Medic Alert ID for WL?
I had read on here a few days ago about the nurse that mentioned how important it is that in case of emergency and you are a non responsive patient that you have visible ID. I live in Canada and contacted our nurse hotline for BC. She mentioned that if they were to put a tube down your throat or nose that in the case of a WL patient is should be done with a camera, not "blind". Still waiting for a response from our ambulance service. In some cases time will be of an essence for sure.
Does anyone wear or carry ID? Of course my doctor would know, but that takes time to get the info. Suggestions or comments most welcome!
The following is what the nurse suggested:
Does anyone wear or carry ID? Of course my doctor would know, but that takes time to get the info. Suggestions or comments most welcome!
The following is what the nurse suggested:
NO BLIND NG TUBE...VSG PT. ENDOSCOPIC TUBE PASS ONLY! Thanks very much!!
My surgeon said it's not necessary. If they put a tube down your throat they're not going to push in a certain amount of inches but stop when they reach their destination (they're trained to know when that is) and as for putting no n'saids on a bracelet, many posties take nsaids and even for those that don't one or two in the hospital isn't going to make that much difference when we're facing something major we have to be seen at the ER for. Once they check your ID and run you in the computer your past medical history will come up and show rny or gastric bypass. I know a few post op wls patients who have gone to the ER after an accident with no bracelet and all of them have been fine. Docs and ER nurses are trained to insert tubes and IV's carefully and know when to stop.
Jen 9 yrs post op
Jen 9 yrs post op
MEDIC ALERT (Originally Posted Eons Ago)
I believe that Medic Alert bracelets are:
1. Simply a way to draw attention to the surgery, to encourage people to ask about what the person professes to want keep private. "Oh, this?... I've had Gastric Bypass Surgery..."; or
2. Give people the illusion of control over the uncontrollable;
Medic Alert Bracelets and Necklaces are intended to speak for you when you are unable to. Thus, it only comes into play when you are UNCONSCIOUS in an EMERGENCY situation.
1. They make it look like jewelry, which emergency personal are NOT looking at for subtle or hidden messages, especially when they are trying to save your life.
2 "No N/G Tube" / "No Blind NG Tube", because if they insert a tube and upon encountering our pouch, FORCE IT, it could to major damage. WRONG. Anyone placing an N/G tube is trained to STOP when they encounter ANY resistance, and specifically NOT to force it. Further, N/G tubes are "virtually NEVER" (Which means extremely rarely, these were the words used by my local ER nurse) administered in emergency situations where the person is unconscious and unknown, as it is rarely a priority to put things into your stomach, which is the purpose of this tube. Further, I've seen the pictures of my pouch... 'pouch' is overstating the concept, so a tube would have to turn a right angle to puncture my pouch, which you must admit is not tube behavior. But that may only explain why my doc thinks them unnecessary, were someone with a different shape might have a different opinion.
3. "No NSAIDs". Yes, this is a HUGE problem, you're lying there unconscious and some EMT is trying to push Aspirin down your throat.
4. "Must Carry Water". Yes, I've seen this. The purpose is so the person can carry their water into movie theatres. Certainly not emergency situations.
When I run, I do wear a Dog tag style ID that will speak for me when I can't, since people around here hit runners with frightening frequency:
TEK (Not my Real Name)
LAS VEGAS, NV
ALLERGY: PENICILLIN
--- Flip Side ---
HOME: (702)xxx-xxxx
TEK-WIFE: (702)xxx-xxxx (Not her real name either)
PARENTS: (702)xxx-xxxx
This way, if I am unable to speak for myself, the authorities can QUICKLY and EASILY talk to someone who can speak for me.
"Better Safe Than Sorry"
The reason of last resort, "Its better safe than sorry". IF it is indeed better to be safe than sorry, then we should wear helmets while we drive. We are statistically far more likely to suffer a head injury that could be prevented by a helmet. IF you aren't wearing a helmet, then YOU don't believe its better to be safe than sorry.
Medic Alert bracelets are not intended for "Better Safe Than Sorry", they are intended to:
1) Alert emergency medical personnel of a medical condition that may be directly related to the situation they are addressing. Examples: Diabetic Shock, seizures, etc.
2) Alert emergency medical personnel of the potential danger of "normal" procedures. Example: Alergy to "safe" drugs;
Horror Stories
We've all read horror stories by nurses about such things as a Gastric Tube being forced and almost causing (or causing) injury to a 'normal' patient, imagine the damage to our 'altered intestines'! Think about this... They goofed up by abandoning their training and forcing the tube on the 'normal' person. Based on this experience, normal people should wear Medic Alert Bracelets with "Follow your Training!" on them.
Let's face it, Medical people, especially ER people, have seen it all. Yes, terrible things CAN and DO happen. When terrible things happen, no matter how RARE they are, the ER folks are going to see it... Again and Again. They don't see the MILLIONS of people it doesn't happen to. It can skew ones outlook.
Horror Stories are effective at moving people. Its difficult to move anyone with "... and everything was OK."
