Follow up question about overweight Army son

[annecolorgreen 0]

Hi!

One of my Army sons has struggled with his weight FOREVER. He is three years into his service and is only a PV2 as they refuse to promote him while he is overweight (although they had no problem sending him to the Middle East OR allowing him in to begin with!). Anyway.

He mentioned the other day that he is seeing a bariatric doctor and is on phentermine now. Does anyone know if he will get in trouble with the Army for doing this? Are drugs like that restricted in any way?

Thanks. I'm glad he is trying to lose weight but I don't want him to get in any trouble.

~~anne

[rodriguezequal 3]

My husband after returning home from Iraq has gained weight and they have since then barred him from reenlistment until he loses the weight. I don't know anything about weightloss meds in the Army because my hubby never goes to the dr...lol My husband said that if you fail 3 PT tests and don't lose any weight within that time (something about 9% of your body weight or 8 pounds) then they can actually drop you from the Army...something about failure to adapt or something...my hubby has like 3 more months to get down to 170-160 or he will be completely barred from reenlisting or something...It sucks, but they have to have standards...the reason they let him in and deployed him is because they give them the chance to adapt and lose weight and get into shape...it's just the way the Army does things. Good luck!

Edited December 4, 2008 by rodriguezequal

[annecolorgreen 0]

Hi Holli--

My other son is at Ft. Lewis! He and his wife are expecting a baby in April. Did you have your kids there? How is the hospital situation? She has a high-risk pregnancy and will likely deliver early so I'm concerned.

I'm sorry your dh has also had trouble with weight. My son came home at Thanksgiving and has lost 30 lbs this month with the med and prepackaged foods. I really hope his new habits "stick" even after he goes off the med.

~~anne

[rodriguezequal 3]

My treatment was pretty bad at Madigan during and after my pregnancy. I had my son about 2 months early because I had undiagnosed Preeclampsia. I had a placental abruption and a uterine tear. My newborn son and I both almost died. I took 4 units of blood and my son took 7. My son was born pretty much dead. They worked on him hard and he survived. He was 2 pounds 4 ounces and 15 inches long. I was 32 weeks pregnant when I had him. The NICU took pretty good care of him though. They kept him alive and what more could I ask for. Check out my myspace I have pics of him from when he was a newborn and pics of him now :thumbup:. He's now 25 pounds and 32 inches tall Everyone's experience is different. If you or your daughter ever need to talk I'm here :thumbup:

[annecolorgreen 0]

Oh wow...what a cutie! He was SO tiny! I'm so glad he ended up doing well! My baby #4 was a NICU baby and it scared the heck out of me (and I was an OB nurse!).

I love your myspace--you have some funny things on there! lol

Would it be okay if I share it with my daughter-in-law Ellen? I'm so afraid that she isn't taking the preemie thing seriously.

Thanks!

~~anne

[rodriguezequal 3]

Feel free to share! I didn't even consider this happening when I was pregnant. He was in the hospital until he was 6 1/2 months old. He had 2 surgeries and then after a little while longer he was finally released. I wish that they would have taught me more about what could go wrong and how that would affect me and my child...it's hard to think about the bad things that could happen, but it's important to know that nothing in life is perfect. :thumbup: I'm always around to talk if you and your daughter want to add me on myspace or just message me on here! Good luck to you and to her.