Not a pregnancy related question

This question isn't related to my pregnancy but I have a question that I am hoping someone will be able to answer.

My hubby is in the military and we just got orders to go to Italy. I am soo excited.  Well in order to go you have to go through this screening called an efmp which is to see if the base can handle your medical needs.  Someone told me have gastric bypass is going to prevent me from going to Italy because they cant take care of me medically.  Personally I don't see where my medical needs are extensive.  I have to get blood work every 6 months to check levels that is about it.  Nothing life threatening, I wouldn't think.

So do you think gastric bypass is going to prevent me from going to Italy?

 My husband is military too! I have heard the same thing. I know you have to be cleared through EFMP. I was told if we move there has to be a gastric Dr here in the states so I would assume the same is true for out of state. I hope someone answers it for sure. B/c i would hate for you to not go overseas b/c of that!!
Jessica

I know we could go to Germany because Landstuhl is the best hospital so they can take care of my needs.  In italy you have to go to an Italian hospital but europeans have been having gastric bypass surgeries longer than the US.  So I dont know...

Im not a military wife but I am still very interested on what you find out! Please keep us posted and I pray you can go!

-Ashlie

Wow...Italy!  I'm jealous! 

I am not military and know nothing about military 'rules,' but that would be crazy if they denied you because of the surgery.  If you're healthy and stablized - ie your labs aren't off the chart crazy - then I'd think it shouldn't be a problem.  I had WLS in Brussels then moved three months later to Indonesia w/the government...and they weren't able to do all my labs in Jakarta and had to mail some to Singapore and some to the U.S....and I still got a med clearance to go.  Again...that's not military, but it is government.

If they did deny you...I'd fight them on it...even offering to fly up to Germany at your expense to do the lab work if necessary (it shouldn't be...the local hospitals in Italy should be able to handle it...and there shouldn't be any other issues re your bypass that needs the dr right there.' 

Good luck...and I hope you get to go...you'll LOVE Italy!

Try and find out what hospital is on base where you're going and see if there's some online literature like the below.

http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nhoki/Patients/OSS/Pages/Denia lConditions.aspx

The website above is an Naval base in Okanawa, but they tell you online what conditions that is reason for a Denial for oversees medical screening. They do list Gastric Bypass, but as I understand if it's within 3 years you couldn't go. Like I said this is Okanawa, but you might have something online for the one in Italy. Good luck sweetie and I'm pulling for you going to that beautiful place :)

~~Gina

I am not sure about Italy but I know a few ladies who had the surgery while in Germany.  When I was in germany, both times we had to use a german hospital for major things.  The had a medical center on post for minor things only.  Good luck and I hope everything works out for you.

They are about to open a bigger health clinic there next month.  When I went on the website they have a lab so I would assume they should be able to provide adequate medical care to me.  But I guess we will find out.....the waiting is the worst.