Risk and Convenience
All day every day we make decisions that involve risk. EVERYTHING involves risk, along with other things such as convenience and probability. Using the Helmet example earlier: Driving in a car has risk, one of which is an accident. The likelihood of an accident is low, but we wear convenient safety equipment like seatbelts (that in many cases are automatic, in other cases it is annoying not to wear them because of alarms).
A helmet would add safety. How likely is an accident? Low. Where Seatbelts would help? Lower. Where a helmet would help? Still lower. But is it worth the Inconvenience of hair getting messed up, air circulation? Is it worth looking dorky? Basically, we would rather take that bit of risk for convenience and appearance.
It's the same issue for Medic Alert Bracelets.
Job 1
Really, all the above is neither here nor there. Weight and weight loss have for many people been a DEFINING factor of their lives. WLS, really, doesn't change that for many people, they've been doing it so long that WLS, weight, weight loss, and hopefully weight maintenance continue to be Job 1.
It is more of a mindset issue, the prominence you want your WLS to play in your life. Some people want WLS and eating to be Job 1, like it was pre-op. I want it to play a very little role.
UPDATE:
OK, I was convinced that I need something to speak for me when I can't, so I looked at the Medic Alert jewelry, and decided on a Necklace:
Tek (Not my real name)
Allergy: Penicillin
RNY Gastric Bypass
No NSAIDs – Narcotics Freely
Buffet at Childs Price
Must carry Water
(Continued on Bracelet)
AND, a Bracelet:
(Continued from Necklace)
Do not Force Scope
Calcium Citrate Only
Must take Vitamins
Must use Baby Utensils while eating
No Time Released Medications (Except Narcotics)
Did I mention the Discount At Buffets?
(Continued on Other Bracelet)
AND, another Bracelet:
(Continued from Bracelet)
Don’t tell anyone… my RNY is a secret
Watch out for loose skin
Must Walk after Surgery
NO fluids during meals
Protein First
May I see the Children's Menu?
(See Anklet for more more)
AND, an Anklet:
(Continued from Bracelet)
Its not the easy way!
NO DIET SODA
Carbs are Evil
No Sugar
Beware of Noxious Gas
"Plateau Buster Diet" Tattooed on Chest
(See Necklace for more)
After all, If I'm unconscious, I don't want anything left to chance!
I believe that Medic Alert bracelets are:
1. Simply a way to draw attention to the surgery, to encourage people to ask about what the person professes to want keep private. "Oh, this?... I've had Gastric Bypass Surgery..."; or
2. Give people the illusion of control over the uncontrollable;
Medic Alert Bracelets and Necklaces are intended to speak for you when you are unable to. Thus, it only comes into play when you are UNCONSCIOUS in an EMERGENCY situation.
1. They make it look like jewelry, which emergency personal are NOT looking at for subtle or hidden messages, especially when they are trying to save your life.
2 "No N/G Tube" / "No Blind NG Tube", because if they insert a tube and upon encountering our pouch, FORCE IT, it could to major damage. WRONG. Anyone placing an N/G tube is trained to STOP when they encounter ANY resistance, and specifically NOT to force it. Further, N/G tubes are "virtually NEVER" (Which means extremely rarely, these were the words used by my local ER nurse) administered in emergency situations where the person is unconscious and unknown, as it is rarely a priority to put things into your stomach, which is the purpose of this tube. Further, I've seen the pictures of my pouch... 'pouch' is overstating the concept, so a tube would have to turn a right angle to puncture my pouch, which you must admit is not tube behavior. But that may only explain why my doc thinks them unnecessary, were someone with a different shape might have a different opinion.
3. "No NSAIDs". Yes, this is a HUGE problem, you're lying there unconscious and some EMT is trying to push Aspirin down your throat.
4. "Must Carry Water". Yes, I've seen this. The purpose is so the person can carry their water into movie theatres. Certainly not emergency situations.
When I run, I do wear a Dog tag style ID that will speak for me when I can't, since people around here hit runners with frightening frequency:
TEK (Not my Real Name)
LAS VEGAS, NV
ALLERGY: PENICILLIN
--- Flip Side ---
HOME: (702)xxx-xxxx
TEK-WIFE: (702)xxx-xxxx (Not her real name either)
PARENTS: (702)xxx-xxxx
This way, if I am unable to speak for myself, the authorities can QUICKLY and EASILY talk to someone who can speak for me.
"Better Safe Than Sorry"
The reason of last resort, "Its better safe than sorry". IF it is indeed better to be safe than sorry, then we should wear helmets while we drive. We are statistically far more likely to suffer a head injury that could be prevented by a helmet. IF you aren't wearing a helmet, then YOU don't believe its better to be safe than sorry.
Medic Alert bracelets are not intended for "Better Safe Than Sorry", they are intended to:
1) Alert emergency medical personnel of a medical condition that may be directly related to the situation they are addressing. Examples: Diabetic Shock, seizures, etc.
2) Alert emergency medical personnel of the potential danger of "normal" procedures. Example: Alergy to "safe" drugs;
Horror Stories
We've all read horror stories by nurses about such things as a Gastric Tube being forced and almost causing (or causing) injury to a 'normal' patient, imagine the damage to our 'altered intestines'! Think about this... They goofed up by abandoning their training and forcing the tube on the 'normal' person. Based on this experience, normal people should wear Medic Alert Bracelets with "Follow your Training!" on them.
