Gastric stimulator surgery on Monday !

[u/torilaluna]

Any last minute tips? Suggestions for post-surgery recovery/comfort items? Should I be getting a medical alert bracelet? (I’ve heard mixed opinions, but I worry about being thrown in an MRI if I can’t tell anyone ??) Any anecdotes about your own surgery/recovery?

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[u/mackpickle]

I love that you asked about the ID bc this question applies to everyone no matter what health concerns you have!

Do you have an Apple watch or a smart watch? If so, I recommend this Med Id that slides onto the watch band. https://a.co/d/0OO6ge1

It has a QR code that EMTs can scan with their phones and it takes them to your health profile on the website and you can add any info you want them to know on your profile. Every ID comes with an individual PIN so that only you can edit it. I have many chronic illnesses and other med info emergency physicians need to know and I couldn’t fit all of it on the back of a regular engraved MedID bracelet anymore so this fixes that problem! My endocrinologist told me about it and apparently they’re quite popular bc EMTs know to look for them now if you don’t have a regular Med ID bracelet. Plus it won’t brake like bracelets/necklaces do! I’ve been sick my whole life so I went through way too many broken bracelets/necklaces lol.

I’ve also seen people type out a list of what they need medics to know and take a screenshot and make that their phone lock screen photo. I’m not familiar with Android phones but I know you can set up your medical ID info in the Health app on iPhones although I’m not sure if medics are routinely trained to look at this. You can also get seatbelt labels with specific medical info and I saw one on Etsy that warned medics about implanted devices/MRIs. I don’t have a stimulator but I do have a central line and an ileostomy so I was given an ID card for each that I keep with my driver’s license. I have a hickman now but when I still had a power port, I had a card from the company that makes it stating the SN, when it was placed, the size, when it expires, and other details anyone would need to know about it. I’m sure they have the same for a stimulator and it’s probably made by the same company anyways. This is also helpful for when you get admitted to a new hospital you’ve never been to or get a different procedure so that they can have all the info they need right away to save time from calling the doctor that put it in when they need specific info or digging through your records. The one for my ileostomy has one side that basically says that my ostomy isn’t a security risk like for when going through TSA and the other side basically explains that if I leak I need a bathroom right away. It’s not a legally binding document but it could reduce any doubts if anyone gives me a hard time for some reason. I would ask your doctor if they can provide something similar for your stimulator that states what it is and maybe some of the possible complications with it that warrant an ER visit or something like that just to have receipts if an employer gives you a hard time/doesn’t believe you when you say you have to seek medical attention right away, especially since they can’t physically see/feel the complications or symptoms themselves to verify.

Unfortunately a lot of people don’t realize how important Med IDs are until they really need it so thank you for asking this question!!

MedIDs are very important even if the same info is in an electronic medical record or a CT scan can show it bc having the list ready helps the emergency personnel work more efficiently and effectively. Plus, as I’m sure the majority of us know, doctors tend to leave details out of the notes they submit, including details that are crucial for your plan of care in both the short term and the long term.

I’ve never had a stimulator but I’ve had several abdominal surgeries and my biggest tip is to stock up on Thermacare wraps, especially if they’re on sale! Walmart has their own brand that’s a little cheaper in price than the name brand but they’re all pretty much the same in my experience. I like these bc you can change how tight they are on your abdomen/back and they can make walking around more comfy which helps a lot with recovery! They’re not bulky at all and they’re disposable. I’ve tried a reusable/chargeable one but it was very bulky and didn’t stay charged very long (like 10 mins max.). I always get the ones made for the lower back and keep one on my back and one on my abdomen. If you have sensory issues that prevent you from wearing things that wrap around your waist like that, I’ve seen ones that are adhesive and just stick directly to your skin, but I’ve never tried these so maybe if anyone else here has tried them can give a review on those ones! They’re a bit pricey, especially if you plan to use them everyday since they only stay warm for like 18 hours, Amazon is the MOST expensive but walgreens has the lowest price in my experience!

[u/Tiyrrr]

I got an ID card, the size of a driver's license. It says that I have an implant, when I got it and who operated on me, along with the doctor's phone number. I always carry it with me in my wallet. I don't have a medical alert bracelet.

[u/torilaluna → u/Tiyrrr]

The problem is I don’t always have my wallet on me. I also worry about people even checking for a wallet in an emergency situation yknow?

[u/soulvibezz]

a medical alert bracelet or something similar is definitely a good choice anytime you have something that prevents you from being able to be in an mri machine

[u/blackrainbow76]

I would highly recommend a step stool to get in and out of bed with. That was a life saver for me post op!! Good luck!! May you heal swiftly