Medical Bracelet

I assume we are all suppose to wear one of these since surgery. What should it say on it? If you put VSG on it do you think the medics would know what that means or should it be wrote out? Thanks Elaine

I wouldn't count on any emergency medical professional knowing what VSG means.  I have told many medical prof.s that I had a partial gastrectomy for bariatric reasons and they had no clue what I was talking about.  Instead, I'd list the things like "no blind NG tube" and maybe "dehydration risk" (although personally, I don't think that the latter needs to be on there.  If you are coherent, they you could tell them yourself.  If you're  unconscious, then they'd have you on an IV anyway).

I don't know that many VSG folks actually wear these Medial Bracelets, unless they have some other medical conditions also.  I do keep my surgery card in my wallet, but I don't wear a medical alert ID.  I figure that I'd never remember to put in on, so why bother.  And I've been told that emergency medics will go through your wallet, so I keep my surgery card where it's highly visible.

Peace,
Rana

I asked Dr. Cirangle if VSG people needed one at the last support group and he said No.  So I'm going by what he says.   

I have been interested in this question as well.  I have heard very different answers and opinions, but one unanimous answer is that just listing "VSG" is pointless, they probably won't know what it means or what the implications are.  If you do get one, list your actual restrictions (such as No Blind NG Tube), not just the name of the surgery.  Here is a LINK to a thread about this very topic.  (I still haven't decided if I'm going to get one yet!)

I was given medical alert bracelet info at my pre-op class. I was told that it is adivisable to wear one, but not really told what to have printed on it. We were given a brochure where you could order one that is a little more stylish too. I agree about putting VSG on it. Every Dr., nurse, etc. that I have mentioned it to have asked me what it is. My question, though, is what is a "blind NG tube" anyway?

Most Nasogastric Tubes (NGTs)  (or orogastric - OGTs) are inserted by feel - not directly looking.  This is why it's called "blind".  You can't see where you're going - you know you're in the right place when you either get gastric secretions out or hear an air bubble over the stomach when you push air in through the tube. 

Hope that helps!   Katt

Thanks, Katt. It does help. Sounds like something worth having on a bracelet.

FYI, I'm an EMT here is take on the NG tubes...They are measured outside the body and are inserted through your nose into your stomach.  This is most often used (by EMS) to pump out toxins or decompression.  These are only used in an EMERGENCY so if your life depends on it then you're going to get one regardless if your bracelet says not to.  Hope the info helps.   Blue

Hi, Rana is correct.  I worked as a clerk in an ER, and we DO go through the wallets/purses to get ID and ins. info if the person is out of it

Hi-I ordered one-actually they are dog tags-I can wear them underneath everything-I was told that this was the best way to immediately alert help of a difference-EMT's/paramedics I was told are trained to look for those, but don't usually have time to go through a wallet.  I put on mine-surgically altered stomach-no NG tubes Jeanne