[alis]

Hi all,

I am a bit overwight , BMI 35.8. For this, I did some fasting sugar and lipid tests. all were OK. I sent medicals to NZIS last month. It took 5 weeks to them to return and ask for furthur docs :wah . They asked me to undergo repeat liver function test, Hepatit C and Liver Ultra sound scan. I did them. No hepatit C positive indication, just in my scan there is indication that my liver is a bit fatty :uhoh . Dr. says it is because of my body fat and can simply be recured by taking some medication and sport :confused: .

Any body here with similar experience? any body knows what I should expect from NZIS ? do they ask for medical treatment and repeat full medical again in this case or they might reject me :wah or might approve my application ?

Any help is highly appreciated .

[Lupin]

I don't know Alis, but I'm submitting my application soon with normal fasting lipids and glucose and a higher BMI than yours so this doesn't make for good reading :(

Although I suspect they'll just fuss some and put you through the emotional wringer and then it'll be fine. Fingers are crossed for you.

[mossum]

Hi guys

I have to say - just try to take it as it comes - I know,I know - easy to say when its all over - but I wish so much that I'd listened to good advice & not got as stressed . I spent the 5 months before my medicals reducing my BMI from 36 down to 30 - diet ,gym ,diet, gym & then diet a bit more !!! - so I avoided any extra stress/fees .

I'm pretty sure all will be fine - NZ has a bit of a cheek IMO the ammount of seriously overweight people there ( im talking huge here ) , but I do understand that they are trying not to burden public health any more than it already is .

So to recap - Ive told you absolutely nothing useful !

vic xx

[coopers]

hi everyone, the story so far..was offered a job in Christchurch back in Nov 05, since then we have been going through the process of trying to get PR.
The medicals are holding us up big time...both my wife and I had higher than we should BMI's, but not by much so had to do the extra bloods...mine showed I had too high a gamma reading ( too much NZ wine in the past!!)
The consultant told us to keep off the booze for 4 weeks and do another test with the GP. It took 7 weeks for them to get back to us regards the medicals..and they asked for more tests. We submitted the results we had taken with the GP.....weeks later they get back to us....they need it from a professional body not us...so again we have submitted...our GP is baffled as she considers us in good shape...but here we are waiting again!! Total time to date spent on the medicals...12 weeks...and counting!!!!
To anyone looking to apply...make sure your BMI is below 35..mine was 35.4...and look at the result!!! At this rate I will not have a job as understandably my prospective employers are not happy people.
Does anyone know of a magic way to speed them up as at the moment nothing I say helps.

[willsken]

So sorry to hear of all the problems you're all having. When the doc did my BMI and muttered "just" to me I didn't take much notice, now I realise I was very lucky indeed. :uhoh

Hope it all turns out ok for you. :yes

[mossum]

hi nicola ,

LOL @ your medical doc ..... did he go to the same charm school as mine ????

Mine took the measurement around my middle & gleefully said - " you're over !!!!! " it was 31 inches - I said "no I'm not its 32 !!! " & we had a "discussion" about it - after witch he went to check & then agreed with me . I really do think they'd all be delighted for the need for extra tests & more £££££ !

vic xx

[zxof]

hi,

i cant help but i have the similar situation, submitted my ITA with medicals last march(SGPT level a bit high), they replied immediately asking for liver ultra sound scan report.

I submitted the report (fatty liver) within a week, but still havent heard anything from them.

[alis]

Hi ZXOF,

I did all requested tests and post the results yesterday. Again , SGPT high, but no Hepatit C (Thanks god), Ultra sound says mildly fatty liver. I searched through net for FATTY LIVER. Results made me a bit hopefull: it is not series and will resolve with low fat diet. I have also reduced my BMI to 34.1 since last tests so Asked the panel doc to mentione this as well. I hope to receive the results sooner than you, cause I have a job offer starting June 1st. I am sure my employer would not be happy to stay waiting longer. Finger crossed for all cute fatty , high BMI members.

[K&CS]

Thank god I was pregnant when I did my medical, so they couldn't calculate my BMI. I refused to look when I got on the scales, but the dr did let out her breath when she saw how heavy I was... Sorry, nothing useful to add, but big sympathies. For what's it's worth, I have a medical condition, and, apart from needing a letter from my consultant, nobody batted an eyelid. I think the worst that can happen is you could get delayed slightly - I'm pretty sure you won't be declined.

Kate

[zxof]

yours should be faster :) my application is without job offer

[Simon & Emily]

There were a number of threads about this a few months ago, along with other medical problems. Sorry, but cannot remember who was talking about it. If you do a search they should come up. They do not seem overly worried about high BMI's as they normally just want to make sure that it's not masking some other undetected nastie, which I know is not very re-assuring to you at the moment. The doctors do all seem to take an eternity to get the results though - you're not alone there.

Gopod luck with whatever to do,

Emily

[coopers]

Hi..I read your meesage with interest because I am now going to see a specialist...doc thinks fatty liver is the cause of higher Gamma levels...any news yet from NZIS?

