Will weight loss surgery ever be waiver-able?

2015-09-14T14:37:32-04:00

I served from 2001-2006. I am 32 years old. In 2006 I was unable to reenlist because of my weight (even though I had consistent PT test scoring 270+ and a few 300s) but I served my whole term and received an honorable discharge. As I put on more and more weight after getting out, I learned I had a metabolism disordered and undergoing gastric bypass would "reset" my metabolism and give me a chance at a normal life again, I was nearly 300 pounds. The surgery work and I have kept off my 140 pound weight loss for almost 6 years now and have competed in 7 half Ironman triathlons and am getting ready for my 3rd full Ironman triathlon. I have a big desire to serve again. I have tried to go back active duty 3 times with 3 denials because of my surgery. I tried to National Guard and same thing. Will this ever become waiver-able? I refuse to lie about it and risk a fraudulent enlistment later

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Sep 14 at 2015 2:54 PM

2015-09-14T14:54:26-04:00

SPC Jillian O'Malley, Gastric By-pass surgery? Please have regular-periodic blood tests for liver malfunctions. I know of two cases where the blood test protocol was not followed or the results were mis-read!

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 14 at 2015 2:56 PM

2015-09-14T14:56:18-04:00

You may be able to but it is doubtful

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Sep 14 at 2015 3:53 PM

2015-09-14T15:53:10-04:00

If you truly want to serve again then I suggest a detailed letter written to the Secretary of defense, and/or Secretary of State. Recruiters have standard guidelines to go by. Perhaps going outside the box may get the results you desire.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2015 4:20 PM

2015-09-14T16:20:04-04:00

You are right to not lie about it. I had not heard that this was specifically not waiverable, although it doesn't surprise me. The problem isn't you, it's a precedent and people who would abuse it. I think a time constraint on it (6 years would be plenty) could easily fix this. I would keep trying.

Proud of you keeping it off by the way. That part is harder than many realize.

Response by SGT Tim. Wilson made Jul 7 at 2020 5:28 AM

2020-07-07T05:28:27-04:00

SPC Jillian O'Malley SPC O’Malley Having dealt with weight control and body fat issues all my life, including while serving, I want to give you Tremendous Kudos for what you have accomplished in keeping it off and the regiment you have obviously followed after the fact!!!!!
Now as for whether this particular procedure will ever become waiverable I doubt it. And my reasoning for that is I know a couple veterans and have a son-in-law who had this done, they have all been successful in reaching their goal weights and keeping it off. But all three are on medications that they have been told they will have to take the rest of their lives. So that is one reason.
The second reason is, from my understanding, the dietary restrictions are such that you couldn’t be eating MREs or most Chow Hall foods (at least not what they served back when I was in), there wasn’t a lot of choices for low-fat or whatever diets. Which in turn would mean that you pretty much would not be deployable to the field whether that was for training or humanitarian relief or war zone!
So those are the two reasons why I don’t think they will ever offer a waiver for this type of procedure.
I know I’m late to the conversation but it just popped up in my feed. Hope things worked out for you and you are still going strong!!

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Oct 19 at 2023 1:13 PM

2023-10-19T13:13:21-04:00

PLEASE HAVE BLOOD TESTS SEMI-ANNUALLY. A blood test was not thoroughly investigated by my late wife’s GP. She passed of compilations from ?that surgery?