I'm trying to join the Army Reserves (and I'm also considering the AF Reserves). I've recently gotten off anti-depressants and I'm told I have to wait 6 months to try to get a medical waiver for it. Also, I got breast implants 4 years ago (stupid! I don't recommend it) and I'd like to get them re-done to a smaller size or maybe just plain removed sometime in the next couple years. I'm really set on joining, but I don't know if I would be allowed to get them re-done. I know I would pay for it myself and use the same doctor who originally did them, if that makes any difference. Should I wait to have them re-done until after I get in? Would I be allowed to do it when I'm in? Since I already have to wait for the anti-depressant waiver anyway, should I just get it done now? Does it matter if they're saline or silicone (saline now)?
Thank you all for answering these embarrassing questions.
Do you want them redone just because they are too big or are you having other problems with them? The reason I'm asking is because all surgery comes with a certain risk, as I'm sure you know, and you never know how you're going to recover. If you really want them redone I recommend doing it now, before you join. Your surgery recovery time is going to interfer with drills and that might not be popular. You also don't want to feel like you have to rush your recovery just because you need to get back to your reserve duties. I don't know if it matters if you have saline or silicone. However if they rupture during training the saline will deflate within hours for all to see, the silicone usually holds up better when a rupture occurs but that also means that it's harder to know that they are leaking and might make removal harder. So do your research on that one. If you decide to just get them out all together it's still surgery and you might need a lift depending on how big they are now and how much tissue you have. Whatever you decide, Good Luck!!
Well, they are too big, but I'd be less concerned if they weren't kinda screwed up with ripples. I'm leaning towards getting them removed altogether, which would include a lift. I know that you shouldn't do strenuous upper body activity for 1-2 months after the surgery, so if I scheduled it correctly, right after a duty weekend, I might have to avoid certain parts of the next month's duties, but that's all. Mostly I'm concerned that if I got it done now, it could prevent me from joining, or significantly extend the wait period before joining, especially if there were any complications. I know they won't keep me from joining as they are now, though.
Midget, I know it's been a month since you posted it, but I've just combed through the entrance regs and it says absolutely nothing about implants or the removal thereof as a disqualifying factor.
Personally, I'd have them removed before you go in. Less hassle to deal with, you don't have to schedule it around drills or AT or Basic, etc. And there's no rush...Army will still be here when you're done recovering.
