I read that quite a few gastric bypass patients wear a medical bracelet, is that true for sleevers too? Is there anything that emergency services would need to know or something we can no longer have medically?

I think it's a good idea to alert people that your stomach is not the normal shape. It's more important for RNY patients because nasogastric and orogastric tubes placed by medical personnel are placed post-pyloric, and their pyloric valves have been bypassed. That can cause harm when a "blind" placement is done. Even so, as a nurse, I would like to make my own decision about whether I'm comfortable or not placing a tube in a sleeved patient.

I was told for sleeve that we can never have a feeding tube so I do know people that have that on their medical bracelet

I have one. It says my name, Vertical sleeve gastrectomy/date it was performed, No blind NG tube, no/limit nsaids, and then it gives the emergency # and name of my bariatric clinic. It seems to be controversial about blind NGs with the sleeve. I suppose since our anatomy isn't quite as different RNY it is not as big of a deal - but I would rather take the extra precaution - or at least put the precaution in the mind of the nurse who is tubing me. I know in emergency situations we may be able to have some nsaids - but again, i'd rather them know that it's something to watch for.

Mine is on a dog tag that I wear around my neck. I try and wear it most days, but some days I forget. I also have a card in my wallet with the information in case I forget to wear it.

Chances are I would probably be fine without a medical ID, but I just know that if I was treating a patient in an emergency situation, I'd prefer the information so that I could include it when I'm making decisions on how to treat them.

I was told for sleeve that we can never have a feeding tube so I do know people that have that on their medical bracelet

We can have feeding tubes. I was just cleared not to have one last week because I worked hard to get my gs up.

If you don't understand how a feeding tube works its difficult to explain why, but trust this little sickie, I was one day away from one on Tuesday ,

I was told for sleeve that we can never have a feeding tube so I do know people that have that on their medical bracelet

Yes, we can have a tube, even RNY patients can have a tube, but it needs to be done with a scope (i.e. no "blind" tubes).

The program I went through recommends wearing one with information related to NG tube placement, no NSAIDs, or oral steroids, and any medication allergies. I ordered mine today.

Well I really don't see the need specifically for the VSG it IS a good idea in general, if for no other reason than to make sure that medics always have access to your information and have an emergency contact. It's easy to lose a purse or wallet and with it your only means of identification if you are unconscious or too out of it to respond.

There are even some that come in the form of a USB drive or have an URL imprinted on them that a medic can refer to but I seriously doubt that anyone would stick an unknown USB drive into their own computer or trust an online list of information that may well be out of date.

Thanks everyone! What is a blind Ng? Is it a feeding tube placed without ultrasound or scans? It is a good idea I think. I will order one.

NG tubes go from your nose to your stomach. They can be used for nutrition, to take contents/air out of stomach in instance of obstruction, to put medications, like activated charcoal through. It is possible for medical professionals to do it blind, or without being able to see, or they can do it with a scope.

Isn't the "blind" risk only a concern until our staples are encapsulated. That as the feeling I got from my doc.

I have one. It says my name' date=' Vertical sleeve gastrectomy/date it was performed, No blind NG tube, no/limit nsaids, and then it gives the emergency # and name of my bariatric clinic. It seems to be controversial about blind NGs with the sleeve. I suppose since our anatomy isn't quite as different RNY it is not as big of a deal - but I would rather take the extra precaution - or at least put the precaution in the mind of the nurse who is tubing me. I know in emergency situations we may be able to have some nsaids - but again, i'd rather them know that it's something to watch for.

Mine is on a dog tag that I wear around my neck. I try and wear it most days, but some days I forget. I also have a card in my wallet with the information in case I forget to wear it.

Chances are I would probably be fine without a medical ID, but I just know that if I was treating a patient in an emergency situation, I'd prefer the information so that I could include it when I'm making decisions on how to treat them.[/quote']

I just posted something about this a few minutes ago sorry did not see this post first. Great nurses think alike

15kGold, no worried about posting again. There is different advice on both. it is interesting.

Nurses may I ask your honest opinion? My doc said that after the staple line is encapsulated no I'd tag is needed (and. Since they don't come in rubies or sapphires I'm out:p.

But I'm just saying....aside from someone who has extensive work done to or damage to their esophagus, dony you feel pretty comfy placing an ng tube without poking out internal walls within your patient? Maybe my experience is somehow different, but frankly I can place tube blind. It's not that hard if you measure and go carefully? I've placed many of them in babies. It's not fun...but it's doable blind for this silly old banker so would a completely healed up sleeve actually add that much burden to. The job?

I'm not asking to be difficult, I really am curious if an adult tube is that much more difficult to place.

Nurses may I ask your honest opinion? My doc said that after the staple line is encapsulated no I'd tag is needed (and. Since they don't come in rubies or sapphires I'm out:p.

But I'm just saying....aside from someone who has extensive work done to or damage to their esophagus' date=' dony you feel pretty comfy placing an ng tube without poking out internal walls within your patient? Maybe my experience is somehow different, but frankly I can place tube blind. It's not that hard if you measure and go carefully? I've placed many of them in babies. It's not fun...but it's doable blind for this silly old banker so would a completely healed up sleeve actually add that much burden to. The job?

I'm not asking to be difficult, I really am curious if an adult tube is that much more difficult to place.[/quote']

Placing the tube is not my concern. Feeding through the tube is my problem. Aspirating (drawing back air and liquids and reinserting would really be problematic.

My surgeon said that the ID would be a good idea. That since the anatomy of the stomach has changed, is smaller, that a blind NG could easily puncture the stomach. And since you don't know the circumstances you may need one, who will be doing it, if you will be alert enough or at all, etc it's a good idea to protect yourself.

I know that I will get one. I do NOT want a hole made in my stomach when it could be communicated.

It's also for the NSAIDS. Yes, in an emergency, we can have them if otherwise would be worse than an ulcer but it is good for emergency medicals to know. Especially if they have a choice btwn a non NSAID and an NSAID.

Guess tag or bracelet is just personal choice.