Question:
Are we able to join any branches of military ? Any updated info?

I am a post op RNY patient, thought about joining the guard or reserves,but wasn't sure if there was any new info. on the subject.    — Michelle W. (posted on June 16, 2004)

June 16, 2004
One the first things my brother told me after hearing I was having surgery, was you can't ever join the military. He is an avid military buff and will be enlisting when he graduates from high school. Point is you have a medical condition that is not approved for joining the military after gastric bypass.
   — Michelle B.

June 17, 2004
I had my intestinal bypass (JIB) in 1977 when I was 18. About a year later I decided to talk to a Navy recruiter. Because I had had the bypass, I was not eligible. Sorry.
   — csrodriguez

June 17, 2004
Maybe down the line it will be okay to have had WLS and then be able to go into the military after a period of time. My husband had a coarctation of the aorta repaired at age 17 (congenital defect, caused high B/P in a normal weight teenager. It was finally discovered when he had a physical to enter the military.) Anyhow, he tried to get in after that (age 20), and they wouldn't take him, but after we married, and he was 23 and had been stable after his surgery for several years, he was able to join the Army National Guard. He went through basic training and additional training, and stayed in for several years. Never had any problems. I think the military does not understand that we don't always have to eat multiple times per day (after about a year), and our need for liquids is no different than any other human being, as far as dehydration. In fact, most post-WLS people are probably better aware of how to eat properly. We need to take vitamins and supplements; that's true, but then some of the malabsorbtion issues also decrease after some time. I guess it would depend on the level of fitness after surgery, too. Maybe some day....
   — koogy