I’ve read that any type of WLS is an automatic disqualification, but I have not found anything current. I did see though that the Air Force does not automatically disqualify you if you’ve had WLS...so my question is has anyone here had and experience with trying to enlist or actually being accepted?

I would go right to the source, ask a recruiter, or a lawyer :-)

I’ve read that any type of WLS is an automatic disqualification, but I have not found anything current. I did see though that the Air Force does not automatically disqualify you if you’ve had WLS...so my question is has anyone here had and experience with trying to enlist or actually being accepted?

It is a non-waiverable medical procedure. Health Affairs Policy 07-006 states that “Bariatric surgery represents a major and permanent change in your digestive system that requires strict adherence to a specific dietary regimen that may interfere with operational deployment. A history of bariatric surgery is already a bar to military service and receiving bariatric surgery while on active duty may be grounds for separation.”


Heaviest weight-250
Gastric bypass 6/23/16
Current weight -138