Question:
do i need a medic alert bracelet

hello all i was wondering if anyone gotten an medcial bracelet to let others know in case of emerg.and you are unable to talk that u had wls.and if so what all did u put on it i'm thinking about getting one but have no more problem s just want need to let someone know i had it so they will be aware also i'm a donor organ person.thanks    — MRS. HONEY (posted on June 6, 2004)

June 6, 2004
Hi, my doctor said there was no reason for a medic alert bracelet. On June 1, 2004, I went to the hospital with pneumonia and ended up going into Accute Respiratory failure. Because of this, they quickly intubated me (put a breathing tube down my throat) I have been gaining weight since the surgery and wondered if my stapling was damaged. After tests, the doctors think that the extra air pressure in the breathing tube burst some of my staples, so I having the surgery redone. Although this was a problem, the hospital knew about my stomach stapleing and if they had to do it over again, they would. After all, they were looking at someone who had stopped breathing and was in a coma. So, even though an emergancy procedure damaged the surgery, it sure was better than the alternative. Have you ever heard from anyone else about this medic alert question?
   — Angie D.

June 6, 2004
Well, I have asthma, so I've always worn a medical alert bracelet. However, I got another couple lines inscripted on my bracelet after surgery: No NSAIDS and No blind NG tube. It's better to be safe than sorry, I say. They have really cute ones at http://www.laurenshope.com and they're so adorable you won't even feel like you're wearing a health bracelet-they're trendy. :)
   — jenn_jenn

June 6, 2004
This question pops up periodically on this site and you'll get different opinions as with everything else. Some say yes you need it, some say no you don't. I did the research and concluded that I felt better with one. My son is a paramedic and he said it might help, might not, but it certainly wouldn't hurt anything so I decided, since I travel a LOT and might be away from my regular doctor/hospital and have an accident, it would just be a good source of information for emergency responders in an emergency. I wish I had thought to add the part about organ donor to mine. If I have to have it redone at some point, I'm going to add that.
   — scbabe

June 6, 2004
Hi, yes i recommend a medical bracelet, I always wore a necklace for my diabetes and Hep c. After wls I no longer have diabetes, however I feel much more at ease with my new bracelet. It states my medical info with hep c and no g blind tube, rny patient. and even purchased one for my son with his allergies and asthma. I got them at www.makemethis.com cheap prices but work very well. I was very impressed with them and their prices. Very affordable and useable. Hope this helps. Patricia 9-30-03 314/181
   — pateblkbrn

June 7, 2004
I got a Medic-Alert bracelet when I had my RNY surgery in March. I've heard horror stories about tubes being put down your throat and poking a hole in the pouch. A lot of people think it is not needed, but I would rather be safe than sorry! Since I have no other medical issues, when Medic-Alert engraved my bracelet they wrote ROUX-EN-Y GASTRIC BYPASS CALL MEDICALERT ID# I'm glad I got it, even though it isn't the most beautiful bracelet in the world.
   — Julie Rich

June 7, 2004
I already had a medic alert bracelet for diabetes before my RNY surgery but I did update my file with them an added 'Gastric bypass--no NG tubes' to my medical information with them. They do have some pretty bracelets in sterling silver but they cost about $120 or more. I think its a good idea to have a bracelet to identify your medical condition, whatever it may be.
   — tbarclay

June 7, 2004
I own a medical ID bracelet and I wear it 24/7. The average price is about 35.00 for silver/australian crystal or gold beads. They do the engraving free. I found them on Ebay. They are creativemedicalid.com. They even sell the strands seperately. So once you've got your tag you can easily change out the beads for different colors and configurations. Happy hunting. Hope this helps. 10/20/03 -77lbs
   — eprise616