[alis]

I am waiting yet to hear of them. I went to specialist last week, he prescribed me GEMFIBROZIL and URSOBIL capsules for one month . Told me it is not serious and a common problem in cities and western countries, but should try to loos weight in order to prevent long term problems.

[mark & Heather]

I think we were lucky...we had our medicals a year ago before the new regulations, all we did was get weighed and have your reactions and eyetests etc.
Good luck to you :yes

[Gary & Helen]

HI, Has anyone had any experience with having anotheir liver function test, due to booze not high bmi . been off the booze for three weeks next week re test!! its holding up our application. Anybody had to do a retest forthe same reason!!
GARY & HELEN

[coopers]

Hi...yes been through this although came after a high BMI, keeping off the booze lowers all the levels in the results, what I would say though is that if your levels are still high, dont bother doing a number of further test as I did...go straight to a specialist and get them to write a report...because after months of waiting that is what they eventually asked for! I kept off the booze for 12 weeks...to be then told I had a midly fatty liver which was the cause of the elevated readings. My BMI was over the limit by 0.4.
Hope that helps and good luck!

[boojazi]

Hi Alis, i am wondering whats happening now with your medicals. Mine was sent to NZ during the first week of June and I havent heard from them yet. (My GGT is elevated and needs to be assessed). The waiting is killing me. Internal mails only comes in on Fridays meaning if i didnt get it on friday i have to wait another friday.

Would love to hear your success in this thing.

[alis]

Hi Boojazi,

I have the same nightmare in fridays eves. So far, 7 of those passed and I have not heared a word of my lazy immigration officer. I was on a low calory, low fat diet during last 8 weeks, reducing my BMI from 35.5 to 32.8. Also having 2*400 mg Vitamin E each day. It worked well and liver tetst are normal now. I sent them my latest results yesterday and god knows how many extra killing fridays I need to spend unteil they return to me and ask for more Blood tests !!!!

[alan999]

Hi...yes been through this although came after a high BMI, keeping off the booze lowers all the levels in the results, what I would say though is that if your levels are still high, dont bother doing a number of further test as I did...go straight to a specialist and get them to write a report...because after months of waiting that is what they eventually asked for! I kept off the booze for 12 weeks...to be then told I had a midly fatty liver which was the cause of the elevated readings. My BMI was over the limit by 0.4.
Hope that helps and good luck!

I can't find any "official" info, but if we're over bmi35 then there are a lot more tests? What extra tests are there?

[marcia]

If you run off a copy of the medical form theres a list of 'extra' blood tests on there! Not sure which apply to what but it may be a starting point. :)

[Lupin]

If you look carefully through the medical form at the point at which it asks the Dr to record your BMI, it details which extra blood tests needed if over 35. I arranged all mine to be done before the medical with my GP so that on the day of the medical I had everything and he gave me my medical completed there and then.



ETA: Here it is: (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/DE431E92-0ADE-4B5F-81F9-18DF08E5B2EA/0/1007Aug16.pdf) Page 7, section D asks BMI.
Then page 13 section H instructions "Fasting glucose and fasting lipids are required if indicated by BMI,
waist circumference or blood pressure (at questions D2 and D5)."

[alan999]

Thanks, just had a look. Anyone any suggestions how to grow 5" taller in a few weeks?

[marcia]

platform shoes!!!!!!!!!!!! :laugh

[alis]

Just wanted to update you regarding my situation:

I have reduced my BMI down to 32.9 and by that plus vitamin E therapy, my liver tests are returned back to normal. I sent NZIS a copy of my latest blood test 10 days ago ,but I have not yet received any answer. I assume they should have received clearance, otherwise they do not hesitate to update me about bad news. I will keep you informed.

[zardell]

Just wanted to update you regarding my situation:

I have reduced my BMI down to 32.9 and by that plus vitamin E therapy, my liver tests are returned back to normal. I sent NZIS a copy of my latest blood test 10 days ago ,but I have not yet received any answer. I assume they should have received clearance, otherwise they do not hesitate to update me about bad news. I will keep you informed.


Well done on the BMI.

We were asked to send further details relating to a health matter too and were told that we should hear within 2 weeks of NZIS receiving them.

It actually took 3 weeks before we heard back from them, but we weren't too bothered when we found that their reply came in the form of a letter stating that we had been granted PR !!

I know that playing the waiting game is a real ball-ache, but just try to grin and bear it 'cos there is absolutely nothing more you can do.

Good luck,

Julie

xx

[alis]

Let me share with you some good news (For all people who might have fatty liver and their application is on hold ). My CO emailed me yesterday informing me that my medical is clear now. It almost took 2 months for medical advisors to assess my second medical tests, But thanks good, finally it is OK. It is near 100 days that my application is lodged and she expects to finalise my case within this month. She mentioned that she is waiting for verification results.

[boojazi]

hi alis! so happy with your great news! i hope i get the same good news too. Did you apply for permanent residency?

[alis]

Yes , I have applied for PR through Bangkok Branch, with a job offer which I hope is still valid, after 3 months delay !!

[coopers]

great news Alis...gives us hope!!!