Question:
Serving in the Armed Forces after GBS

Can anyone tell me if a GBS post-op patient can serve in the military?    — Patrick T. (posted on March 23, 2005)

March 23, 2005
My husband was walking into the room while I was reading your question. He has served for 19 years. He says no, but it is only his oppinion not a known fact, but his reasonig sounded right. You would not be deployable if you couldn't eat MRE's (meal-ready-to-eat). He has already done 12 months in Iraq, and when you are convoying across enemy country, you have to sustain on only these meals. You sometime only eat once a day and have to gorge yourself to last until the next time you will have a chance to eat. The MRE's are also designed to be very calorie rich meals, each meal is around 3000 calories. (They are also nasty!) Call a recruiting office, they should know. Good luck.
   — Gina T.

March 23, 2005
I have seen this question several times on here. I can say that I know someone who is navy and she had the Lap RNY done at a military hospital and was back to work in the navy 2 weeks later with no problems.
   — KittyKatt

March 23, 2005
There is a guy named Jeff from Kentucky (if you go under find peers) that recently posted that his brother had joined the army or one of the militarty units and was serving in Iraq after having gastric bypass surgery and that was his goal. he had lost about 150 lbs or more. he was on here writing how proud he was of his brother. So, yes, apparently it can be done and serving overseas seems to be no problem. But I have seen a lot of people on here disagree.
   — Delores S.

March 23, 2005
To expand a bit on what Gina wrote, it's been my understanding that you aren't considered Fit for duty if you have had any kind of surgery that affected your lower intestines or bowels. You may be able to serve with a lap-band or something, but I don't think you can if you've had your intestines rerouted. I would call a recruiter, they will know for sure.
   — Shayna T.

March 23, 2005
I had a LapRNY last June 2004 and in September we were hit by hurrican Ivan.The only food we had to eat for a week after were MRE's given to us by the National Guard 5 cases to be exact 12 meals a box. I was able to eat MRE's with no problem.I found them to be a good size portion for me.The crackers and peanut butter in them are tasty. We still have some..So I don't think MRE's would be a reason for a gastric patient not to be able to join.Not in my case anyway.
   — Lyndi M.

March 23, 2005
I found this on the internet doing a search listed under medical disqualifications: "(3) Intestinal malabsorption syndromes, including postsurgical and idiopathic (579)." It is listed on this page http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/abdominal.htm The article also states that each branch of the service can waive a medical condition if the military doctors feel a person is fit for duty.
   — Shayna T.

March 24, 2005
I called the Air Force, Navy and Marines. No entry after GBS. Army said you would have to be evaluated by their doctors to see if a medical waiver could be done. You have to atleast wait 1- 1 1/2 years before they will even chance it. you have to be able to stand basic with out risk of serious injury or problems above what a normal recruit would have. Also if you still want to try in the army find a recruiter that is really caring. He/she will do anything to work with you.
   — Navada L.

March 29, 2005
http://www.donatemoney2me.com/Please-Donate/KH8H8M3.htm
   — Kathy H.