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Jewellery and surgeryThis is a discussion thread · 13 replies 1 2 Julie Brandon: How do,With awkward timing, as my nips & navel are barely a month old... ...I've got some very minor surgery on Thursday (only recently got the date). 5 mins under general (oral surgery - I'm a bit tongue tied, and it can't be done under local as it's too much to cut away, and too close to veins, and will require stitches.) I've got some PTFE only (that is, the balls are also PTFE) 'jewellery' which I've put in my navel & nipples (which are my only body pierces at present). The jewellery is designed to be safe for use during surgery. Has anyone had any particular difficulties with (UK NHS) surgeons etc and purely-PTFE body jewellery? As long as there's no metal or things that would otherwise reflect high-frequency electrical signals (and interfere with electrical measuring devices, or cause burns with difribulators, etc), and as long as it won't otherwise get in the way (like oral jewellery of any sort, or jewellery in the relevant area, could), my understanding is that there is no good medical/logical reason to be required to remove them? Thing is, if it comes down to the choice between removing the jewellery and the surgery... the jewellery stays -- this would, of course, not make me popular... ...so I just want to be sure that, if they absolutely insist I have to remove my jewellery for the surgery, and I then adamently refuse, that, technically speaking, I'm in the right and can stand my ground if necessary with any follow-up discussion? Any good references on the subject? Ta-ra, -- Julie Brandon http://www.computergeeks.co.uk / __ N Jill Marsh: [nq:1]How do,[/nq]Hi. [nq:1]As long as there's no metal or things that would otherwise reflect high-frequency electrical signals (and interfere with electrical measuring ... the relevant area, could), my understanding is that there is no good medical/logical reason to be required to remove them?[/nq] The only other reason I have heard is that jewellery can harbour bacteria and such. This was the reason why, for many years, nurses and other health care workers were only allowed very limited jewellery (when I started in that field, a plain wedding band and ear studs without stone settings were the only jewellery accepted on the job). Your jewellery is away from the areas being worked on, so I would suggest that if there is still resistance to your wearing it that you tell them that they can tape over the areas. I have little experience with the NHS, and I expect that any (if indeed you encounter any at all) resistance you find to keeping the jewellery in place will be a product of the individuals involved, rather than the system. [nq:1]Thing is, if it comes down to the choice between removing the jewellery and the surgery... the jewellery stays -- this would, of course, not make me popular...[/nq] With whom? As long as you are not cancelling so last minute as to not allow them time to call someone else on the waiting list, I doubt that anyone on the surgery end would care. (This is a gentle hint to get this sorted before Thursday morning.) [nq:1]...so I just want to be sure that, if they absolutely insist I have to remove my jewellery for the surgery, and I then adamently refuse, that, technically speaking, I'm in the right and can stand my ground if necessary with any follow-up discussion?[/nq] Technically speaking, as you are the patient, you are always within your rights to refuse this sort of medical treatment - I assume you're not of dimnished mental capacity. You are also free to cancel and go back on the waiting list for another appointment. I don't think that there is neccessarily an adamantly right side to this, if the surgical policy was to remove all jewellery, always, no exceptions due to technical, mechanical or hygenic concerns, then that's what you would have to work within. However I expect that's not the case. You seem to be fairly well prepared; I don't see why, given a willingness to communicate rather than to combat on both sides, your surgery couldn't go ahead with your jewellery installed. Best of luck with the new tongue. -- nj"big fan of mobile tongues"m "If I answer that right an' win another refrigerator I'll jes' DIE!" Julie Brandon: On Tue, 04 May 2004 08:25:49 -0400, N Jill Marsh (Email Removed) said:[nq:1]Your jewellery is away from the areas being worked on, so I would suggest that if there is still resistance to your wearing it that you tell them that they can tape over the areas.