Medical Alert Bracelet for VSG?

I am sure this has been posted to this board before, but cannot find it -

Does anyone with VSG have a medical alert bracelet and if so what does it say?

Can we VSG folks have an NG tube or not?

The consensus from the true medical professionals that have posted on this (nurses and former nurses) has said that the bracelet is not needed for the VSG surgery alone, and that since we have a continuous but just smaller stomach and intact pylorus valve that there is no medical reason we can not have an NG tube.

This is an incorrect notion that was inferred from RNY surgery where the top of the stomach is stapled off to form a pouch with a hole cut into the side of the pouch to attach the Y small intestine segment.

I am not a medical professional, and you should always use your own surgeons office as the final answer on this level of question.

Note that there are other reasons which you should have an alert bracelet such as insulin/diabetes problems or I was told that I should consider having a medic alert bracelet for being difficult to intubate.

Ditto what Mack said.

Yes VSG patients can have an NG tube inserted with no danger at all.

There is absolutely no MEDICAL reason to have an medical alert bracelet or pendant for the sleeve.

I have a quick question OM...should newly sleeved people carry something for say the first 2-3 months after being sleeved in the event they can't speak.  Would a NG tube early on cause problems cause of swelling etc?

You can have an NG tube at ANY time after surgery.  They are actually quite soft, and they do NOT just jam them down.

I asked my doctor about one...he said it wasn't necessary, but if I wanted one to make me feel more comfortable, then get one. They did send me a wallet card that states on it no NG tube...and has a picture of what my tummy currently looks like. BUT I wonder if it states that because they don't have a sleeve specific protocol...everything comes off the RNY protocol.

I have asked my hubby for one for Christmas...not specifically for the VSG. I have other medical conditions that it would be a good thing if medical professionals knew about if ever in the situation where I couldn't tell them. I'll have the VSG info on there, but the other information will be first. I don't think I would get one if it was just for the VSG only.

When I did look into it. I only found bracelets for RNY. Then I asked my doctor and he said not needed unless I want to carry one for my diabetes and heart condition.
The RNY states no NG tube, no sugars and something else.

I won't be wearing a bracelet (anything around my wrists causes me to break out in a rash). A necklace is a possibility, tho.  Will discuss this with my doc.

Carrying a warning card in my wallet in my purse - I doubt an EMT would search for such a thing if one was in extremis and needing a tube. Certainly one shouldn't rely on such a card - what if you're in an emergency situation WITHOUT your purse??

I have another question, tho: what about airport security? Do our titanium staples set off the alarms??

Also, I have heard about a WLS card you can carry for restaurants, etc , requesting to be allowed to purchase child size meals instead of adult meals - do most of y'all carry these?

;)

Sheri

I asked both my surgeon and his nurse on separate occasions whether titanium staples set off airport alarms and they both chuckled and said, no absolutely not.