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Medical Alert Bracelet

MiTurner247

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MiTurner247    34

MiTurner247
Posted

Did anyone purchase a medical alert Bracelet after surgery to inform medical personel that you have had a vertical sleeve gastrectomy? If so what did you have put on it?

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twoboysandagirl    109

twoboysandagirl
Posted

My doctor said it wasnt necessary, I asked because I knew the Bypass patients had to wear one. He gave me a card to carry in my walet that says what procedure I have had and it also asks resturants to sell me a kids meal...

I have never used it...kids meals are almost always fried or full of carbs.

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M2G    1,836

M2G
Posted

I have consulted with 2 different paramedics about my surgery and the necessity of a medic alert Bracelet. Both of them felt like it was NOT necessary because we don't have a "pouch" like a band or bypass, since our stomach shape is similar to a regular stomach only smaller. It basically refers to if you are unconcious and needing a blind NG tube inserted through the nose/mouth to intubate you and the fact that they could puncture your stomach since it has been surgically altered.

I think most bypass people also can't have NSAIDS, so most of their bracelets say something like No blind NG tubes, No NSAIDS, and of course any other personal issues or allergies.

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Lauranbob Mc    94

Lauranbob Mc
Posted

I have consulted with 2 different paramedics about my surgery and the necessity of a medic alert Bracelet. Both of them felt like it was NOT necessary because we don't have a "pouch" like a band or bypass, since our stomach shape is similar to a regular stomach only smaller. It basically refers to if you are unconcious and needing a blind NG tube inserted through the nose/mouth to intubate you and the fact that they could puncture your stomach since it has been surgically altered.

I think most bypass people also can't have NSAIDS, so most of their bracelets say something like No blind NG tubes, No NSAIDS, and of course any other personal issues or allergies.

when they place an NG/OG tube down they are not very gentle about it at all. I think I will not take my chances and get a bracelet.

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Ms skinniness    3,003

Ms skinniness
Posted

This is where I sometimes struggle. What I have noticed is that Kaiser educates on diet and not taking any NSAIDS, but their educational process is geared towards the gastric bypass. All the medical personal is also slanting toward the GBS too. If I need an NSAID, then my PCP is not going to give it to me because of what they have been educated on about the GBS. Even the nutritionist automatically go to the thought process of the GBS. So I'm stuck. I might look into getting a medical Bracelet, but will I wear it? Anyways, I love where I'm at today and will just relax a bit. ;)

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MyGastricSleeveLife    180

MyGastricSleeveLife
Posted

I've thought about it some. I haven't had surgery yet, but I'm thinking about getting a Bracelet. I thought about it again the other day when I saw the intake nurse at the hospital to prepare for my surgery. She said they're thinking about asking people if they've had gastric surgery, especially because of the food in the hospital. She said they had a patient recently come in for something completely different & they didn't ask b/c it's not currently on the questionnaire, but then they found out later when the patient asked for something special as far as food.

My doctor has said no NSAIDs & no caffeine for lifetime after surgery. Therefore, I really think a bracelet is important so no one gives me NSAIDs if I can't speak for myself in an accident or something. I'm going to ask about it at my appointment tomorrow just to see what the doctor thinks about it too - but it's something I think I'll get anyway even if he doesn't think it's necessary just b/c of the NSAID thing.

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cookies    56

cookies
Posted

I don't think NSAIDs are as big of a deal as far as MedicAlert bracelets go. In an emergency, they're not going to be giving you NSAIDs. By the time you're taking anything by mouth, you should be conscious and able to say, "I can't have NSAIDs".

It's the NG Tube thing that I'm worried about. If unconscious, I would want to let them know that they can't do a blind NG Tube.

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ImLooznit    171

ImLooznit
Posted

I also asked my surgeon about this, and he was like, NO you do not need that.. so I took a sharpie and wrote on the back of my drivers Lic. that I has VGS. I trust my Dr. BUT, just in case...... Ü

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MiTurner247    34

MiTurner247
Posted

I think im going to go ahead and get one. I would just feel better if they knew I had surgery just in case im unable to tell them. Its worth it to me just not to worry about the what ifs!

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MyGastricSleeveLife    180

MyGastricSleeveLife
Posted

I think im going to go ahead and get one. I would just feel better if they knew I had surgery just in case im unable to tell them. Its worth it to me just not to worry about the what ifs!

I agree - for me the peace of mind is worth wearing it even if it's not "necessary."

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iwannabslim    67

iwannabslim
Posted

I currently have the lapband, and I have a medic alert Bracelet with my information on it. I plan, if I am approved for sleeve revision surgery, to get a new one. It simply states my surgery type, no blind NG tube, no NSAIDS, and my lapband doctor's name and phone number. You just never know...

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Buffy    4

Buffy
Posted

I have consulted with 2 different paramedics about my surgery and the necessity of a medic alert Bracelet. Both of them felt like it was NOT necessary because we don't have a "pouch" like a band or bypass' date=' since our stomach shape is similar to a regular stomach only smaller. It basically refers to if you are unconcious and needing a blind NG tube inserted through the nose/mouth to intubate you and the fact that they could puncture your stomach since it has been surgically altered.

I think most bypass people also can't have NSAIDS, so most of their bracelets say something like No blind NG tubes, No NSAIDS, and of course any other personal issues or allergies.[/quote']

Hello, I am new here. What is NSAIDS. And NG tubes ???? I hope you can help me out. I am confused. Thank you

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MiTurner247    34

MiTurner247
Posted

NSAIDS = non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Blind NG tube = gastric intubation vis the nasal passage without visualization

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lil4heartz    3

lil4heartz
Posted

When I went into my surgeon's office for the pre-op surgical appt yesterday, they gave me info on ordering a Medical Alert Bracelet and a piece of paper that explained what it shouldsay on it. My surgeon said that it was recommended because you never know.

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cookies    56

cookies
Posted

When I went into my surgeon's office for the pre-op surgical appt yesterday, they gave me info on ordering a Medical Alert Bracelet and a piece of paper that explained what it shouldsay on it. My surgeon said that it was recommended because you never know.

What were their recommendations for what it should say?

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Go To Topic Listing Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

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