Medical alert

i was wondering what i need to do for a medical alert...meaning what do i put on it....other than i had gastric bypass....can anyone tell me who already had this operation and have one...thanks

Good question, I whant to know to!

RNY
No Sugar/No Blind NG Tube/No NSAIDS

I think that is it .... unless someone else has something else to add.

thanks tammy.....

Hi Tammy - not sure what type of nursing you do, but in your experience do people wear these.  Never thought of this before.

Are one of these necessary ? or only if you want one

In the example I saw it had...

your full name
RNY gastric bypass
No blind NG tube
No NSAIDS, No sugar
ICE # (in case of emergency number)
surgeon's name

I asked my surgeon if I should get one, and he said it wasn't really necessary, but that some people do have them.

Linda C.

There's a website that can help:

www.laurenshope.com

Here you can order your ID.  And here's an example they give of what to put on it:

JOHN SMITH
GASTRIC BYPASS 7/06
NO NG TUBE / NSAIDS
816-555-5555 DR

I did mine:

MY NAME
RNY GASTRIC BYPASS
NO BLIND NG TUBES
USE CAUTION:  NSAIDS
ICE: (Hubby's Cell Number)

I only ordered the tag, and plan on making the bracelet myself.

I actually had a discussion with my doctor about this and he said not to put "no sugar" because he said someone may be reluctant to give you something with sugar in a situation that is urgent (such as you are passed out with low blood sugar) where they can't ask you for more details.  He said he would be reluctant to put "no NSAIDS" for a similar reason.  Both are things to be avoided, but they won't kill you like an allergic reaction would. 

He suggested having an ICE card in my wallet with all those details and explanations.  He said I could even put "ICE card in wallet" on the bracelet and then emergency personelle would be sure to look for it before treating (where possible).

Just something to think about....

Both my family Doctor and Dr Reed in Guelph felt this was completely unnecessary.  They both said that in an emergency there would be no need for them to know I had RNY, not sure why but I'm not a Doctor and figure they are the experts.  Not sure if other centers recommend them but maybe ask since I have seen the point made on here a few times about the risk of putting no sugar and no NSAIDS.