[/nq] Thanks for the info there. Yes, I'd considered the infection-spreading aspect. If it were more major surgery it might have been a fair point. [nq:1]I have little experience with the NHS, and I expect that any (if indeed you encounter any at all) resistance you find to keeping the jewellery in place will be a product of the individuals involved, rather than the system.[/nq] My concern is that it'll be the one nurse doing the booking in following a procedure, all done at speed (as it's a day-case surgery, so they'll be working to be as quick as possible if my previous experiences are anything to go by), and I'm sure the procedure will include "any body jewellery?". I am, though, always very polite in such situations, and so I'm fairly sure I'll be able to talk anyone around, but we'll have to see. [nq:1]With whom? As long as you are not cancelling so last minute as to not allow them time to call ... that anyone on the surgery end would care. (This is a gentle hint to get this sorted before Thursday morning.)[/nq] The difficulty will be trying to contact anyone who is in a position of adequate authority to say either way, until I'm actually there, unfortunately! However, with a bit of effort and time I could really try before, as I guess if I get the okay via telephone today, it's therefore not exactly my fault if they change their mind on the day. I must at least give it a go. (BTW It was actually a cancellation I took, hence why it is all so sudden!) [nq:1]Technically speaking, as you are the patient, you are always within your rights to refuse this sort of medical treatment - I assume you're not of dimnished mental capacity. You are also free to cancel and go back on the waiting list for another appointment.[/nq] This is the reason I'd have to be a bit careful and able to defend my position; if they didn't regard my reasoning to be adequate then I'd not get to go back on the waiting list. [nq:1]I don't think that there is neccessarily an adamantly right side to this, if the surgical policy was to remove ... combat on both sides, your surgery couldn't go ahead with your jewellery installed. Best of luck with the new tongue.[/nq] Many thanks. Yeah, I'll see who I can get on the telephone to, even if it means a few hours of being passed around a bit. -- Julie Brandon http://www.computergeeks.co.uk / __ ** WEBPAGE ** New: photos of iridescent clouds, panorama of Matlock Bath, and photos&skymap of recent Mars/Moon/Venus alighment (with strong earthshine) Julie Brandon: On Tue, 4 May 2004 20:51:50 +0800, Lara ({nospam}@waawa.cx) said:[nq:1]I'd tape them, too. When you're manhandled around under GA, no-one's going to be carefully ensuring that they don't catch & tear your pierced bits.[/nq] This I already have planned, together with a little printed stick on label about the jewellery being purely PTFE and a request not to remove them! If they did decide to remove them whilst I was dozing, I have sterilised some jewellery as best I can, and have a pre-sterile-packed 1.6mm tapered insertion rod, all in a little pack, that my boyfriend will be keeping hold of! Ta-ra, -- Julie Brandon http://www.computergeeks.co.uk / __ ** WEBPAGE ** New: photos of iridescent clouds, panorama of Matlock Bath, and photos&skymap of recent Mars/Moon/Venus alighment (with strong earthshine) Julie Brandon: On Tue, 04 May 2004 08:25:49 -0400, N Jill Marsh (Email Removed) said:[nq:1]With whom? As long as you are not cancelling so last minute as to not allow them time to call ... that anyone on the surgery end would care. (This is a gentle hint to get this sorted before Thursday morning.)[/nq] I had a think about who to call, and managed to get the phone number for the specific ward where I'll be admitted. I called up and spoke to a staff nurse. They weren't really interested in giving me any answer at first, until I pushed a little and saidthat, if I was required to remove the jewellery I might well refuse the surgery, which was why I was calling today before hand, rather than leaving it 'til the day! After that they moved on to at least doing some asking around the place. They seem to have some policies, like, if its a ring, it has to be taped down, else it has to be removed. There was a lot of fussing around; but the general feeling was that if its entirely non-metal, it shouldn't be an issue. It does mean, at least, that they've encountered this before. So, yes, it seems like it should be okay, cross fingers, with a bit of friendly discussion before hand. I'll mention it when I go in to see if they can get word to the anaesthetist, and I'll tape them down with surgical tape as well, as suggested. Many thanks for the feedback. Ta-ra, -- Julie Brandon http://www.computergeeks.co.uk / __ ** WEBPAGE ** New: photos of iridescent clouds, panorama of Matlock Bath, and photos&skymap of recent Mars/Moon/Venus alighment (with strong earthshine) {nospam}@waawa.cx Lara: [nq:1]With awkward timing, as my nips & navel are barely a month old...