Share your experience w/ CAA medical

[Medwin]

I went to the 2 day medical in CAA office in Taiwan because I was hired by one of the major airlines there in TPE. The Dr. found out that I do have gall bladder stones and he told me that I need to have a surgery to completely remove my gall bladder before they can give me a medical certificate. I heard it's no big deal but it's still a surgery.
So I went to my Doctor in my hometown to get a second opinion, and my Doctor told me that if the stones are not bothering me, I have an option to leave it alone.
I heard that this problem is very common, so I'm wondering if you guys have the same experiences and you don't mind sharing it with me, or any advice would be aprreciated.

[BlueEagle]

I'm no Medic. but I have heard that stones can be disintergrated by some kind of beam applied externally, possibly worth a check? I don't think it was science fiction!

[ivierre]

that was what i have heard too but the stone has to be at least a certain size....not sure tho.

BTW, what are the CAA requirements for eyes? thanks :rolleyes:

[mellofello]

Ultra Sound therapy is the procedure commonly used to break up the kidney stone(s). The idea being to pulverise the stone into pieces small enough that they can then pass through your system. Warning - this is going to be painful when it passes. Some type of stones are too big and using ultra sound will not work, in fact it could make things worse.

You need to see a specialist who will determine if ultra sound will do the trick, if not, they need to assess whether the stone is likely to move - if it is, then you will probably loose your medical. If the specialist determines that the stone is loged then you should be ok and you can take his assessment to the CAA and hopefully get your medical.

[Medwin]

Ultrasound to break up stones are not recommended because my Dr. told me that it can cause more complications because once it breaks it will travel into bile ducts and it can damage the liver or the pancreas, and yes it''s very painful. My Doctor told me that if I want the job then have a surgery or I can just leave the stones alone.

Ivierre,
I don't know the CAA's eye requirements but they did at least 9 eye checks.

Mellofello,
Just to clarify things, I do have Gallstones not Kidney stones.