Poll: Medical ID Bracelet

[Megg40 0]

Do you have a medical ID Bracelet for having a lap band???

Yes?

No?

Consider getting one?

Meg

[Manda87 3]

I really don't see a point of getting one. Unless you're in some kind of accident... My surgeon told me to tell doctors to not put a stomach tube in my belly. But honestly, if it were life vs. death, it would be a different story.

[LollyMoe 1]

Manda, how can you "plan" a life or death situation? It's better to be safe than sorry later.

[Cocoabean 430]

Mine says "Gastric Lap-Band with Abdominal Port, No NG W/O Scope" and has my ICE contact.

In CPR training I went through recently I spoke with the paramedic. My port is located where it could potentially interfere with an AED, so it is good for them to know it is there.

Also, I figure that emergency folk might wonder what the tumor under my skin is if not explained easily, even with the scar.

In a recent visit to Urgent Care and a separate conversation with an ER doctor, none had seen a band patient before. The more info they have, the better, in my book.

[Mangofish 1]

Wow. This is actually a good idea esp. since CPR could wreak havoc on us. I remember a poster on here mentioned she was in a car accident and her band flipped. I may have to look into getting one.

[adagray 1]

I've thought about it, but it would annoy me so much to wear a Bracelet all the time. Are there other options? I would rather be tatoo'd w/that info than have to wear a bracelet all the time. For the meantime, I just hope that if I am ever in a bad accident, they will know from my scars or family/friends will be able to tell them. Everyone knows I have it. Oh, I also carry a card in my wallet that says I have the lapband, but I realize the chances of them seeing that are probably miniscule at best.

[kll724 3,055]

I am now considering a Bracelet, as I was reading the op's response. That makes a lot of sense incase of an accident. I, also, have th ecard in my wallet, until I get a bracelet, that will have to do. My vacation starts in 2 weeks, not enough time to plan for a bracelet. Thanks for the idea, tho'.

[Manda87 3]

You don't plan on having accidents. I should follow that with a "DUH," but I won't. Luckly, I have a bunch of family members that know my medical history, and there is a slim chance of a medical person not being able to contact any of them.

[Manda87 3]

I am now considering a Bracelet, as I was reading the op's response. That makes a lot of sense incase of an accident. I, also, have th ecard in my wallet, until I get a bracelet, that will have to do. My vacation starts in 2 weeks, not enough time to plan for a bracelet. Thanks for the idea, tho'.

They sell them on ebay with all kinds of pretty colors and styles.

[Cocoabean 430]

Adagray,

I also have a necklace. When I don't feel like wearing my Bracelet, I wear that. I just tuck it under my shirt. It is a 'dogtag' style that was an inexpensive add on to my bracelet order.

They have some nice charm style ones these days that are still noticable as medical alert tags. The chain on my necklace is quite strong. I found I can use it for double duty and clip my work ID to it and skip the lanyard.

Traditional CPR pumps a lot of air into the stomach. But the trainer at the CPR class I went to said they are cutting down the number of breaths for each pump, and that you can even just do the chest compressions with no breaths if you do not have a mouth barrier.

But, I think I'd chose a slipped band over no CPR.

I got mine from American Medical ID.

[muddieguryl 0]

I think it is a good idea to wear one. I will make sure I have one once I have my band installed. Also, you can put your ICE contact on your alert. (In Case of Emergency). This way, if you are ever in an accident and found conscienceless, your EMS team can be alerted.

Edited April 18, 2010 by muddieguryl

[Purrplelover 48]

I just ordered one off of ebay because of this thread!! Thanks!!

[DaChanginQueen 0]

I wear one already because of diabetes so I should probably add Lapband to it.

[Teacher07 3]

I wear a Bracelet and refuse to take it off. After the first week I didn't even realize it is there anymore. I never take it off, even when I shower.

[BetsyB 9]

I do have one. It's a pretty silver Bracelet that looks like a "normal" piece of jewelry. I wear the badge on the inside of my wrist.

It lists my name, that I have a Realize band, my drug allergies, and my ICE number. If/when I replace it, I will add a line indicating that nasogastric tubes must be inserted with fluoro only. (For simplicity, something like, "No blind NG tubes.")

ETA: I got mine from laurenshope.com. They have lots of really pretty ones.