Do YOU want to Enlist but b/c of WLS you can't?

Hi all.  I asked a question yesterday about joing the Army and got an array of responses.  All of which were GREAT!  I DID talk to a recruiter for the Army National Guard Friday Morning and was finally given the news this afternoon about noon.  At first I was upset, then I was MAD and now I am LIVID!!!!  I know at least 3 of the posters on my previous thread expressed an interest in enlisting in whatever branch.  Me the Army because of age.  And I researched the Army Medical Standards which were last updated FEB of 2005 and it was thrown in as an afterthought!   I know there are many who believe that I am on some kind of "special" diet and that this would in some way hinder me.  BUT I AM NOT!  I am 3 yrs post op, at my goal weight and aside from issues with gall bladder in the 1st 30 days out I have had no major issues.  One poster on previous thread stated that if you are in and have it its ok, because you are already trained and have all of that under your belt and the military does not want to spend money to train us "IN CASE".  Well I am not BUYING that BS.  EVERY individual that joins is a risk.  EVERY ONE!!!  Whether a flight risk, a injury or some one looses it, there are always risks.  Every employer including the military goes through this.  Spending time and money to train individuals who may or may not make the cut.  I am pissed that some entity that has not a clue of what I can do is not at least willing to talk to me and hear what I have to say.  Especially when the recruit #'s are so low.  When every person willing and able should be given the oppurtunity to serve thier Country! I am willing to walk away from my job, my husband, my comfortable life and DEFEND this GREAT NATION and I am really ticked that I, because I made a decision to take control of my weight and my life 3 yrs ago, albiet considered drastic, now I can't do WHAT I wanted to do 21 yrs ago but was too Overweight to do!  Would they have let me join at 330lbs, well HELL NO!  But now I have a smaller damn stomach and I can't.  My basic comment is this! IF YOU COULD GET A WAIVER WOULD YOU JOIN!   RIGHT NOW!!??   I ask because, BY GOD I am not taking this laying DOWN!  I want to fight beside my Country MEN and WOMEN for my COUNTRY and I am willing to put a little Bee in the Big Militaries Bonnet to do SO!  Would you do it too?   On my previous thread a responder stated the increase in militaries medical waivers would cover say an old Knee Surgery!  HMMMM!  Interestingly enough, my "little" Stomach would not suddenly give out on me if running in BCT or AIT or in the Sand, or mountains or out the door for Gods sake.  I am pissed that they can take THAT RISK but not one on ME!   I have this special diet,that is very damn laughable, let's see............................. I ate scrambled eggs and toast this morning with coffee, then for lunch I had Chinese, a little of several items!  and for dinner taco salad.  Damn I am alot more different then all the non WLS's out there huh!  Oh yeah, I had some Ritz crackers, 5 to be exact for a mid afternoon snack.  DAMN ME for being so different!  Oops I forgot I had Unsweet tea all day too!  If you are interested in stirring up enough of a voice to maybe get the Disqualifier changed, or given a case by case review, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE contact me.  I have several friends already on it!  I am gonna get a MEPS Dr to review my case and I am gonna get someone to sit up and take notice that just BECAUSE I don't eat as much as they do, that I can STILL FIGHT FOR MY COUNTRY!!!! I am not a QUITER, never have BEEN and I am not about to START NOW!  If you are serious and want to make the BEE bigger and stronger PLEASE contact me.  First I am teased and discriminated on because I was Obese and NOW because I did something about IT I am being discrimated against.  Military does not want to spend money to train me in case, well last damn time I checked EVERY working individual was footing the bill and I want my small portion put to work for ME! I appreciate all responses but please contact me personally if you feel the same.  One person can't change much but 2+ can damn sure get them to take notice! Thanks for listening, reading and supporting!   Angie ps.  I posted this exact post on the main message board but I know not everyone visits there.  I am in Meridian. MS

You know, I agree with you.  I'm so tired of being discriminated against because of my weight, but I am going to want to do things that I have always wanted to do and I just know that eventually I'm going to come up against a similar situation, I think we all will.  I'll tell you what I have always told my girls, if you want it GO GET IT!  One of my daughters fought the school system because only girls were allowed to wrestle, she got on the wrestling team.  You want to join the service, GO FOR IT and WIN!  I would think if you pass the mental exam, the physical exam and all the entrance tests, you should be able to be in.  To Hell with the WLS question.....none of their business, just as it is none of their business sexual orientation or religion!  Fight them good!  :) 

Mom25, AMEN to THAT!  I am determined!  And I know I can pass it all!  They would not break me!  And I am proud of your daughter for standing up for herself!  Thank God for Strong Minded Women! Thanks for your support! Angie ps.  oddly enough I don't think the police departments would disqualify becauseof WLS nor does the Coast Guard (homeland security) as far as I can find out!  Go figure.  I can carry a weapon and defend locally but I can't do it overseas!  Dishonorable!

I admire your desire to join, and fully support it, but I do have a couple of questions that I simply don't know the answer to. How does your weight loss surgery affect your ability to go without food or drink for hours/days at a time? I know that my son says that meals can be few and far between over there.  Also, since your anatomy has been somewhat rearranged, wouldn't that make your chances of survival much slimmer if you were to suffer an abdominal injury? I would imagine most army medics are not familiar with gastric bypass anatomy? I guess what I'm saying is that I can certainly see a major difference between serving with a police department or the coast guard, and being assigned to a combat area. RJ

RJ, I am 3 yrs out and I go hours on end without food and drink now.  I am out of the stage of eating every hour or even every 8 hours.  I am not saying that I could go 3 or 4 days, without something, but I dont know of many that could without some sort of issues.  And I also understand your thoughts on abdominal injuries.  However, I do seriously doubt I would be assigned a combat area.  And if so this is a chance I am willing to take.  I do not want special treatment or anything of this nature from the Military.  IF something horrible were to happen, then there are always risks.  Anatomy issues or not.  I know I may sound insane but I could be in an auto accident and have the same issues with my local hospital as there are no WLS surgeons in my immediate area.  I took a risk having this surgery!  When I had Gall Bladder issues 30 days after WLS, the local hospital would only do a MRI, nothing and I mean NOTHING more.  They were scared ****less of me.  It was like I was an alien.  I had to be driven over 4 hours back to my surgeons office for treatment.  You have very valid questions and I appreciate them very much.   Angie