Means for a permanent DQ?

[aust10n]

Hey.
I'm curious if this is a permanent DQ.
I have a steel bar in my chest. I had Pectus Excavatum, and it was corrected. The bar is sceduled to be removed this March. I'm just curious if anything like this is means for a permanent DQ. My surgeon said she has had patients get into the military all the time even with the bar still in place (DEP). I'm not able to get on DEP. My recruiter says it should'nt be a problem. What do you all think?

My surgery was purely cosmetic. I have no restrictions of my level of activity I could go out and play ice hockey again if I wanted. Once the bar is removed my only restriction is no swimming for 1week, because I run the risk of infection. With this little information, should everything go pretty smoothly once the bar is removed?

Thanks.
Austin

[chili77bowl]

well, if the recruiter says "shouldn't be a prob..." then it shouldn't be a problem...that's his bread and butter...he knows things like that...

[Phantom Blooper]

I had Pectus Excavatum, and it was corrected.


My surgery was purely cosmetic


When I enlisted I had Cranial Rectumitis which also was purely cosmetic and the the lovely drill instructor team at Parris Island corrected it for me! :evilgrin:


In all seriousness I would have your recruiter or RS NCOIC contact MEPS and ask if a waiver is needed. It sounds to me like there should be. Different part of the body....but if one needs a waiver for Lasik eye surgery prior to boot camp I would think that a waiver would be needed for anyone going under the knife or any meds before MCRD. Good luck to you!

[Phantom Blooper]

aust10n, if this is the procedure that you had I would really get my recruiter to clarify his sources. The reason is that if he claims you can DEP and there would be no problem and the bar is not long term as stated in this article then get yourself in shape and take the ball and run with it. From experience I would be leery of doctors that tell you that minimally invasive procedures you will heal from with no problems. That's now wait till you have about thirty more years under your belt.:beer:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pectus_excavatum


Nuss procedure

Since then, Dr. Donald Nuss (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Donald_Nuss&action=edit), based at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_Hospital_of_The_King%27s_Daughters) (CHKD) in Norfolk, Virginia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk%2C_Virginia), has developed a technique that is minimally invasive. The Nuss procedure (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuss_procedure) involves slipping in one or more concave steel bars into the chest, underneath the sternum. The bar is flipped to a convex position so as to push outward on the sternum, correcting the deformity. The bar usually stays in the body for about two years, although many surgeons are now moving toward leaving them in for up to five years. When the bones have solidified into place, the bar is removed through outpatient surgery (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outpatient_surgery)

[rvillac2]

Cranial Rectumitis

Ah, the most common affliction of recruits, high school seniors, and ultra-liberal/conservatives.

[aust10n]

I was actually one of the last surgeries Dr. Nuss did before retirement, at CHKD. Or at least I think he did it. I know he was in the room during the procedure, I believe maybe his assistant that took over did my surgery.

Do any of you know anyone that got into the military with this condition?

[Phantom Blooper]

No...never have..... Cranial Rectumitis ......Yes! Also fill out your profile per the rules of this site!

:evilgrin:

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Occupation...'gamestop'???

What the hell is that?

Or..dare I even ask....

[aust10n]

It's called a retail store???

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Ah...so you WORK at a place called 'Gamestop'.

Got it.

Not allowing a 'gaming' system in my house, no wonder I wouldn't 'get' that.

[aust10n]

I hear ya. Games are kind of addicting. Not a bad rule at all.