[fr1endly2]

JUST curious everyones views on medical
alert bracletes for gastric bypass patience.
IM thinking of getting another one have worn
one since my surgery june 2005..

curious are others wearing them?
or if you havent had surgery you thinking
or wearing it then?

thanks in advance

fr1endly2
310/173/???

[freebird]

There was no thought about it for me other than i am definitly going to be wearing one after the surgery. We don't like to dwell on bad things happening but if anything ever happens where you can't talk and nobody knows you it may be a life saving thing. That's what i think anyway.

[CraigT]

Bird, you hit on the single biggest point. Thanks

[DocSanae]

From the receiving end, it helps very much to have something that we can use for quick reference when we receive patients needing emergency treatment, that we see for the first time. It makes a world of difference to know of any specific condition of the patient, and where to contact in case of emergencies. If you are conscious and can answer any and all necessary Qs, fine, but what if something happens where you lose your consciousness--as in car accidents, etc.?　 And there is no one around who can tell the drs/nurses about you. Even if you are conscious, you may have temporary memory imparement, or be simply be in a panic to be able to think cleary.

I would suggest that ANYONE with specific medical conditions that have to be taken into account when treating, to carry some form of Med Alert IDs, and also keep with you a list of any medication you are taking, and the dosage if possible, with your ID, driver's license, or what ever emergency personnel checks to confirm your ID.

Another thing that comes in handy in emergencies are cell phones. It serves as a good place of info for important phone numbers. Along with a med alert bracelet, I suggest you file phone numbers of people that you want contacted in case of emergencies under a separate grouping, and name it something like "Emergency" or "Alert numbers" or whatever, so any authorized person can find whom to get in touch with quickly. This is from my own experince, as we often resort to checking people's cell phones in emergencies. As a matter of fact, right now, I am preparing with my brother, cell phones for our parents, not for daily use in communications, but with the primary objective of our being able to receive news quickly in case of emergencies, since they are in their 80s, and still living by themselves.

[LittleLisaMarie]

Hi Lisa! I am in the process of getting one, just keep forgetting. They are very important and as a nurse i have seen them come in very helpful when treating someone. My only recomendation is that you do not buy a fancy, expensive one. Unfortunatly in the world we live in there are people that are not so nice. If something happens{which i pray never does} and you are laying in the street you dont want to tempt a not so nice person to help themselves to a nice gold bracelet. But they are very improtant and i highly recomend them for anyone with any kind of medical condition.

[freebird]

Doc, i never thought of the cell phone thing, good idea thanks. I also carry medical info and who to contact in case of emergency, the name and phone number of my family doctor and wishes as to life support and stuff in my wallet just in case.
i never thought of it before but should i put narcolepsy and sleep apnea on my medical alert? Diabetes i know how many thing s will they put on a medical alert bracelet anyways?

[DocSanae]

freebird, if you are taking meds for narcolepsy/sleep apnea, yes, if you have space to put it in. If not, at least have it in your med info. Even though it isn't as of immediate need like diabetes--because of insulin and stuff, and things that shouldn't be in IV drips--it will be of help to know potential dangers. Besides, narcolepsy/sleep apnea can't be diagnosed by blood tests, so it will be easily overlooked without the info available.

[freebird]

ok this maybe should be under stupid questions but since it's related i'll put it here, where and how does one go about getting a medical alert bracelet. If i'm gonna get one with everything including the weight loss surgery im going be getting do i have to wait till after or can i get it now and thenjust start wearing it after?

[DocSanae]

There's one in the eStore.
I think lisa was contemplating getting one from there.

[LittleLisaMarie]

Yes they have some cute ones that are not to expensive in the estore. They also have one you can wear on your neck. I am going to order one of the bracelets.