Question:
Has anyone ever joined the armed forces after WLS?

I am interested in the navy or airforce and wonder if they will take me.    — [Anonymous] (posted on February 4, 2002)

February 4, 2002
i found this in the library, hope it helps http://obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/question.phtml?N=b1008131099&Search_Word=military
   — Tica G.

February 4, 2002
I can answer this question. My husband is active duty Navy and is currently stationed as a processor at a Military Entrance Processing Station. None of the services will take you after WLS. Medical will not approve it.
   — [Anonymous]

February 4, 2002
Hi my husband is in the Navy,Recruiting Command and they don't because its a major surgery that alters the body. You need to be world wide assignable. sorry
   — Tisha W.

February 4, 2002
I don't have an answer for you, but I just wanted to say "WOW - What a wonderful question!"
   — Goldilauxx B.

February 4, 2002
Hi there, I was active duty Air Force for eight years and was discharged for weight. I fought my weight tooth and nail the whole time and it finally caught up to me. I when i knew that it was inevitable that I would be booted out I inquired about WLS since the military will pay for dependants to have it. The doc said that I should be an ideal candidate. That was until he called Wilfred Hall and they said that the recovery time would be too long and even though I would lose weight I wouldn't be World Wide Qualified after that. So there you have it. Ironic huh?
   — [Anonymous]

February 4, 2002
Sorry, but you cannot join the Armed Services after any kind of WLS.
   — Phil J.

September 2, 2003
Well I am confused. I am a full time Law Enforcement Officer and I recently looked into the Marine Corp because I was interested in being an MP. I was told that they can not exclude you because the surgery, only if you have complications that have caused major problems. I had to go as far as sending my recruiter my medical records and a letter from my surgeon, I was then told that I was accepted by the recruiting office, but I would have to go to Jacksonville for final medical clearance. Never went that far so I am not sure what the final disposition would have been, but it is not true that they exclude you from the get go.
   — Amanda F.