Question:
Do RNY Patients Need to Wear Medic Alert Bracelets?

I've heard WLS patients say that we needed to wear Medic Alert Bracelets in the event we needed to be intubated. Apparently we should only be intubated with pediatric size tubes. Is this true? I spoke with my surgeon about it and he said he saw no need or reason to wear Medic Alert Bracelets. I trust him but then again, he's only human. Are there any other reasons specifically related to WLS that we would need to wear a Medic Alert Bracelet? Please educate me!! Thanks alot!    — [Anonymous] (posted on January 26, 2002)

January 25, 2002
I saw no reason to wear one either. But, there was this man that I know that had too much air blown into his stomach during an endoscopy, that it blew out his staples, blew a whole in the side of his stomach, which caused in infection. The doctor that did the endoscopy was suppossed to dialate a stricture, but he overestimated the size of the pouch. Imagine what could happen if he was unconscious and wasn't able to tell the doctors or nurses of his condition? Scarry! Anyways, he is having the surgery re-done in March. When he came to our support meeting, he could only cry while telling us what happened. After that I decided that I needed one. Just incase. It's a one-time expense and a little extra security. I bought mine at www.goldware-id.com I bought a silver necklace because gold was too pricey!
   — [Anonymous]

January 25, 2002
I am preop (surgery is March 4) and I wasn't going to get an ID bracelet until I read a post that someone put on Obesity Help.com. They explained about being unconscience after an accident and if the ambulance attendants didn't know about your new stomach there could be serious results. I ordered one for $20.00 and have that weight off of my mind now. Better to be safe than sorry. Good Luck
   — marcia W.

January 26, 2002
My doctor gave me a 'medical emergancy' card that I carry in my wallet, up front where it can easily be seen in case of an emergancy. If I had a bracelet or necklace, the one time I would need it would be the one time I forgot to put it on that morning, lol! Do what you feel comfortable with :)
   — DonnaCarol

January 26, 2002
I wasn't sure if I wanted to wear one or not, so I ordered one online for $10 (http://www.identifind.com/labels4.html) and if you sign up with Pay Pal, Pay Pal gives you $5. So it really only costs you $5. I figure I can wear it a few times to see if it bothers me. Couldn't hurt.
   — Goldilauxx B.

January 29, 2002
I had my Lap RNY on 1/7/02 and I have chosen to wear a medic alert bracelet. I am not afraid of being intubated(the tubes are not long enough to reach your pouch if it were to accidentally go down your esophagus instead of your trachea). Also, the chances of a person needing a nasogastric (NG)tube in an emergency is pretty much nil. I wear one because if I am ever involved in a motor vehicle accident and I had internal bleeding that required surgery, I want them to know that my insides are re-arranged. I do not want a surgeon to waste precious time trying to figure out how I am put together. My bracelet simply says "proximal Roux-en-y gastric bypass".
   — Barbara H.