Medical Alert Bracelet - do you wear one?

[mamabear_2_2 39]

Hello friends! 😀

I will be having surgery (RNY) in about a month and am picking up a few odds and ends beforehand. One thing that came to mind based on some posts I've read is a medical alert Bracelet. I travel for work at least once a quarter and will be traveling around 8 weeks post-op. I started to wonder if it maybe I should wear a medical alert bracelet in case some kind of emergency happened and I wasn't with someone who knew about my surgery (only three humans + my medical team know at this point). The downside of course is wearing any kind of medical-related visual as I am a super private person. I did find some very cute and less traditional looking ones on Amazon.

So - do you wear a medical alert bracelet or no? Not sure if it's really necessary, but was curious to ask this group your thoughts. The reason I am so curious is I recently read on a post about someone sadly losing a relative when they were intubated (*I think* ) and the EMTs somehow perforated this individuals stomach. 😥 I am not a medical professional and I could have this completely wrong! But, I am one of those people that is overly cautious about most things - so these types of stories always set off my danger alarm.

Thanks all! 😀

[lizonaplane 1,613]

I've heard that story too, about being intubated and having the stomach perforated. I would ask your surgeon if they think it's really necessary. I don't plan to wear a medical alert Bracelet, but I'm having sleeve, so I don't think it would be the same issue. Needing to have an urgent intubation is really not that common, and I think of medical alert bracelets for things that would occur more commonly, like anaphylaxis and blood sugar issues. But if it makes you feel safer, I don't think most people would be able to read what it was for - although if you get one that doesn't look enough like a medical alert bracelet, would the EMTs know to read it?

[The Greater Fool 2,072]

I don't wear one.

I've talked with several Docs informally and basically when inserting such a tube they are supposed to stop when they meet resistance. Thus, the person inserting the tube screwed up. They said a Bracelet likely wouldn't have prevented the screw-up.

Good luck,

Tek

[mamabear_2_2 39]

1 hour ago, lizonaplane said:

Needing to have an urgent intubation is really not that common, and I think of medical alert bracelets for things that would occur more commonly, like anaphylaxis and blood sugar issues. But if it makes you feel safer, I don't think most people would be able to read what it was for - although if you get one that doesn't look enough like a medical alert Bracelet, would the EMTs know to read it?

This is such a good point!

[mamabear_2_2 39]

9 minutes ago, The Greater Fool said:

I've talked with several Docs informally and basically when inserting such a tube they are supposed to stop when they meet resistance. Thus, the person inserting the tube screwed up. They said a Bracelet likely wouldn't have prevented the screw-up.

Thank you for sharing what the docs have told you. So very helpful!

[catwoman7 11,284]

I don't have one and don't think I know anyone who does, but if having one makes you feel safer, go for it. It's never wrong to have one...

[lekcir 19]

I wear one because you never know the unexpected. Plus I work in a place that has potential for major accidents and fatalities.

Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

[Elahnen 183]

Check out roadid.com I used to wear one when I ran. It’s very discrete but well known to emergency personnel. It’s comfy and durable and you can wear it anywhere!

[MistySkye 181]

If you have an iPhone it has Medical ID on it where you can record medical alert information that will display on your phone in case of emergency.