So here I am, 5 days out from my July 23 surgery with Dr. A. I feel great. I am not having any trouble, except my Protein wasn't good the last two days (traveling), but I am home and having a nectar Iced tea and it doesn't taste like vomited dirt so I think I can manage it.

I had a fabulous experience in MX. I was very pleased with everything. I stopped in to see my PCP today to give him the stuff and he was super happy also, and that means a lot to me.

I am taking it a little easy, bending over and getting up and down are not the best sensations in the world, but otherwise I am feeling fine.

I am back to the study at the end of Aug. I need to update my ticker and get a med alert bracelet, but I think I am otherwise caught up.

I am glad you are back and feeling good!

Are we supposed to wear a medic alert bracelet?

Well, I have seen people that do. I figure I will have mine say Partial gastrectomy, No blind NG tube, Dehydration Risk, as that seems to be what I have heard others are doing.

I am a horse trainer, which is a somewhat risky job, so I think it would be prudent for me to have one. I don't know if it is "required" though.

Welcome back! I am glad to hear that everything went well for you. Here's to a speedy recovery!

Well, I have seen people that do. I figure I will have mine say Partial gastrectomy, No blind NG tube, Dehydration Risk, as that seems to be what I have heard others are doing.

I am a horse trainer, which is a somewhat risky job, so I think it would be prudent for me to have one. I don't know if it is "required" though.

This is the first time I've ever heard this even mentioned ... it's an interesting concept, although I don't want to advertise to everyone that I've had VSG. I think there are cards you can carry in your purse, too. Mac posted some links to those sites on another thread.

Sounds like you're doing great! Keep up the good work. There are several protein drinks that I like so be sure to check out the protein drink thread called rate your liquid protein.

Welcome back and Welcome to the "Losing side"!!!

I'm glad things went well for you... and you've got a great journey ahead of you!!

I'm glad you mentioned medical alert bracellet.... I go back for my 6 month check up and thats one of the questions I was gonna ask my doc about.

I've read the same thing... lots of people have them, but i also know of alot that don't. I ws just gonna get his imput on things.

Again... Congratulations!!

I think there are lots of ways to handle the medic alert thing, it just depends on your lifestyle. I don't carry a purse when I am riding, and there is a larger chance that I will end up unconscious because of my profession (I wear a helmet and I am very good at my job, but horses can still be horses), so the bracelet is the best option for me. I got it engraved on the back.

The purse/wallet card it a good idea for more info, I think I will look into that too.

Welcome back Blue,

I hope everything is going ok for you. Judy

Well, I have seen people that do. I figure I will have mine say Partial gastrectomy, No blind NG tube, Dehydration Risk, as that seems to be what I have heard others are doing.

I am a horse trainer, which is a somewhat risky job, so I think it would be prudent for me to have one. I don't know if it is "required" though.

What is a blind NG tube?

Inserting a naso gastric tube into the stomach without the aid of fluorescope. You can't really see where the inserted tip end actually is. Sometimes when a patient is in an accident or has some sort of trauma and there is question of internal bleeding and for many other reasons, medical staff have to insert a tube into the stomach to empty the contents or provide a route to infuse medication or liquids.

Edited July 29, 200916 yr by Ruthi

I have a card in my purse that I present to the ER admissions clerk. Mr. Mac has a copy too.

I am in the process of getting something called Road Id that I will wear when I bike and run and race. I haven't decided what I'll put on it. The "No blind NG tube" thing is apparently not considered necessary by some people and I don't want to put a novel on the thing. (They don't intube with NG tubes in the field and the tube is very soft and also with our sleeve stomachs, there should be plenty of room. From what I can tell, it's a RnY/band thing that has carried over to other surgeries.)

I was going to put my dh's contact info, one alternative contact info, and either 'partial gastrectomy' or 'vertical sleeve gastrectomy' and the date of my surgery on mine. Then I'd see how much room was left.

Here's the web site:

Road ID?

I don't feel a need to wear a medical alert braclett in general though. I've never actually been unconscious and most of the time I'm where people know me and I have ID on me and my surgical card. Plus it's really, really obvious I've had a bunch of surgeries so the emergency people I've talked to say they'd already be being careful with me based on my scars.

Good stuff about the medic alert. I am going to think about it.

I ordered this one N-Style ID: "BALI LINK w/CONTEMPO ID" Medical Bracelets

and I went with my name, Part Gastrectomy (spelled correctly), and hubby's cell phone.

Simple, straight forward, and on all the time.