Anyone wear a medical ID bracelet since gastric bypass? I know my surgeon office gives us a wallet card, but I’m weighing the choice of getting a medical ID Bracelet…..

Thoughts?

Hey stranger ❤️
I bought one when I was first revised to bypass. I didn’t wear it for long because it wasn’t comfortable or stylish enough for me to consider it everyday jewelry. I may reconsider another one in the future.

I never got one. I know this comes up occasionally and some people get them - but I don't think most of us do.

I feel like if it was really necessary then surgeons would urge or demand we get them.

No one in my team has ever mentioned it. I didn't even know it was a thing until coming across it on these forums.

But really, you do you. If it makes you feel more comfortable, go for it.

I can't see why I would ever need it.

I once heard a story of someone who had an issue because she had some tube put in her stomach and the EMT didn't know she had bypass and it caused serious damage, but apparently the person inserting a tube would have to have seriously messed up for this to have happened, and it might have been an urban legend anyway.

My surgery center didn't mention us needing medical ID bracelets (I had sleeve, but the people I was in classes with had bypass), and I can't think of a situation in which I would need one, even if I were unconscious. We weren't given wallet cards either.

I did end up ordering one from Amazon, $15 bucks. I was told to put my procedure name and date and then; no nsaids, no sugars, and no blind NG tubes on it. I’ll probably wear it for awhile. Lord knows better safe than sorry.

I didn’t get one specifically for gastric bypass, but I later had to get one for another condition, so I also added “NO NSAIDS, NO BLIND NG TUBE”. I got a sidekick from roadid.com (same thing is also available on Amazon). It attaches to my watch band, so it’s not a separate bracelet.

My program also never mentioned getting a bracelet, or gave me any kind of card, but I ordered one shortly after surgery (five months ago). I wear it whenever I leave the house, just in case. I could see eventually not wearing it, after the novelty of having had the surgery wears off. Like many others, it says no NSAIDs, no sugar, no blind NG.

The bracelet part is already too big. Luckily, I have a friend who is into jewelry-making; we're planning to make a new one for me.

I bought a medical ID sleeve that fits my Apple Watch band. It has a QR code that links to a website where you can enter (and change, as needed) your medical info. The website, MyID Shop, has other types of IDs (bracelets, etc.).

I have worn a medic alert bracelet for years because of all my drug allergies. There is no room on it to put anything about my bypass.
I have a silver bracelet that has a jaw clasp at both ends that I wear with it. I also have made other one with colored beads to match what I’m wearing.
I bought it on Etsy. I showed the seller what I wanted & the length I needed. I have had this one for over 6 years. There are loads of them out there, just Google medic alert bracelet.
PS after my stepmom who had Alzheimer’s got lost aa couldn’t remember her name or phone number I got her one with that info on it.

I’m trying to post a picture but I can’t figure out how to do that.

Goodness! Can't see the need for a medical ID bracelet. NSAIDs aren't the end of the world - I can't see how they'd administer an oral dose without your knowledge and even if they did, so what? And no sugars, again, typically things like this are given via IV.

On 04/21/2022 at 03:50, Pollito said:

Goodness! Can't see the need for a medical ID Bracelet. NSAIDs aren't the end of the world - I can't see how they'd administer an oral dose without your knowledge and even if they did, so what? And no sugars, again, typically things like this are given via IV.

Your attitude towards your surgery (“so what” “goodness!”) and mine are drastically different. I’m here to follow the rules of my program so if that means no NSAIDS, sugars/IV fluid, or NG tubes, I’m all for it. But I’m preop until 5/6/22 so that could explain it. Perhaps, and I assume, you are post op and even possibly years out post op :)

2 minutes ago, redhead_che said:

Your attitude towards your surgery (“so what” “goodness!”) and mine are drastically different. I’m here to follow the rules of my program so if that means no NSAIDS, sugars/IV Fluid, or NG tubes, I’m all for it. But I’m preop until 5/6/22 so that could explain it. Perhaps, and I assume, you are post op and even possibly years out post op

I don't think it is a "so what" as in they don't care.

I think it is more of in a pinch of being a medical emergency that these things won't kill you. So, "so what" if you end up getting a dose or two as long as you aren't doing it long term you will be fine.

Where as someone allergic to some type of medication, may actually die.

It is just a very different risk and urgency to make your medical team aware of a life and death situation.

I do understand trying to follow everything to a "T" though.

Knowing some of these things could mess me up early post op, I think $15 is probably worth it. To have something that can speak for me in the event that I can’t. Perhaps I see the benefit in it more because I’ve had an event within the last 2 years where I couldn’t speak for myself at a hospital and they definitely did whatever they needed/wanted to figure it out with no consent ?

7 minutes ago, redhead_che said:

Knowing some of these things could mess me up early post op, I think $15 is probably worth it. To have something that can speak for me in the event that I can’t. Perhaps I see the benefit in it more because I’ve had an event within the last 2 years where I couldn’t speak for myself at a hospital and they definitely did whatever they needed/wanted to figure it out with no consent ?

I completely understand. You have to do what makes you feel safe and comfortable.