this? Am I right to assume that it's under 35 or nothing or do the medical assesors really apply discretion if they think I'm making an effort?

Any advice very gratefully received :confused:

Hope you dont mind me asking, how are you getting on?

We submitted our ITA early March, my oh is the main person on application,
but my BMI is higher than yours.

We have just got back from New Zealand a recci, and oh has a job offer.

Regards
Karen

[Pollyanna]

It's a nightmare!!!!

The weight loss is the relatively easy part, I'm losing about 1kg a week doing WW. The doctor has said that she'll prescribe orlistat to hlep with the weight loss but I've had to have blood tests for that and I'll only know next week if I can have it.

The main problem is that my new employers can only hold the job offer open for another couple of months so if I don't get an answer very soon after we submit the new report then it may all be irrelevant.

We can only cross our fingers and hope!

Were your cholesterol and glucose tests within 'normal' range? PM me if you want to have a chat about this off board.

Pollyanna :confused:

[kags1694]

It's a nightmare!!!!

The weight loss is the relatively easy part, I'm losing about 1kg a week doing WW. The doctor has said that she'll prescribe orlistat to hlep with the weight loss but I've had to have blood tests for that and I'll only know next week if I can have it.

The main problem is that my new employers can only hold the job offer open for another couple of months so if I don't get an answer very soon after we submit the new report then it may all be irrelevant.

We can only cross our fingers and hope!

Were your cholesterol and glucose tests within 'normal' range? PM me if you want to have a chat about this off board.

Pollyanna :confused:

Hi Pollyanna,

Unable to PM no contact details.

Regards
Karen

[Pollyanna]

Hi Pollyanna,

Unable to PM no contact details.

Regards
Karen

I've added my e-mail address to my profile.

[JandM]

Polyanna, you've only just done 5 posts - you wouldn't be able to send and receive PMs till then, but all should now be well.

[Genie]

Pollyana, I'm really sorry to hear how this is for you. It sounds so frustrating for you.

I would also like to thank you for sharing your experience as I didn't know this could happen. I've been away and checked my BMI (scary) and am now on a serious diet. So although this is a really difficult time for you, and it's great to hear the weight is coming off, I would like to say thank you to you.

Jeannie

[Pollyanna]

It's exceptionally frustrating but I'm determined to do it! They're not getting rid of me that easily :laugh

[Genie]

You go girl! That's the spirit

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

I agree with Genie..Go for it...I wish you all the best...My husband worried himself sick about his BMI and then found out it was 25 when he had his medical...We are still awaiting his Blood Test and Chest x-ray results...He had his Medical on 2nd April, so we hope to hear back from the Doctor today or tomorrow.

Suzanne.

[Genie]

Hi Pollyanna

How are things for you? I'm really worried that as I am diabetic and my BMI is way over the limit for the medical I may be responsible for my family not being able to emigrate.:(

I hope you are doing great with your diet and will get through the process with flying colours :yes

Keep going gal:)

[Pollyanna]

Hi,

Diet is progressing, I've lost another 7kg and my BMI is now just under 37.5. I've got another 4 weeks to go before I submit my report so i'm going to go for a more extreme diet for the last 4 weeks to maximise weight loss. The doctor gave me orlistat but it made no difference to the amount of weight I was losing so I stopped taking it.

One thing I would recommend though is Wii fit! Excerise is fun!
:raebanana

[JayBee]

Just wanted to say well done and keep going!!! The exercise on the Wii will definately help burn calories.:yes

[kanatakiwi]

well done Pollyanna.!! I would say you are nearly there. or maybe you are there. There was someone else on the forum who had a BMI of 50 and was told to get it down to under 40. I know the form says under 35 but you are very close so think you will now sail through the second assessment.

and by the way.. what is Wii fit. ?

[slider]

well done Pollyanna.!! I would say you are nearly there. or maybe you are there. There was someone else on the forum who had a BMI of 50 and was told to get it down to under 40. I know the form says under 35 but you are very close so think you will now sail through the second assessment.

and by the way.. what is Wii fit. ?

