Question:
Is it NO NG TUBE that we put on the Medical Alert Bracelets?

I am going to try to purchase one over this weekend for myself and my 5 year old son who has a bleeding disorder. I figured it is safer for us to wear it and If I wear one then he will too. I thought I saw a post a while back that said put NO NG TUBE on it, is that it? Any suggestions on where to purchase (I need sturdy for my son, that's for sure lol)or what is better between the neclace and bracelet? Thank you for your help :o)    — Sandy M. (posted on May 2, 2003)


May 2, 2003
Hi, "No NG TUBE" is correct. Many people who have the surgery do not wear Medic Alert Tags. I wear one because of other health problems. I bought mine on QVC. It has a screw top and paper inside where I can list the information and meds. The inside is water-proof. I like it because I can change the information inside whenever I need to. I wear a bracelet. A friend who is a paramedic, recommended a bracelet because if you are unconscious an EMT will often check your pulse and see the bracelet before they would check for a necklace. My bracelet is very sturdy.
   — M B.

May 2, 2003
Let's say you do not wear a medical alert. And an NG tube is insterted in you. What will happen?
   — Kim L.

May 2, 2003
It's not NO NG TUBE. You most likely had an NG Tube during or after your WLS. You can have an NG Tube, it just has to be placed carefully, using endoscopy. They can't just run it down your throat like they normally do, becuase your stomach is smaller, and might get torn. The Q&A Database has lots of suggestions on wording for it under "medic alert"
   — Monica H.

May 2, 2003
My bracelet says, "GASTRIC BYPASS PATIENT - DO NOT BLINDLY INTUBATE - ENDOSCOPY ONLY.
   — Cheryl D.

May 2, 2003
i listed my name, surgeons name & number date of surgery, type of surgery, no nsaids, or aspirin dirivitives, no predisone. Also, do not use ng tube blindly, use endoscopy. alot of info I know, over caustious I guess.
   — I U.

May 2, 2003
As a nurse, yes we measure the length before placing an NG tube, BUT there could be a few inches of difference so you do need a scope. Anything engraved on a bracelet is expensive, so try and sum it up short and to-the-point. GASTRIC BYPASS - NO NG TUBE WITHOUT SCOPE covers it.
   — Lynette B.

May 2, 2003
i am an R.N. with many years E.R. experience and yes we do place N/G.s in the er. But it is usually to pump someone's stomach or sometimes if we are sending a patient to the floor and the floor nurses are busy we will place one for them or if the pt. comes in vomitting and is unconscious or something similar. Yes, we do measure them from ear to nose to Xyphoid process. Then we place our stetescope right under the xyphoid and use a bulb syringe filled with air to check placement. You hear a big swoosh when it is in correctly. The wire-guided ones are the only ones that are x-rayed. They are not used for anything until x-rayed but these are primarily for feeding, meds and things like that. Not the sort that would be placed during an emergency. It is possible that someone could puch thru your pouch. It is right up under the xyphoid process. That is why it should not be blindly placed.
   — Delores S.

May 2, 2003
Mine says: Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass..Do not blindly place NG tube. Use endoscopy. That is what they suggested at the medic-alert place...
   — Melissa B.

May 3, 2003
I purchased my medical I.D. bracelet at Walgreens and than had it made into a nice bracelet. Mine says Gastric Surgery, a few other medical problems and than my name. I also thought that most Doctors/nurses in an E.R. would know what to and not to put down a throat of a gastric bypass patient, but I am no nurse so don't take my word on it. I also wanted to say that I did hear of a lady in an accident where they did have to put something down her throat which it hurt either the throat or the pouch, which she did not have a medical I.D bracelet on so they didn't know she had the gastric surgery which she had to have another surgery to repair it.
   — Pam M.




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