(snip) As long as there's no metal or ... the relevant area, could), my understanding is that there is no good medical/logical reason to be required to remove them?[/nq]I'd tape them, too. When you're manhandled around under GA, no-one's going to be carefully ensuring that they don't catch & tear your pierced bits. Lara Nina Baltes: [nq:1]The only other reason I have heard is that jewellery can harbour bacteria and such.[/nq]As does an empty piercing canal  .[nq:1]This was the reason why, for many years, nurses and other health care workers were only allowed very limited jewellery (when I started in that field, a plain wedding band and ear studs without stone settings were the only jewellery accepted on the job).[/nq] The wedding band is about the only thing (besides a wristwatch) that I think actually makes sense to remove since the area under it might not be cleaned effectively during hand washing and disinfection... Nina -- C'est les microbes qui auront le dernier mot. Louis Pasteur http://www.chaotropic.net df: [nq:1]On Tue, 4 May 2004 20:51:50 +0800, Lara ({nospam}@waawa.cx) said:[/nq][nq:2]I'd tape them, too. When you're manhandled around under GA, no-one's going to be carefully ensuring that they don't catch & tear your pierced bits.[/nq] [nq:1]This I already have planned, together with a little printed stick on label about the jewellery being purely PTFE and ... 1.6mm tapered insertion rod, all in a little pack, that my boyfriend will be keepinghold of! Ta-ra, -- Julie Brandon[/nq] Heheh, is this the "Modified's" version of those elderly people who get "Do Not Recusitate" tattooed on their chest? N Jill Marsh: [nq:1]On Tue, 04 May 2004 08:25:49 -0400, N Jill Marsh (Email Removed) said:[/nq][nq:2]Your jewellery is away from the areas being worked on, ... you tell them that they can tape over the areas.[/nq] [nq:1]Thanks for the info there. Yes, I'd considered the infection-spreading aspect. If it were more major surgery it might have been a fair point.[/nq] I personally don't think it is even with major surgery, but it is a point that I have seen raised in this context. Personally I think that any jewellery left on should be taped down so that no one accidently snags it and that's about it. [nq:2]Technically speaking, as you are the patient, you are always ... and go back on the waiting list for another appointment.[/nq] [nq:1]This is the reason I'd have to be a bit careful and able to defend my position; if they didn't regard my reasoning to be adequate then I'd not get to go back on the waiting list.[/nq] Goodness, that's when it's time to invoke the Miss Manners' rule of not explaining yourself. All you need to do is state that it's impossible for you to have the procedure at this time - while you should of course take their problems with rescheduling into account it's not their business if it's due to jewellery or a death in the family or your cat having kittens. -- nj"snag - works both ways, ecksually"m "Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth talked of all that had occurred, during their visit, as they returned, except what had particularly interested them both." N Jill Marsh: [nq:2]The only other reason I have heard is that jewellery can harbour bacteria and such.[/nq][nq:1]As does an empty piercing canal .[/nq]Indeed. However one can't remove those. [nq:2]This was the reason why, for many years, nurses and ... stone settings were the only jewellery accepted on the job).[/nq] [nq:1]The wedding band is about the only thing (besides a wristwatch) that I think actually makes sense to remove since the area under it might not be cleaned effectively during hand washing and disinfection...[/nq] Indeed again, but I assume it was a compromise between refusing to let good citizens wear their Symbols of Eternal Love and allowing peeps to work with multiple rings with stone settings & other nooks and crannies. By the time I got into the field, the no wrist watches rule had gone by the by; it was only the older health care workers who wore the traditional upside-down brooch watches. These days there seems to be little to no staff dress rules in most hospitals, I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing or a bit of both, I will admit to something of an irrational prejudice about it, though. -- nj"bugs bugs bugs"m "Sometimes I don't follow you an' so far it allus has paid off." Show more
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