Wii fit is an interactive video game made by Nintendo. There are other, similar sporting games in the range. Check out the link below.

http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/games/wii/wii_fit_2841.html

[Leanne]

Good job Pollyanna...keep up the good work! :)

[Pollyanna]

Hi,

Thanks for all the support! I wouldn't say I'm there yet, I'm going to keep on going till the very last minute, as my cholesterol and glucose are on the borderline for the cutoff points (but not high enough to require medication) so I need to maximise the weight loss so they can't say no becasue of these other things!

Wii fit is an interactive fitness thingy from Nintendo. You get a plastic board with sensors in it which can track your movement and the game has lots of exercises -aerobic exercises like step, hula hooping, jogging, boxing; yoga; balance exercises like skiing; muscle exercises and some other categories that I can't remember. It's excellent for people (like me) who hate going to the gym - I'm trying to do 1/2 an hour of aerobic exercises every day and some of the other ones as well. I'd definitely recommend it if you already have a wii.

Best wishes,

Pollyanna :exit

[mazzie]

Congratulations Pollyana, you are doing great.

I too have a BMI of 39 and my medical has just been sent to the medical assessor for assessment. I am hoping they won't defer me, but upon reading what you have had to go through then they just might. Do you mind if I ask you please, have you had to do your medicals and police clearances again? How long did it take before you got an answer back from INZ after they sent it to the MA? Sorry for the questions, I have loads more, but I'm going crazy here waiting.

Thanks so much for any help you can give me.

:cheers

Mazzie

[Pollyanna]

Hi Mazzie,

we don't have to resubmit any other docmentation - the application is treated as frozen and all they want from us is an updated medical. If you think that they might refuse/defer you then it might be worth starting to lose a bit of weight to show willing. I don't know whether they will defer you, especially if all your blood tests come back ok.

I think it takes about 2 weeks to hear back from the medical assessor - the assessors are quite quick at turning around reports but the information is only sent to them from London and returned once a week so that's what casues the holdup.

Good luck with your application!

[mazzie]

Hi Pollyanna

Thanks for your reply and for explaining that. I have not been deferred....yet. The MA has asked for a report from my GP stating my weight, waist circumference and BMI again. This is only 5 weeks after I had my Immigration medical. I am pleased to say that in those 5 weeks I have lost 3 kgs, my waist has gone down 8 centimeters and my BMI has dropped to 37.2. My GP has also said that I have lost a total of 12 kgs since I started at a slimming club and that they thought it very likely that I would continue to lose weight. I am now awaiting the MA's assessment once more on this new GP report and our case worker at INZ said that we should have a reply within the next 2 weeks. We are keeping everything crossed here for a good outcome.

:cheers

Mazzie

[adkck]

Hello Pollyanna,

My husband and I just bought the Wii and the Wii Fit too! The Wii Fit came out in the United States last Wednesday and it is a lot of fun!! My hubby has to lose weight too before his medicals and we are hoping this will help. I am so proud of him, for keeping up and checking in every morning!

I wish you all the best. :):nice1

[Pollyanna]

I've been to see my doc and have submitted my shiny, sparkly new medical. BMI is down to 36 and I am offically as healthy as the proverbial 'not a burden on the NZ health system' ox so now I can only wait and hope it's good enough.

Has anyone got any chocolate going spare :laugh

:exit

[Genie]

Well done you!! Thats great news, hope it goes allright for you after this trying time. Sorry no chocolate, not unless you count chocolate flavour slimfast :no

[Mels]

Yes well done. That is certainly some determinated weight loss. Good luck

Mels

[dusk]

best of luck :D and well done!

[andrewp]

Awesome news. Well done - an inspiration to all of us battling the BMI monster...

[Jo Jo]

Well done, and congratulations.

[macuser]

Congratulations, what an achievement.

I had to get my BMI down 4 points to get under the magic number for the medical, so I know how hard it can be.

Well Done!

Helen

[dilanium]

Fantastic News!!!! Congratulations!

[JandM]

Well done!

