Do you wear a medic alert bracelet?

I was wondering if it's really necessary to wear a medic alert bracelet. I saw some cute ones the other day, but I wasn't sure if it's really necessary. How many of you do? And if you do, what do you put on the bracelet? Thanks in advance for your advice. Joni

I don't believe it necessary, and don't wear one. However, when I run I don't carry my wallet, so I don't have ID, so I do wear a 'dogtag' that has: Tek (Not my real name) Las Vegas, NV Allergy: PCN ---- Phone: (702)xxx-xxxx Tek-Wife: (702)xxx-xxxx (not her real name either) Parents: (623)xxx-xxxx If I am unconcious or incoherent, this information will get them in touch with people that know all about me and can give any necessary permissions. Tek

No, I really have never thought it was important for me. In my case, other than a small pouch instead of a large stomach, I have no medical conditions. This is one of those decisions that are best left to personal choice. Bek

As a bariatric patient, your LIFE depends on you wearing a bracelet ! (1) You now have a pouch, which if perforated, will cause DEATH is not caught in time. Your id should read: NG Tube with Endoscope ONLY (2) NSAIDs can ulcerate your pouch and if you are unconscious, and taken the hospital and given NSAIDs, your pouch can become ulcerated but the iv meds before they figure out that you are a bariatric patient. Your id should read: NO NSAIDs (3) It is very important for the Medics to know that you are a bariatric patient and what type of surgery you had. Youd id should read: RNY Gastric Bypass VAL

My surgeon said it isnt necessary but it doesnt hurt either. BUT, I have read where a few people have had the really pretty ones on and they were not noticed as Medic Alert bracelets.

I don't wear one. My surgeon said it isn't necessary and it makes sense to me. I think Tek's idea of a tag to wear while jogging/running makes perfect sense. I'm allergic to penn. too and that is probably more important than the gastric bypass thing. I don't think it is necessary to put anything on there about NSAIDS--it's not like they are gonna kill you if given. Just my opinion.

Thanks for everyone's opinion. To be honest, no one in my gastric bypass support group wears one, so I was wondering how well used they are among the OH community -- it seems somewhat split. I know my brother had a different kind of surgery recently, and they had real trouble getting the tube in, and they told him he should get a medic alert bracelet for that as well. They should only use fiber optic tubes for him like we should. My mom starting bugging me that we should both get bracelets, so I was just wondering what everyone else did. I saw a real pretty one with old fashioned typewriter keys, but I also worried it might not even look like a medic alert bracelet -- which someone else already pointed out. Whew....there's a lot to think about. Thanks for everyone's input!!!!! Joni

While doing research on WLS 3yrs ago... I came across this poster who posted on this subject. I copied the info and placed it on my own profile. here's what was said at their support meeting. -------- EMS Spoke on Medical WLS Braclets Being Worn- "I keep seeing again and again on the websites and also in this last update, where people are confusing an endotracheal tube (which we EMT's use to provide an airway in an emergency) and a nasogastric tube, which goes into the stomach to suction unwanted fluids. An ET tube is nowhere close to long enough to do any damage to the pouch. My concern is that this could cause confusion in an emergency and contribute to a tragedy. The first aim for any ems personnel is to protect a patient's airway, and sometimes intubation is the only way to do that. If it's a choice between death or hurting my pouch, I'll get the pouch repaired after the fact." And in response to that, our surgeon gave this reply: "Warren - Thanks for that clarification - you expressed my sentiments exactly - I think this medic alert is inappropriate - there is really nothing that should or would be changed in a life-threatening situation based upon someone having had a gastric bypass procedure." ------ So nope I dont do wls braclets... deb

NSAIDS won't kill you, but if they stick a blind NG tube down your nose, the damage to your stomach could be quite serious. The pouch is not big enough. My medic alert says "Gastric Bypass - No blind NG tube" I'm not worried about meds like I am about that nasogastric tube being shoved down my nose and poking a hole in my tiny tummy, but like you said - it is a matter of personal choice and I choose not to run the risk. Good luck and God bless

Nope, don't have one. We were told that the EMTs do not just shove those tubes down the nose into the stomach with such force to rupture anything. Talk to some EMTs about it and you may feel better about the procedure. And I agree that a dose of NSAIDS will not harm us and we would most likely be alert to warn anyone before more doses were given. But, if the bracelet gives you a feeling of safety and security, please get one.