Let's face it, Medical people, especially ER people, have seen it all. Yes, terrible things CAN and DO happen. When terrible things happen, no matter how RARE they are, the ER folks are going to see it... Again and Again. They don't see the MILLIONS of people it doesn't happen to. It can skew ones outlook.
Horror Stories are effective at moving people. Its difficult to move anyone with "... and everything was OK."
Risk and Convenience
All day every day we make decisions that involve risk. EVERYTHING involves risk, along with other things such as convenience and probability. Using the Helmet example earlier: Driving in a car has risk, one of which is an accident. The likelihood of an accident is low, but we wear convenient safety equipment like seatbelts (that in many cases are automatic, in other cases it is annoying not to wear them because of alarms).
A helmet would add safety. How likely is an accident? Low. Where Seatbelts would help? Lower. Where a helmet would help? Still lower. But is it worth the Inconvenience of hair getting messed up, air circulation? Is it worth looking dorky? Basically, we would rather take that bit of risk for convenience and appearance.
It's the same issue for Medic Alert Bracelets.
Job 1
Really, all the above is neither here nor there. Weight and weight loss have for many people been a DEFINING factor of their lives. WLS, really, doesn't change that for many people, they've been doing it so long that WLS, weight, weight loss, and hopefully weight maintenance continue to be Job 1.
It is more of a mindset issue, the prominence you want your WLS to play in your life. Some people want WLS and eating to be Job 1, like it was pre-op. I want it to play a very little role.
UPDATE:
OK, I was convinced that I need something to speak for me when I can't, so I looked at the Medic Alert jewelry, and decided on a Necklace:
Tek (Not my real name)
Allergy: Penicillin
RNY Gastric Bypass
No NSAIDs – Narcotics Freely
Buffet at Childs Price
Must carry Water
(Continued on Bracelet)
AND, a Bracelet:
(Continued from Necklace)
Do not Force Scope
Calcium Citrate Only
Must take Vitamins
Must use Baby Utensils while eating
No Time Released Medications (Except Narcotics)
Did I mention the Discount At Buffets?
(Continued on Other Bracelet)
AND, another Bracelet:
(Continued from Bracelet)
Don’t tell anyone… my RNY is a secret
Watch out for loose skin
Must Walk after Surgery
NO fluids during meals
Protein First
May I see the Children's Menu?
(See Anklet for more more)
AND, an Anklet:
(Continued from Bracelet)
Its not the easy way!
NO DIET SODA
Carbs are Evil
No Sugar
Beware of Noxious Gas
"Plateau Buster Diet" Tattooed on Chest
(See Necklace for more)
After all, If I'm unconscious, I don't want anything left to chance!
The information that the Medical Alert Bracelets must contain is as follows:
• YOUR NAME
• GASTRIC BAND
• NO BLIND NG TUBE/SCOPES
• NO NSAIDS
• NO SUGARS
• YOUR SURGEONS NAME AND CONTACT NUMBER
Rather than stating no sugars some people simply state diabetic of course this maybe the case. If you have any allergies you should also mention this. If you are an RNY patient then you should replace the term GASTRICT BAND with GASTRICT BYPASS.
This is what I found on the website about the bracelet, I guess its your choice as to whether you want to feel protected or not. The RN was not very versed in wls and said that it would be mentioned at their next meeting. Maybe in the US it is much more common. I just felt if I have gone to all this trouble I deserve to look after it as best possible. I live in a very small community and only a few of us have had this surgery in town. Thanks for all the input. Much appreciated.
• YOUR NAME
• GASTRIC BAND
• NO BLIND NG TUBE/SCOPES
• NO NSAIDS
• NO SUGARS
• YOUR SURGEONS NAME AND CONTACT NUMBER
Rather than stating no sugars some people simply state diabetic of course this maybe the case. If you have any allergies you should also mention this. If you are an RNY patient then you should replace the term GASTRICT BAND with GASTRICT BYPASS.
This is what I found on the website about the bracelet, I guess its your choice as to whether you want to feel protected or not. The RN was not very versed in wls and said that it would be mentioned at their next meeting. Maybe in the US it is much more common. I just felt if I have gone to all this trouble I deserve to look after it as best possible. I live in a very small community and only a few of us have had this surgery in town. Thanks for all the input. Much appreciated.
When was your surgery? Just asking, It usually says under your avatar the date of surgery and type of Bariatric surgery that was done.
I was just curious, you are welcome to tell me to mind my own. LOL!! I am prob to nosey anyway. I had the RNY in Oct of this year and it is helpful to know others that had the same one, especially if they had it before me. I always have "did this happen to you questions".
By the way, I think the Avatar is cute.
I was just curious, you are welcome to tell me to mind my own. LOL!! I am prob to nosey anyway. I had the RNY in Oct of this year and it is helpful to know others that had the same one, especially if they had it before me. I always have "did this happen to you questions".
By the way, I think the Avatar is cute.
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