Question:
I am scared going home with the G-tube any advice?

I will be a hour and a half away from the surgeon, and scared about the G-tube any advice? How uncomfortable, or how hard it is to have around    — [Anonymous] (posted on December 9, 2001)

December 9, 2001
I didn't have one with my RNY, but I had two with my hernia surgery. I was freaked about having things hanging out of me, but in reality, they were ok. They didn't hurt at all and I think they were more a nuisance than anything. I just kept the area clean and covered and got them out in a week.
   — M B.

December 9, 2001
The tube did not hurt at all, even around the entrance site. The nurse taped it to me and I ignored it except to care for it. You won't really notice it and you can't feel it, so don't worry. Pulling it out was funky feeling...came out with a large POP! Didn't hurt at all just felt odd. Don't worry that"s the last of your concerns.
   — valerie S.

December 9, 2001
The G-tube is no problem at all. Ask the nurse to pin it to a piece of tape and you won't feel it pulling. I had it for two days after I came home. The removal is the fun part....you dont realize how long it is inside you. Concentrate more on drinking the water and WALKING, WALKING, WALKING every two hours after surgery. That will help you recover. Good Luck and God Bless.
   — Dianne K.

December 10, 2001
one thing: They taped the tube to my right nostril and I felt a blister forming. It itched and irritated me. I asked the nurse if theere was some other way of securing it? No way she says. end of discussion. I go home with a big red scab on my right nostril. Once it has healed I now have a piece of skin missing from it. So my once round nostril is now irregularly shaped. Not a big deal to complain about, I don't want to be vain and petty, which is why I've never even mentioned this to anyone before, but my face is now permanentaly altered. Even if others don't really notice it, I DO whenever I look in the mirror!! So if it feels uncomfortable or like it's pulling on yours skin on your nose, then INSIST they adjust it!!!!
   — Jennifer H.

December 10, 2001
sorry, I may be talking about a different thing here,. I was thinking you were asking about the NG tube that goes down your nose to your stomach... Is the G tube the drainage tube? Sorry if I was responding to the wrong thing!
   — Jennifer H.

February 9, 2002
im assuming your talking about a NG tube? have never heard of a person going home with one of those. usually they are removed by day 2 for RNY patients. removal is a piece of cake! feels VERY VERY strange. (ZERO pain!) but just weird. take care and best wishes for your surgery. Daniel
   — dhuberty

March 30, 2002
a g-tube is a tube that liquid food goes through for people who cannot swallow food in the normal manner. it is placed in the stomach through a hole on the abdominal wall. this is not the kind of tube used for bariatric surgery. an ng tube is what is used. it removes gas and digestive liquids that can build up until the stomach and intestines recover and "wake up" from the shock of surgery. i am a surgical rn who takes care of gi surgery patients regularly
   — ashley B.

March 21, 2003
I too ama surgical nurse, and we use the NG tubes for all GI-tract surgeries. One thing I recommend is to request the Anderson version; it is much softer and pliable (less nasal discomfort) than the rigid and larger Salem.
   — Laura H.

November 20, 2004
I know this is way late, but if anyone is reading this they may think that you CAN'T have a G-TUBE. Yes, I am 4 weeks post-op and I still have mine plus a JP drain. The G-TUBE is not painful, but it is a bother and you have to keep it taped to your belly to make sure it doesn't pull out. I can't believe all these nurses thought you didn't know what you were talking about. I too am a nurse, but not for WLS, but I am a WLS patient. I hope all went well.
   — debi327

April 11, 2005
I'm a week post-op and I went home with a G-tube and a drain. My drain is gone and it was the real bother but my G-tube is no bother at all. Keep it clean and dry and just be careful not to catch it on anything. You'll be just fine, good luck and God Bless. Keep in touch. Karyn
   — Zimpo

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