Question:
Has anyone had WLS and then joined the military?

I always wanted to joing the military, but I have always been "too fat" to join. Has anyone had WLS for their health of course, and then joined the military? Is so, was it hard? Anything would be helpful. e-mail [email protected] Kelly    — kellyparrett (posted on April 3, 2003)

April 3, 2003
Kelly: I've seen this question posted before. Apparently you would be ineligible as this would make you non-deployable. I'm not sure if this is for all branches of service. It wouldn't hurt to call a recruiter. In any event, good luck! I had my surgery at WHMC by a military surgeon in San Antonio. Feel free to email be anytime! Ciao, Victoria in Italy :)
   — perezrdh

April 3, 2003
The last poster is right. This question was asked recently so if you go to the library you may be able to find it. There were alot of good responses, but the bottom line is, no, you cannot join, as any type of stomach surgery renders you non-deployable.
   — Cindy R.

April 3, 2003
hi..i did see this asked before and i remeber several answers that stated u are not able to join the military after WLS
   — christine S.

April 3, 2003
Pre ops might check with a recruiter. If they are healthy enough to get accepted they might avoid WLS altogether. Military can enforec very low calorie diets with lots of forced exercise and very long 20 mile marches over tough terrain. Obstacle course, calthestics and others MIGHT be able to make a healthy thin person from a MO. Do check with a recruiter. Please report back here what they tell you. RNY usually makes the person not usable for military service
   — bob-haller

February 10, 2004
Kelly, while you would not be able to join a "normal" military outfit, you have another choice in TX. Texas is one of 27 states with a state military department, or State Guard. I heard that it is also one of the better ones. I know that when the shuttle disaster occured last year that Texas Guard members stood watch over debris along with "normal" National Guardsmen. I found into for you at Texas Texas' Recent Activities and/or Sample Journal Articles Texas Web Site 1st Battalion, 8th Brigade, Texas 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, Texas 4th Airwing, Texas State Guard BG David Adlof 201 Ferris Avenue Waxahachie, TX 75165 972-937-1420 972-936-1898 Fax E-Mail BG Adlof COL Chet E. Brooks 823 Congress Ave., Suite 1010 Austin, TX 78701-2429 512 476 7151 512 478-9890 BG Charles R. Weaver 202 W. Central Texas Expressway Killeen, TX 76541 817 526 7900 817 634 0208 E-Mail BG Weaver For anyone else interested, there is a national page where you can research your own state. www.sgaus.org Also, you may want to research HR 2797 at the House of Representatives web page. This is what many in the federal government are trying to accomplish for the state guards. I hope this helps, Chaplain Mac No man is an island, but I do make a suitable floatation device I serve as a chaplain with the Alabama State Defense Force. A defense force is governed by the state, whereas the National Guard is subject to mobilization. The only drawback is that your service is entirely voluntary.
   — Papa_Mac