Do we as VSGers need Medical Alert Bracelets?

And if so, what should they say??

Lovingly,

monica:001_tongue:

I don't have a bracelet, but my surgeon provided a sticker to attached to the back of my driver's license. It simply says Patient has Lab Sleeve Gastrectomy. No NG Tube w/o calling xxx-xxx-xxxx. Fluid capacity 60cc or less/limit NSAIDS and then my surgeon's name.

Deb

Deb, I like your idea, I may just print out my own sticker!

Patti

I was researching this today and just added the ICE to my phone, with a note there to look under "Notes" for Medical Information. My medical info has the date updated, then a list of everything I take daily, including Vitamins and Rx meds.

I also took a picture of my WLS card given by my surgeon, which includes his name and phone number and used that as the picture for the ICE listing on my phone.

Thanks for the great suggestions!

I never thought to have either the medical alert bracelet. I use to wear one when I was considered diabetic. My husband and I was just recently in a serious car accident but we were awake when the ambulance arrived so I kept repeating that we were had bariatric surgery to the EMT and the nurses. I did call my surgeon after the surgery and they said as long as we are not experiencing any stomach pain then we would be okay. I am 11 mos out and my husband was 7 mos. We had no serious injuries but a few weeks later we found that my husband has cracked a rib. In our accident the cell phone went flying so having it in the phone, they may not find the phone. I may rethink the note on the DL.

I wouldn't dissuade anyone from getting a medical ID bracelet, but I polled a few EMT's/paramedics that I know and all of them said the same thing. They don't think there would be a problem with the blind NG tube...RNY = YES, but VSG, they all said no.

I also asked them about the fancy or pretty ID bracelets becuase I have heard that sometimes they are overlooked and viewed as jewlery instead of medical information. They said it's helpful to be clearly medical ID but they wouldn't discount it immediately if it looked more like jewelry. However, one paramedic mentioned that he relies mostly on instinct and is going through things on a mental checklist. The ID bracelet/jewelry is just part of that list.