Question:
can somone please tell me what a g tube is
— LAURA G. (posted on October 16, 2001)
October 16, 2001
Laura, if you are asking about the "NG" tube it is a naso-gastric
tube. The naso-gastric tube is probably about the size of your pinkie
finger or smaller. The tube is placed up your nose and it passes down your
throat into your stomach to drain blood, mucos. I am an EMT and when I
worked in a hospital we did these pretty often. Most people are freaked out
at the thought of having a tube up their nose but once it is placed it is
not painful or bothersome. If you awake and having one placed the best
thing to remember is swallow, swallow, swallow during placement. This
prevents the tube from triggering your gag reflex and ensures is goes down
your throat instead of into your mouth (which would cause it to be
repositioned over again until it's done right) This may sound really
frightening but it onlt takes about a minute and if you relax and swallow
it is just fine. E-mail if you further questions about the tube.
— Aimee P.
October 16, 2001
I had to have a g-tube placed during my second surgery (I had
complications). I still have it. Its a tube in my intestines and it comes
out of my belly. I presently have it clamped so nothing is draining at the
moment. But, it was put there so if my fluids get blocked, I could open
the clamp and drain it rather than vomit. I know it sounds scary and
gross. But, it was done while I was asleep. It comes out in a couple of
weeks. If you have any questions, please contact me. This is not a
"normal" tube during this surgery.
— Kelley S.
October 16, 2001
I live in Louisville, KY and my surgeon always puts in a g-tube as a
precautionary measure and he doesn't take it out until 3 wks post op. I
think he said he puts it in the "old stomach". He said lots of
things can be done thru the g tube and it's less traumatic to go ahead and
put one in during surgery rather than having to take someone back into
surgery to put one in ofr unforseen complications. He also takes them out
in his office. He said it's a self-sealing wound. It closes as the tube is
advanced out. I know that most surgeons don't do this but I'm okay with it.
No, I haven't had the surgery yet, although I am scheduled. However I have
been an angel to several friends who've had WLS with the same surgeon. I
hope this helps. Good luck!!
— [Anonymous]
October 16, 2001
I had a g-tube placed in while I was in surgery. It was a tube that went
through my belly into my old stomach. My surgeon said that it is in case
of complications. They could feed me through it, give me medications
through it, even fluids. I didn't mind it so much. It was in for 4 weeks
I think. He wouldn't take it out until I had started on solids and he was
sure my pouch could handle food. In the even that it couldn't, he could
feed me through the g tube until something else could be done. It wasn't
uncomfortable, just annoying to have in for 4 weeks. Don't worry about it.
I also had an ng-tube which is the one up your nose to drain blood and
mucous from the new pouch. I didn't like that. That was also placed in
during surgery, and the first day I was so high on anestesia and pain meds
I didn't care. By the second day however, I was more aware and I started
gagging on it. They took it out that day so it was okay. Good luck with
your surgery
— enjo4
October 16, 2001
The G-tube is usually used as a feeding tube. My surgeon doesn't normally
put one in, but I needed one so he could give me supplemental feedings for
the first four weeks and possibly to put in medications. I have been on
steroids for years and he said it would help me heal faster if I had the
extra liquid feedings. It didn't hurt at all, and they took it out during
an office visit. It healed up very nicely. Oh, it is placed in your
"old" stomach and mine came out on my left side. I wouldn't worry
about a G-tube, it's really not a big deal.
— Maria H.
Click Here to Return