Do you have a medic alert ID?

Thanks for this thread, I never really thought about it, but am glad I read this. I'm going to get one from MY BANDS. I really like the idea that I can change my medical info when needed. My DH would never remember to tell anyone about my LB if there was an emergency!!!

Just to let everyone know - I found a great place to buy medic alert bracelets for very good prices. Very Lauren's Hope like but half the price. It is on ebay.com under Jewellery - medic alerts. Company name is Design Innovations and the email address if you have trouble there is " gremund@comcast.net " I got 2 replacement bracelets 1 crystal and 1 gold & silver for 56.00 US. Check it out.

I do not have a braclet. My band came with an ID card that I am to keep in my wallet at all times. It has that I have a Realize Band, my Drs name and phone number and my name. It says" This patient has undergone a surgical procedure to place an adjustable band around the stomach with an injection port, to assist in the treatment of obesity. blah blah blah contact the the surgeon before performing any medical procedures. The gastric band is MRI compatible."

I like it because it is not know to the world that I have a medical "issue".

I have a card too.. but when you are in an emergency no ones going to go through your wallet to see if you have a band.. well that's what my hubby said so I got one..it's cool. I got it from ebay .. I like it!

I got a bracelet because we travel a lot and you never know what can happen on the road. The only thing I didn't remember to plan on was that I was going to lose weight (Duh) It will soon fit on my ankle, which is a better place for it in my opinion. This is the info I had put on mine:

name

DOB

Lapband AGB

No blind NG tube

PCP name and number

Surgeon name and number.

allergies.

In a true emergency they probably aren't going to give you nsaids by mouth anyway. IV ones shouldn't affect the stomach.

Did you know that EMTs (I used to be one) look for the letters ICE which stands for "in case of emergency". You can put all your info in envelopes in the car, on your frig, in your purse and put ICE in big letters so they can find it .. Also program ICE on your cell phone to contact a family member that knows all about you.

My surgeon said Lap Band does not need a medic alert because there is plenty of room for an NG tube to pass through the stoma. He recommends them only to his bypass patients.

Thanks!

Cherlita

I bought one from ebay after reading this thread. I travel quite a bit so it makes more sense to me to have it on. I just have Adjustable Gastric Band, Abdominal Port, No Blind NG. Didn't put anything else.

Mine is Sterling Silver and there is no red medical symbol on it. Its all silver so looks like the bracelets I wear.

Its still a good thing to have, as it was already said, if you travel alot its better than nothing at all.

My surgeon said Lap Band does not need a medic alert because there is plenty of room for an NG tube to pass through the stoma. He recommends them only to his bypass patients.

Thanks!

Cherlita

There is plenty of room for the NG tube, but it has to be positioned correctly. If they are not centered in the band they can cause a slip, or tear the stomach. I was told to put "no blind NG" or "no NG without scope" ~Mandy

I have a Medic Alert bracelet because of my many co-morbidities. The bracelet itself is $10, and it costs $20/year to have your medical info listed in their data base. You can sign up with them on their web site, Medical ID from MedicAlert - Medical Alert, Medical ID Bracelets, Necklaces, Emergency Response. You list your current meds, your medical history, your emergency contacts, and your doctors, and you are able to update your information 24/7/365. Your bracelet has Medic Alert's 800 number and your ID number, so that EMS crews can call the 800 number and use your ID to get a printout of everything that you've included in your data.

I feel much more secure when I wear my bracelet. I know that if I'm not able to tell the paramedics my history, then they can get it for me.

Hope this helps!

Another way to store all your info is a flash drive. They are available in bracelets, necklaces, and key chains. You can put all medical and contact info into them and change them as often as you like. You can even store insurance info in them. They start at about $15, and can go up to $70, but there is no annual fee. ~Mandy

Here is one company that sells them 256MB MEDI-BAND EMR - MB - 256MB , they are also on ebay, search for flash drive bracelet.

Out of curiosity, if I am in a situation where I am unconscious and in a hospital or ambulance, will the medics actually look for a medic ID on me?

Taking your pulse is something we always do. So we'd see it. I've actually been an EMT for over 2 years, and can you believe I haven't seen ONE patient wearing a medic alert bracelet?

I love this website (and this particular bracelet). Sterling Silver Medical ID Mariner Link Bracelet 7 inch It will be mine. hehehehe Oh wait, I have to get approved first! :huh2:

I got mine at www.laurenshope.com. It is sterling silver and beaded. I never take it off. It is way too big now and almost fits my ankle. Eventually I will have to have it sized down or get a new one. People have actually noticed it before when I was sick and questioned me to make sure I was okay. It puts my mind at ease...in case of emergency. Plus it is a nice fashion accessory and goes with everything!

Same here got mine at Lauren's Hope and its black and silver with crystal beads so it goes with pretty much anything and I wear it all the time, shower with it on, etc. It is $6 to send it back to Lauren's Hope to get it resized so that would be cheaper than buying another one. I keep the decorative bracelet part on top of my wrist where it shows and I get alot of compliments on it and 99% of the peopel who see it have not seen the MedicID tag that is underneath on the inside of my wrist and I prefer it that way.

For the men-- they have simple leather braided ones and styles that aren't too decorative for you also.