Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Medic Alert Bracelets? Do We Need One?



Recommended Posts

I have seen posts selling and others referring to having one...I can see the logic in having them... Any thoughts? Has anyone's Doctor said anything about having one?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am really curious about this also. I had my one-week follow-up yesterday and forgot to ask my doctor! I'll add it to my list of questions for him, but would love to hear the advice of fellow sleevers.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My Doc gave me a card to keep in my wallet that identifies me as a VSG patient and a list of things that can't be done and I can't be given. I was thinking of possibly getting the info on a dog tag type of thingy in case something ever happens and I'm not coherent enough to whip out my wallet and show someone the card since I'm really not a Bracelet type of guy.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What kinds of things can't be done or can't you be given?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The Card Says

MEDICAL ALERT: Sleeve Gastrectomy

Do not place Blind NG (nasal gastric) Tube

or Blind OG (oral gastric) Tube

NO NSAIDS

And then it has my Doc's contact info.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

NSAIDS include Motrin. I thought we could take Motrin because there are no issues with malabsorption like there are with R&Y.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I dunno, that's what the card says though lol. You know how every Doctor is different when it comes to their approach to the sleeve.

They really should have Sleeve Doctor convention or something and come up with a solid universal set of rules and guidelines they all go by.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

NSAIDS include Motrin. I thought we could take Motrin because there are no issues with malabsorption like there are with R&Y.

All of my paperwork from my Doc says no motrin, no advil, no aleeve. The only OTC pain med I can do per my doc's instructions is Tylenol. Not my favorite, but it will do, right?

I have thought about having some sort of Bracelet made up - it is smart so that if you can't talk to someone and let them know what your particulars are that you aren't harmed in the administration of first aid or something. If you get an answer from your doc, please let us know!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Definitely will ask my surgeon as well. Not sure.

I again about the convention. I find it bizarre that every surgeon is so different. I specifically asked mine about NSAIDs because I get Migraines and take excedrine Migraine. He said te first few weeks/months that I shouldn't while I'm healing. But after that shouldn't be a big deal. I'll have to check again :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've thought about having the procedure code tattooed somewhere inconspicuous... but who knows if they'd find it?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Definitely will ask my surgeon as well. Not sure.

I again about the convention. I find it bizarre that every surgeon is so different. I specifically asked mine about NSAIDs because I get Migraines and take excedrine Migraine. He said te first few weeks/months that I shouldn't while I'm healing. But after that shouldn't be a big deal. I'll have to check again :)

Oh thank goodness... I get them also and Advil Migraine has become my go to since they pulled Excedrin

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've thought about having the procedure code tattooed somewhere inconspicuous... but who knows if they'd find it?

Not likely.. they don't look at those things while they are working on you...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Onedayatatime365

      Looking to connect with others who are also on the journey of better health. Post-Op Gastric Sleeve (4/11/24).
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×