Question:
Is it really reccomended to get a medic alert bracelet post-op?

What do you put in it if you get one? "Gastric bypass" or something else?    — [Anonymous] (posted on February 22, 2002)

February 22, 2002
Did you check the library? This question is asked quite frequently. There are some really good answers to your question there. I typed "bracelet" into the search and I got this page http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/dbsearch.phtml Hope this helps. Shelley
   — Shelley.

February 22, 2002
I got one that says "Penicillan" Allergy on one line and "Gastric Bypass NO NG tupe w/out scope" on the other.
   — Laura M.

February 22, 2002
I ordered one from my Walgreen's. bracelet, or necklace was 9.99$ and they ship it to you. It will say what ever you want it to say. Mine just says Gastric Bypass.
   — Connie M.

February 22, 2002
I used to think it was a good idea. However, someone mentioned that it is highly unlikely that emergency personnel would actually put a tube into your stomach. Down your throat to help you breath, but that tube does not go into the stomach. Having said that, I would remind everyone that, the purpose of a medical bracelet is to alert emergency personnel that you have a problem they need to pay attention to. Getting a bracelet because it doesn't look 'medical' defeats the purpose. Also, wallet cards are not checked by emergency personnel. They're busy trying to take care of you and will not take the time to look for a card and that's IF they can even find it.
   — garw

February 23, 2002
This is kind of a funny story. I bought a medic alert necklace and was wearing it the first time my best friend came to visit. Over lunch she says,"what the heck are you wearing on your neck". When I told her she goes "oh my gosh that is the ugliest thing I've ever seen please take it off." I laughed so hard and became kind of self conscious about it, I haven't worn it since! She also said it gave her the feeling that any moment I would collapse in a heap and she would have to call an ambulance. Every time I see that necklace tarnishing in my jewelry box I have a big laugh.
   — lori T.

February 23, 2002
I just brought this up at a support group meeting in Marquette, Michigan yesterday....... are you from that group? lol I was told to get a bracelet that says "Gastric Bypass. NO NG tube w/o Scope." This is not for a respirator, this is in case you are injured seriously in a car accident and have to have an NG tube into your stomach for internal bleeding. Without the hospital staff knowing about our gastric bypass they would continue to push the NG tube down, not expecting it to stop at our sternum, and would push through our pouch. That is a pretty scary thought to me. If the pouch was punctured, it would empty into our abdomen and then there would be big troubles. Has it scared me enough for me to order one yet? No! (But I'm going to.) Hope this helps. Laurie-UP-MI
   — Laurie L.

February 24, 2002
I just want to add my 2cents to this discussion. I, too, have been tossing around the idea of a medic alert bracelet and haven't made a decision yet. BUT i DO want to say that if you have good paramedics, THEY DO CHECK WALLET CARDS. I worked with paramedics for YEARS and they are TRAINED to do this because the do not want to administer medications without knowing what the patient takes and/or is allergic to. My father had a VERY serious accident this past year and when paramedics came even though my mother and I were both there, they went through his wallet. They look for things like lists of medicines, records of living wills, alerts and emergency contact numbers. I carry an emergency card and feel very confident that it will be looked at. BE SURE TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE AN EMERGENCY CARD or it may be overlooked. Print the word "EMERGENCY INFORMATION" in bright colorful letters all around it and place it in a place where it will be easily be found - don't hide it behind your checkbook. Anyhow... that's my 2cents for what it's worth.
   — Laura B.

February 24, 2002
I have to respond to Laura. If you are in a car accident, your purse or wallet may not be accessible. It may be under the car, or it may have been thrown a long way away. I just can't fathom that paramedics would take the time to look for it, rather than getting you to the hospital as soon as they could. If the purse or wallet was right there, that's a different story. I would much rather rely on the bracelet or necklace. I wear a bracelet because of my diabetes and like it much better than wearing a necklace. It's not so obvious on my arm, but emergency personnel would look for it there.
   — garw