[mazzie]

I've been to see my doc and have submitted my shiny, sparkly new medical. BMI is down to 36 and I am offically as healthy as the proverbial 'not a burden on the NZ health system' ox so now I can only wait and hope it's good enough.

Has anyone got any chocolate going spare :laugh

:exit

CONGRATULATIONS :clap Pollyana

You can stop worrying now, because I am sure everything will be fine for you. Just to let you know that I heard today from INZ and the MA has passed me with a BMI of 37.2. We leave 2 weeks today, so maybe we will see you out there.

Good Luck with everything and you have done an amazing job.

Mazzie

[victoria24]

you should be very proud of yourself. have a curly wurly its only 2 1/2 points on weight watchers!

[JayBee]

Well done - that's an amazing achievement. All the best.

[slider]

Pollyanna, Mazzie - Well done to both of you :clap:clap
With the sort of determination you've shown in recent weeks you'll crack this New Zealand emigration lark, no problem.

[mazzie]

Pollyanna, Mazzie - Well done to both of you :clap:clap
With the sort of determination you've shown in recent weeks you'll crack this New Zealand emigration lark, no problem.

Well here's a big thank you from me Slider, but this is Pollyana's thread so I am not saying anything else until I hear from her saying she's going too and I reckon that will be pretty soon.

Mazzie :clap

[Mels]

Well done Mazzie. :cheers:cheers :raebanana:raebanana

Leaving in two weeks hey, you lucky thing. Good luck for the journey.

Mels

[castleclan]

Congratulations.You have done a great job. Anyone seen my will power on their travels?

[Leanne]

Way to go Pollyanna!!! :clap

[WellyBrit]

I've been to see my doc and have submitted my shiny, sparkly new medical. BMI is down to 36 and I am offically as healthy as the proverbial 'not a burden on the NZ health system' ox so now I can only wait and hope it's good enough.

Has anyone got any chocolate going spare :laugh

:exit

Awesome news! I have my fingers crossed for you. :raebanana

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

Well done....Congratulations.




Suzanne.

[theSingsons]

Good on yah!

I too have a similar problem... our Medical Reports are now enroute to the MA... I was classified as Obese Class 2 on the Asian index... I told my GP... common... i don't even look Asian... At least she was kind enough to put it on the remarks section the I was borderline with a 31 score... I hope that when the MA sees that, they'll see that I'm like 196cm tall with a 105 waistline! And that I don't look Asian at all...

But I have been going on a no pork diet and doing lots of walking so the end result is that I've been trimming down those flabby spare tires.

3 weeks till the results come back! ewwww so jittery!

[Pollyanna]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all your good wishes, we can only cross our fingers and wait! We're hoping to find out this week and we're trying not to think about it in case they do still say no.

Mazzie, that is excellent news. Well done! Lots of frenetic packing ahead for you. I hopet he move goes well and that we'll be on our way soon.

[Pollyanna]

Have visa, I'm so excited I think I might wee myself :raebanana

[JandM]

Well, that's nice!:laugh

:raebanana:clap:raebanana anyway!

[slider]

Have visa, I'm so excited I think I might wee myself :raebanana


Probably more information than we require :eek::laugh
Congratulations on the visa. You've worked hard for it. :raebanana

[dilanium]

congrats!!!!

[Mels]

Fantastic news, nana time again :raebanana:raebanana:raebanana

Mels

[TrentBridge]

Well done, you've worked really hard for this - congratulations :raebanana:raebanana

[andrewp]

Have visa, I'm so excited ...

Wow, awesome. Well deserved.

:raebanana:raebanana:raebanana

[Leanne]

Great news!! :clap

[Kate D]

Well done - all that fantastic effort you made was worth it now! :raebanana:raebanana

[dusk]

congratulations! :raebanana

[catt]

I am so happy for you well done you deserve all these and more :clap:raebanana:clap:raebanana

[Pollyanna]

Just thought I'd say hello. We've been in Dunedin for three weeks now, and all is going swimmingly! Hope you're all fine and dandy.

:cheers

[dusk]

aww, that's great - glad to hear good news from you :D