Liposuction and the U.S. Armed Forces
Liposuction surgeons in certain areas of the country are surprised to see a new demographic in their 
waiting room: members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
According to several news outlets, a growing number of military personnel are relying on liposuction to meet rigorous physical standards required by the Pentagon — specifically, the “tape test,” a major determination in the future of their career.
The body fat tests (which use a ratio of the circumference of the neck and waist to determine a person’s body fat) are performed to make sure that service members are prepared for the “rigors of combat,” the Associated Press reported.
Those who do not match the Pentagon’s weight tables are required to participate in an exercise and nutrition program (affectionately nicknamed the “doughnut brigade”) to slim down. Failing the tape test once may halt promotions; failing three times can get someone kicked out of the military.
These fitness standards are nothing new, the Washington Times reported, but military officials seem to be enforcing them more strictly. Some believe this could be linked to the armed services trimming its ranks as the defense budget shrinks.
Since the future of their career is on the line, a service member may take drastic measures to re-take and pass the test, including crash diets, or exercises to increase the circumference of their neck so it is more proportional to their waistline. Others turn to liposuction to reduce stubborn fat around their waist.
Liposuction is a last-ditch effort by some service members, who criticize the Department of Defense’s method of estimating body fat, saying that the outdated weight tables used by the Pentagon do not consider that some men have big, muscular builds that aren’t necessarily fat.
Jordan Moon, a fitness expert quoted in the AP article, also slammed the tape test, saying that the troops’ physical performance is more important than the size of their waistlines. “Ninety percent of athletes who play in the NFL are going to fail the tape test because it’s made for a normal population, not big guys,” Moon said.
Military officials insist that studies show a connection between waist size, body fat and physical endurance and defend the tape test as a trustworthy, cost-effective means of measurement.
This liposuction trend could continue to increase, especially since a representative of the Army said she doesn’t anticipate the fitness standards changing anytime soon.
Dr. Sayah welcomes members of the armed services and civilians to meet with him for an informational liposuction consultation. Please call (310) 984-1150 to schedule an appointment.