Question:
Can an Active duty soldier get Gastric surgery?

My husband is in the military US ARMY.. He has always struggle with his weight... He love the army and he is a good soldier but his weight its getting in the way... can he get gastric surgery?.. Does the army pay or even permit this?....    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on May 7, 2008)


May 7, 2008
I wouldn't see why not. It seems to me the army has fitness requirements that he would need to meet and this would certainly aid him with that goal. I don't know if the army would pay for it but you should certainly research that. The other concern is time away from work. He might need to do it on an extended leave or something. You obviously love him and want to support him in his career. Good for you!! Our husbands need all the support they can get from their wives. Don't stop asking questions until you find out what's what. You can do it. In fact, you've already begun. :)
   — waterlover

May 7, 2008
Tricare does do RNY and have just approved The Lapband...have him go to into the hospital and see if he qualifies for either. I had my RNY but I was no longer in the military so...I'm not sure if he'll need approval from his commander or what...But it wouldn't hurt to have him go in for a physical and ask the doc if he qualifies... You might start here! http://www.tricare.mil/
   — .Anita R.

May 7, 2008
I have heard from people who are in the service that if you have had a gastric bypass you can not serve in active duty. The reason that they were given is the dietary restrictions. I do know of family members who have had the surgery so... not sure. Maybe the lap-band would be allowed.
   — dorothy S.

May 7, 2008
No, active duty military Cannot have Bariatric Surgery. See this link. http://www-nmcp.med.navy.mil/bariatric/BARIATRIC%20SURGERY%20POLICY_20070326160507_924C6A1B.pdf
   — Jen R.

May 7, 2008
How much overweight is he? Have you considered the lapband? It is not as intrusive, is reversible & works well if you use it properly. Look into it....
   — Linda R.

May 8, 2008
I don't know for sure about Army, but the Navy says no for Active Duty. The policy for the Navy is at this link. http://tiny.cc/e5LLY You could do a search for medical policies for the Army. They could be different.
   — Sarahtish

May 8, 2008
I'm not trying to be a jerk... honest. But I am curious about your husband's situation. I would think that if your husband was obese enough or had enough weight related conditions to qualify for surgery, that he would not qualify for active duty...... ?? Good luck to both of you.
   — mrsidknee

May 8, 2008
To who ever it was who posted the Official link form the Navy on this topic...BRAVO. I don't know how you found it but great that you did. For the wife asking about her husband, being ex Navy myself, I call tell you that there are requirements for fitness and if your CPO or XO thinks U R "fat" they will send you to Fat Boot Camp and have him weight in and be followed medically but they will not pay for a surgery while on active duty. Sadly if he can not keep the fitness standard they may at some point after counselling him several times give him a medical discharge. There is no shame in this type if discharge and it should not effect his benefits as long as he has been in long enough to get out of boot camp, school and to a permeate duty station. I think its 180 days? Good luck.
   — chell1957

May 8, 2008
I see you did get the answers to your questions. :0D For active duty - no. For the spouse- yes (my friend did it.) It just really would not be safe for someone in active duty. If they got in a "situation" where they could not eat or drink on a regular schedule they would be in bad shape. Also, I don't know if this is true, my hubby (former ARMY) said the MRE's are designed to constipate you and the gum is designed to make you poop (to control/time bathroom breaks). If that is true that would also not work out for a RNY patient. Not to mention the potential for dehydration. Maybe if the person were more of a recruiter/office type it would be safe, but the gov't says 'no'. :0D On the + side, his benefits would cover it when he is discharged. ..and tell him we all said THANKS for SERVING !!! :0D
   — MAG

May 13, 2008
I work in a military hospital and All the army wives get it so I don't see why he shouldn't if his bmi is high.
   — Nurse343




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