gcmy #1

[gcmy]

I had surgery 3 weeks ago. We were given information about medical jewelry. Is it necessary? Can not having it cause an EMT or Doctor to harm you unnecessarily?

[54Shirley]

You should have gotten a Medical Card One side the hospital name, and Bariatric Patient. Other side is for restaurants to see that you can't eat as much as them, so,,, you get your meal the way you can eat it, and or cheaper in price. This card is for your wallet, and I know because I have one. If your surgeon doesn't give one,,, I would say I want one ! I show my card, and save. Also he can be reached. Otherwise I would wear jewelery. They need to know that all that is in there.

[Cocoabean]

I wore a bracelet for the first few years. It says Adjustable gastric band with abdominal port. No blind NG. So they know that there is a small hole into my stomach if they have to insert a tube down my nose into my stomach. It also lets EMTs/emergency personnel know what the port is, they might think it is a tumor or something.

I took it off a few months ago for a formal dinner and just haven't put it back on.

I don't carry the restaurant card. I either share with my DH, order from appetizer menu, or take leftovers home for lunch. I am sort of funny, I share my band story with everyone, but don't want to make an issue of it at a restaurant. I did ask once at Outback Steakhouse if I could order off the child's menu because I'd had gastric surgery. They said sure, for a $2.00 upcharge. Which makes the smaller portioned kid's meal as much as an adult meal. So I got the adult meal and a doggie bag. Their pork ribs reheat really well!

[gcmy]

Thanks for the information!

[Dave_NW]

I recently ordered a custom-made pendant from these people: http://www.stickyj.com/ I got item AX3023, a narrow, shiny stainless steel dog-tag style with the Medic Alert symbol on one side, and three lines of engraved text on the other: "Lap Band Patient" "No blind NG tubes" and "Penicillin Allergy" (All text was without the quotes) I figured I'd cover all the bases. They were great to deal with, excellent communication, very fast order processing and shipment, and very good quality workmanship on the piece. They have lots of designs to choose from, or you can make something custom just for you. I gladly recommend them, and I'd definitely order from them again.

Dave

[jen120]

Wow, no one ever mentioned this to me. Maybe I should get something.

[54Shirley]

If something happened like a Heart Attack "so they think" could have fainted O.K.... It would stop them from beating on your chest, and hurting all the work you had done.
Not to mention the pain, and then the repair work.
I have a card, but I mgiht invest in the jewelry myself.

[gcmy]

I like the narrow stainless steel dog tag you bought. Another company is Lauren's Hope Medical ID Bracelets. They have bracelets and watches. www.LaurensHope.com.

[Cindy C]

54Shirley, on July 16, 2011 - 12:40 PM, said:

You should have gotten a Medical Card One side the hospital name, and Bariatric Patient. Other side is for restaurants to see that you can't eat as much as them, so,,, you get your meal the way you can eat it, and or cheaper in price. This card is for your wallet, and I know because I have one. If your surgeon doesn't give one,,, I would say I want one ! I show my card, and save. Also he can be reached. Otherwise I would wear jewelery. They need to know that all that is in there.

You can order a card directly from Allergan. https://www.lapband....profile/idcard/

[Debora Anne]

I have a charm bracelt - Since I do nto want to wear a "medical bracelet" I have a medical charm with lapband patient and surgery date engraved on it

[pinknsassyemt]

As an EMT this is on my QUICK purchase list... I have been intubated for severe allergies many times, and all of my coworkers strongly suggested it because of the BLIND NG.. I have had one before, and trust me the shove until it goes down which could cause potential band damage. Better safe then sorry!@

[SumthinsGottaGive]

Wow..this is great info to know. I hadn't even thought about this before. Thanks for posting this.

[suzahhn]

Dave_NW, on July 16, 2011 - 4:33 PM, said:

I recently ordered a custom-made pendant from these people: http://www.stickyj.com/ I got item AX3023, a narrow, shiny stainless steel dog-tag style with the Medic Alert symbol on one side, and three lines of engraved text on the other: "Lap Band Patient" "No blind NG tubes" and "Penicillin Allergy" (All text was without the quotes) I figured I'd cover all the bases. They were great to deal with, excellent communication, very fast order processing and shipment, and very good quality workmanship on the piece. They have lots of designs to choose from, or you can make something custom just for you. I gladly recommend them, and I'd definitely order from them again.

Dave

Awesome, thanks! I've been looking for some good medical jewelry!

[Trish151]

What is blind ng?

[Cocoabean]

NG is a naso-gastric tube, one they put down your nose into your stomach. The fear is that due to the small hole into your stomach created by the band that some damage can be done to your stomach by the tube they use. A scope can be used to help guide them in the placement. A 'blind' placement is done by just pushing the tube up your nose and into your stomach.

[54Shirley]

Thank You ! That clears things up for me to.

Shirley.

[roziecakes]

I have the wallet card, but I have been considering getting the bracelet, especially because I travel a lot, and if I didn't have my partner with me, and something happened, the EMTs would need to know somehow.

[Trish151]

Oh, that sounds painful. Ok, I guess I'll get a charm. Someone else said something about a charm bracelet. I actually have a charm anklet. I read right after my surgery where people where making charm bracelets so I bought the one for my ankle and a bunch of charms that I like. Every time I lose 10 lbs, I get to add a charm. Just a little motivational thing. It's cool when people ask you about it and you get to explain. Plus, you get to add the charms that represent something to you.

[54Shirley]

Thats a nice idea.

[shakey88]

I bought a bracelet from Lauren's Hope and no one knows that it is a medical ID bracelet which is great! What I also like about it is that you can change out the actual bracelet beings they are clasped onto the id, so I can buy various bracelets to wear depending on the occasion, but only had to purchase one medical id thingy! I have actual received compliments on the bracelet without any knowing it is a medical ID one beings my ID usually falls to the underside of my wrist! Also, when I ordered it, I had it 3 days later! It was nice and comes with a little velvet bag to keep it in!