General surgery questions

[Bishop]

So, I have been absent for quite a while, I might be needing jaw surgery, its not required but its a good idea to fix my overbite, the official name of the surgery is

Bi-Sagital Split Osteotomy

Is this gonna cause trouble later when attempting to get a pilot or Nav slot? Thanks

[Bishop]

Sorry to bring this back up, if no one had an answer, would anyone know who I could contact to find out. It is getting closer to the time for surgery, they will be cutting my jaw and then inserting some metal so my jaw is poperly aligned within 3 months the bone grows over the metal, while my overbite is not really that bad I figured I might as well do it while I got my braces on, but if it might DQ me I will opt out.

Thanks

~Mark

[Guest F16PilotMD]

I think it might cause you some trouble. Any implanted device will cause question. The issue is will it be waiverable or not. Details matter. There is not always a good way to predict because it's hard to know exactly what you're going to end up with.

Look in AFI-48-123 for more info when you find out exactly what will be left in you (sts).

[Bishop]

Thank you, how do I go I about getting a hold of this manual? I appreciate the feedback this definitely sheds some light on it. once I find out what exactly will be done, and the manual is not clear who should I contact I know recruiters are usually not the best source of info.

Thanks,

Mark

[Bishop]

Just in case anyone has this problem in the future, after searching AFI-48-123 I wrote someone at the AETC Waivers and got this back. This settles my stomach about the procedure somewhat, however still leaves some question on the floor. I will have to do some more deciding to wheteher I will go through it or not. Since they say it is a possibility, I am still unsure of how I should handle this situation.

Mark,

As with any surgery it's between you and your physician. However, if you elect to undergo the procedure we would be willing to consider you for a waiver after you have been cleared to full and unrestricted activities. We would also review for a waiver for Flying. We would have to have a consultation from your dental surgeon outlining the diagnosis and prognosis after you have been cleared for duty. Please understand that there are no guarantees for waiver.

[ 05. November 2004, 02:48: Message edited by: Bishop ]

[Guest Melissa Emmett]

I was just getting ready to ask this "jaw surgery" question myself!

I am in pursuit of a pilot slot initially with the ANG, but am also going to try the AFR. Talked to a AFR recruiter a couple of days ago, and she asked if I have had any surgery. I had jaw surgery in 1995, and have a total of 6 screws in my jaw. She is looking into the matter but thinks I am probably SOL. I have spoken with the Dr who performed the surgery and he said the screws were put there to aid in the healing process, and surve no structural purpose whatsoever.

That is my story, and here are my two questions.

1) Do I have a chance?

2) The recruitersaid if she gets a thumbs down from whoever it is she has spoken with that they won't even schedule me for a physical. I don't want to give up that easy. If this happens, what can I do to still get a physical?

Thank you for your time.

[Spartacus]

I was just wondering if gallbladder surgery/removal was a DQ condition for the FC1?

[Guest F16PilotMD]

no

[Guest grad05]

I was an 0603 Pilot select and I am scheduled to attend OTS in March. I have to have my gallbladder taken out next week. Aside from needing to let my recruiter know, will I have any problems with my Flight physical or selection?

Thanks

[Guest doctidy]

shouldn't be a problem...take care...hope all goes well.

[Guest HeTz]

I have a question concerning a kidney surgery I had approximately 11 years ago when I was 13 years old.

I was riding my "mountain bike" down a hill and had a terribly bike wreck that punctured my left kidney. According to my medical documentation, I suffered a severe lower pole left renal fracture. To repair my kidney, the urologist performed surgical exploration of the kidney through a transabdominal approach and removed the damaged portion of the lower left renal pole. I spent approximately two weeks in the hospital. Approximately three months later, I was released by my doctor to resume full physical activities, including hockey (documented in his progress note).

So, in summary, I still have two fully functional kidneys and have not had any problems since. I've been quite active, including contact sports.

My question is: Is there a chance that this surgery could DQ me during my FC1 physical?

I have all the medical documentation handy in case you may want to ask more detailed questions.

Thank you for your time.

[Guest P27:17]

I have a question concerning a kidney surgery I had approximately 11 years ago when I was 13 years old.

I was riding my "mountain bike" down a hill and had a terribly bike wreck that punctured my left kidney. According to my medical documentation, I suffered a severe lower pole left renal fracture. To repair my kidney, the urologist performed surgical exploration of the kidney through a transabdominal approach and removed the damaged portion of the lower left renal pole. I spent approximately two weeks in the hospital. Approximately three months later, I was released by my doctor to resume full physical activities, including hockey (documented in his progress note).

So, in summary, I still have two fully functional kidneys and have not had any problems since. I've been quite active, including contact sports.

My question is: Is there a chance that this surgery could DQ me during my FC1 physical?

I have all the medical documentation handy in case you may want to ask more detailed questions.

Thank you for your time.

If it is as you say you won't need a waiver.

Good luck

[Guest IWasIssued]

I know that having had abdominal surgery within the previous 6 months is disqualifying for OTS, but is it also disqualifying for a deployment? I can't find anything on this topic. It was surgery to repair an umbilical hernia, if that matters.

[Guest P27:17]

I know that having had abdominal surgery within the previous 6 months is disqualifying for OTS, but is it also disqualifying for a deployment? I can't find anything on this topic. It was surgery to repair an umbilical hernia, if that matters.

You will be held back from deployment until you are cleared by your doc...less than the 6 month window is entirely up to him/her.

[Juan]

About a month ago I got a letter from the navy saying that I was not able to enlist due to having retained hardware on my left leg. I was confused because at MEPS I saw in my file “waiver recommended” I was bummed out, and my recruiter didn’t understand. In the end they recommended me to go to the Air Force because they actually believed that I should’ve been able to join(which was actually what I wanted to go talk to first). I talked with my recruiter and he told me to go see a specialist(I went to the same one that did my surgery). He gave me a paper saying that nothing is wrong and that I was cleared join(I was surprised when he told me that he was an Air Force vet). I gave that form to my recruiter and he submitted it to the Surgeon General. I just wanna know if I have a chance getting into the Air Force. I got a S/P ORIF on my left leg back in 2014. I have no pain at all and full motion. I run almost everyday with no issues. It’s been 17 days since everything was submitted to the Surgeon General.