Question:
Are we supposed to wear medic alert bracelets??

I saw a posting asking about what to include on the medic alert bracelet, but I didn't know we were supposed to wear one. Should I be wearing one? Gerianne RNY 1/29/03 150 pounds gone    — Gerianne D. (posted on April 6, 2004)

April 6, 2004
I think it's up to you. I wear one. I've had it on for 9 mos and forget it's even on. Mine says: RNY Bypass No blind gastric tube placement Use Scope It should also say: No NSAIDS But I forgot to write that. I guess I'll put in one a new one, if I ever need to get one.
   — mrsmyranow

April 6, 2004
My surgeon said it was unnecessary as the tubes they use in emergency rooms do not go down far enough to puncture the pouch....be interested in other responses...
   — Cindy R.

April 6, 2004
It is your choice. However, I carry a card in my wallet by my insurance cards from my doctor that says that I had gastric bypass.
   — ChristineB

April 6, 2004
cindy, I am an R.N. and have worked msny years in Er. Yes, we do put N/G tubes down in the ER for various reasons and yes, they do go down far enough to puncture your pouch. But keep in mind that the doctor or nurse is supposed to stop when they meet resistance pitting it down. One instance, well, actually two, that I have put N/g's down in the Er (1) was to use as levage (pumping stomach) of a young man who had drank too much and had alcohol poisening. (2) was a susspected drug overdose. (that was also a stomach pump). So you see, in certain cases, it is used in ER. Now, chances that it would be used in an ambulance are unlikely. The tube the EMT's would probably be using on you is an endotrachael tube (to help you breath) Like the one they use when you have surgery while you are under anesthesia. This tube DOES NOT go into your stomach. It is a very short tube. However, knowing all this, I do not have a medical ID bracelet. Don't know if i will get one. I might. I do know that in an emerengcy 9sp) or trauma situation, things happen so fast that it might even get overlooked. The only time they pay attention to what jewerly or clothing you are wearing is when it is in the way and they have to cut it away to work on you. And even a wallet card might not be foubnd in time to keep er staff from messing your pouch up. While they are already working on you, someone else is going thru your personal belongings to try to Id you. Assuming you are unable to speak. i just don't worry too much about it because our pouch is tougher than you think and I have never heard of anyones stomach being ruptered with an n/g tube. Of course our pouches are stapled and sewn so there is a seam of some kind there that might be weakened.
   — Delores S.

April 6, 2004
I have one and think it is a very good idea for it you never now what will happen or were mine says Beth Ashley GASTRIC BYPASS NO N/G TUBE W/O ENDOS NO NSAIDS I got it at makemethis.com it was only 5.95 and that was with shiping & handling I got a childs size and it was like 3 sizes to big for me so I got my own beads and stuff from walmart and made my own braclet for they sell them on other site made like mine is nw for 30 dollars or more it was very cheap what I did with mine and looks like the ones you get off the high priced sites Take Care Huggs Beth
   — wildbrat

April 6, 2004
What does "no NSAIDS" mean?
   — Suzanna M.

April 6, 2004
What does "no NSAIDS" mean?
   — Suzanna M.

April 6, 2004
NSAIDs = Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, i.e. - Ibuprofen (generic) or Motrin, Nuprin (brand names).
   — sweetmana

April 7, 2004
I do not have a bracelet. My surgeon had told me that there was nothing they would do to you differently in an emergency situation. The NG tube puncture risk is the same for anybody-surgery or not. And if you really needed it in an emergency situation, they would do it anyway. The No NSAIDS situation is kind of the same. Avoiding NSAIDS is supposed to keep you from developing stomach irritation, but it's mostly over the long haul. If an NSAID were administered to you, first of all, it wouldn't kill you, but maybe, and not always, give you a little irritation. Personally a motrin doesn't bother me at all, some people it doesn't. But more important, for it to irritate your stomach, you would have to be conscious enough to swallow it, in which case you could refuse verbally. I do continue to carry a card in my wallet that explains the surgery I've had, but it's mostly for illustration for friends and wait-staff. So the bracelet is pretty much a moot point-yes, a bracelet makes some people feel safer, but it's also fairly useless. By all means buy one if you've been spooked about it and it would make you feel better. Personally, I don't think it's worth the investment and hassle of trying to remember to wear it everyday.
   — christied

April 7, 2004
My surgeon said it was not something I needed to worry about.
   — TheresaC

April 7, 2004
Well, we had a discussion about this on the March 04 board and I still contend a strategically placed tattoo would do the trick! ROFL! Maybe I'll get one like those road signs where it shows a profile of a person with a tube going into the stomach with a big red circle and slash through it! LOL
   — Dinka Doo

April 7, 2004
Well... the day my surgeon gave me a card to place in my wallet with the warning about the NG tube, I figured if it was important enough for him to even mention it, it warranted a medic alert tag. But an interesting thing is, the card also had a statement that saying I should be allowed to order from the children's menu or be allowed to share a plate when dining out in a restaurant. Of the two statements, I think the child's menu is more often needed! (LOL)
   — Windy Pat

April 7, 2004
It is up to you. I felt I wanted one. By registering with Medic Alert, they have all the medicines I take and the doses on file as well as notification and other pertinent info. I got the child's size because I have a small frame even with all the weight on it. It says "Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass. Call Medic Alert". I had the tag reworked into a bracelet using labyderite stones and I just love it. I never take it off. I felt it was worth the fee of $35 and $20 per year; especially with my medical history and prescription info. Linda
   — lbwales

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