Medical Alert Bracelet...

Good Idea? or Not?

I am just wondering how many people have this or something like it? I am considering getting one. Or if anyone knows if something like this? 

~Lisa

The jury seems to be out on this topic.  I had my 3 month post-op check up on June 24 at TWH, and they strongly suggested I get one.  I've seen other posts on OH indicating that their clinics don't necessarily recommend it. 

 

I think I'll get one, too. 

I already had one for my cardiac arrest needed to be known along with my implanted ICD, my surgeon said they are a good idea to have but really only if you have other conditions you need known. 

I got one after it being highly recommended by my surgeon, NP and my cousin who is a paramedic in Ottawa.  I have since checked with the chief of ER in my local hospital and he confirmed it is a good idea.  

The premise of those against it I think is it will prevent proper emergency procedures being done, for example if an NSAID would save your life they will watch you die because your braclet says not to give them.  I am told that is ridiculous, that ER docs/nurses will work to save you the same as anyone else, but with the knowledge of our reworked internal organs will provide more effective treatment as they will then know what they are dealing with.  I am also told that the short list of do not's the medic alert will give can easily be replaced with other meds/procedures that should not harm us due to our WLS, yet save our skins.  I am told by the local ER chief that easily finding the surgeon who did my RNY(which MA will provide) could be an extremely valuable tool as the medical folks working on you may (and likely) need some expert input on your treatment.

Good hunting for accurate information, it is a topic that has WLS folks divided.  

I highly suggest putting minimal info on it if you get one like surgery type and date. Allergies etc

I won't wear mine because I put the standard lines on it and now it will cause me more harm than good.  I put no sugars and now it can help revive me when I become hypoglycemic.  I personally would not have bought it.  

Dawn

I have one and don't leave home without it!  Mine just says Gastric Bypass and a list of my other allergies. 

A medic alert bracelet is a good idea. You can put minimal information on it and have the details in your Medic Alert file, available to ER staff when they call Medic Alert (such as date of surgery, surgeon, etc). It's important for paramedics and ER staff to have as full a picture as they can get when you are unable to speak for yourself.

I would also recommend using ICE (In Case of Emergency) in your cell phone contacts. If an emergency services professional is trying to locate your emergency contact person they can scroll through your contact list and quickly identify the person you want notified. It might be: "ICE Mum & Dad", "ICE Sarah", etc.

The whole idea behind the medic alert bracelet for Gastric Bypass Patients, is that if they every have to intubate you, in an emergency, that they are aware of the procedure because they could rupture your pouch with the tube. This isn't to say they wouldn't do the procedure, but they may use a shorter tube than they normally would and they certainly would be aware if they needed to be extra careful or do a different procedure.

I got mine last week.  It just says No blind NG, BPD with DS, Diabetic (which I hope to be able to remove very soon).

 

Susan

I have a wallet card with a list of my medications on the back, and my doctors phone numbers on the front. Seriously, If they see the scars on my stomach it might be a clue.....Someone hacked into my medic alert and provided false information about me to that company which then got relayed INCORRECTLY to a doctor who had no clue...

 

On an similar note...I WALKED into an emergency room with all the symptoms of a stroke, and the person at the desk thought I was some one who was either mentally delayed or drunk. I wound up beng hospitalized for three days because I passed out in the lobby before they could get their heads out of their rumps

Medical people are usually too busy or disinterested to take the time to read a medic alert. IMHO it's some company selling piece of mind and making money at customers expense.