If a service member has bariatric surgery while in the Reserves, will that SM receive a med board?

2021-07-20T19:41:33-04:00

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 20 at 2021 7:52 PM

2021-07-20T19:52:09-04:00

I'm really dated, but when I had a tour at NRMC Camp Pendleton (hospital), these surgeries were routinely performed on SMs for which other solutions just weren't solutions. They got the MIL covered LOD surgery, healed up, and went on from there. This would have been '83-85 timeframe. Unless things have greatly changed, Med Boards are interested in conditions that inhibit your ability to perform MIL duties or deploy.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jul 20 at 2021 8:18 PM

2021-07-20T20:18:41-04:00

OK... I'm obviously missing something here. Bariatric surgery is for people who are morbidly obese. I understand Reserves aren't meeting everyday and all that, but even then, how does a service member get to that point without being chaptered for the body composition program? Surely someone is noticing their rotundness at monthly drills, right?

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 20 at 2021 8:39 PM

2021-07-20T20:39:57-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member Bariatric surgery of 30 + years ago dictated periodic, carefully monitored blood testing. Minimally monitored, it has led to liver complications, eg: Cirrhosis.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2021 4:40 AM

2021-07-21T04:40:50-04:00

For those of you who have zero knowledge of this surgery its more than having a high BMI. Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure among several conditions that lowers the threshold for getting the surgery. There is the sleeve which reduces the size of the stomach to that of a banana. Then there is the one I had were the stomach is bypassed and a pouch created to serve as the stomach. Thats the one I had and I went from a high of 325 to 148. Of course that surgery means no booze as it goes straight into the blood stream. A teaspoon of a screwdriver will knock you on your backside. My metabolism is dead slow and as a result . My normal body temp is 96. I can gain weight on 600 calories a day.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2021 3:26 PM

2021-07-21T15:26:42-04:00

Med Boards will always be at the medical discretion of the Primary Care Provider

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2021 5:27 PM

2021-07-26T17:27:40-04:00

The SM will first be determined for fitness of duty. If they can still perform their job and pass the fitness test then there is no reason for a med board. The purpose of a med board is to determine if they are unsuited for military duty based on a medical condition. Having surgery u itself will not disqualify a member from service.

However, if the member has complications from the surgery and can no longer function in their current role, there are no other positions for cross training, or they become functionally disabled, then that member will most likely go through a board and receive a medical discharge.