Question:
The tube in the nose down to the belly does it hurt??

I just found out after i wake up i will have a small plastic tube in my nose down to my belly for the first 48 hours..IM SCARED TO DEATH OF THIS TUBE!!! does it hurt? can i talk?? can i swallow?? will i keep gaging on it?? does it hurt when they pull it out?? is it hard to drink with it in?? will i even know it is in?? please i need some real answers if if its bad i need to get prepared.. thank you    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on January 10, 2001)

January 10, 2001
The tube was actually the most uncomfortable thing for me to deal with in the hospital. It was truly was not something that hurt - but my throat was a little swollen which contributed to the feeling. However, I was able to feel it in my throat and I convinced myself that I could not swallow. But it is only there the first night. After it was removed, your throat will only feel slightly sore/swollen. You will be heavily medicated, so try to sleep through the better part of it. It will be out soon. God Bless You!! Good Luck!!
   — Cindy G.

January 10, 2001
Yes, you can feel it, and it s annoying. Some people feel a constant sore throat and others ( a few) feel occasional gagging. You CAN talk, swallow, breath, etc, just fine. I feels funny when it comes out, but unless your throat is sore and it rubs some it doesn't really HURT coming out. Some docotrs will let you use a nmbing spray lke chloraseptic to soothe your throat, or ice chips. Regardless, it's not in there for long.---Jesse, who has put in many, and removed many, and heard the complaints--but will have one in herself for the first time in 2 weeks.I always said as a nurse--what goes around, comes around! :-)
   — Jesse M.

January 10, 2001
I had my surgery on Aug 10, 2000. Your question brings back some pre-op concerns I had. My experience with "the tube" was that I barely knew it was there. It felt like a sore throat but nothing worse then a minor case of strep throat. Also you do have the pain medication that will help you with that. When I read your question I had to stop to think about my experience -- so it must not have been overwhelming. My tube was taken out in x-ray. They did an upper GI to be sure everything was ok before they took the tube out. I do remember some discomfort when they pulled it out, but it didn't last long. I also took a dose of pain killer before I went down to x-ray because I had heard that was tough -- getting up on the table and positioning yourself for the chest x-ray and Upper GI. As for talking and drinking -- as I recall I didn't do a lot of talking -- after affects of the anastesia (sleeping gas, I know I can't spell) and pain medication kept me sleeping a lot for the first 24 hours. I believe I had a little ice while I had the tube. I hope I've helped you. Good luck on your upcoming WLS -- it has already changed my life drasticly. I've lost 91 pounds 358# to 267# in five months (I lost 30# prior to my surgery--so I've lost a total of 120# since I started with my WLS sugeron)
   — Robert W.

January 10, 2001
I too was wondering , with the tube down your throat, do you have a problem catching your breath when you wake up
   — stevie W.

January 10, 2001
They're called NG tubes. They're put in after your anesthesized and are usually taken out the first or second day post-op. They drain the stomach contents. For me, it wasn't painful or uncomfortable, just felt unusual in my throat. I could talk and swallow, and I didn't choke. I even took small sips of water, against drs orders. It takes 5 seconds to pull it out. I even asked if I could pull my own but it was a teaching hospital, but I did get to pull my own catheter. I wouldn't worry about it. You're going to heavily sedated anyway.
   — blank first name B.

January 10, 2001
I've had several surgeries over the years, not all WLS related. I never even thought about it pre-op! The NG tube is annoying, some placements are better than others, but it is absolutely minimal. Are you scared of the IV? That was far more bothersome to me. You will probably spend more energy trying to get your room to be more hot or more cool than you will spend even thinking about the NG tube.
   — vitalady

January 10, 2001
My doctor removed the tube before I awoke. Apparently it depends on the patient, but I don't know the criteria. I never noticed any soreness from it.
   — KG B.

January 10, 2001
Hi..just my 2 cents...the NG tube didn't bother me at all (while in)...I was on a demerol pump and I was not very aware. Now..here's my suggestion..when it is time for them to take out the tube...first, pump yourself (if you have a pca) and second take a deep breath while they are pulling it out..it is uncomfortable but not unbearable! It doesn't take long for it to come out...but, it might seem like it. YOU are going to do great...especially since this is your main concern. <grins> I promise to keep you in my prayers..and hopefully they will take it out before you wake up. Much love, Terri (ps: If you have any other questions..don't hesitate to ask... [email protected])
   — Terri G.

January 11, 2001
It truly depends on the patient, how sedated they are, and their tolerance level. For me it was horrible. It was tolerable for the first day, but then I had a lot of nausea the 2nd and 3rd day. Having the heaves and vomiting was not pleasant with the NG tube. I begged everyone who came in my room to remove it, even housekeeping staff. It came out the third day (no pain), and was complete relief - a turning point for me. If you don't have nausea, I think you will be fine. I certainly wish you a better experience than mine.
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 11, 2001
Debra, My tube didn't bother me at all! I had it in for three days until I went to radiology to have the leak test and everyone kept saying "you will feel so much better when you get that thing out" and I agreed with them even though I didn't even feel it. As soon as I had the leak test (seems to me they poured a liquid into it for the test which was good cause I didn't have to drink it) they removed it and it took 30 seconds or less to remove. Just felt kind of wierd coming out but no pain! I was so overjoyed when I heard the tech say "no leaks" and with morphine, nothing bothered me. Good luck with your surgery and don't worry, you will do great! PS Most people have the leak test sooner than I did. Mine was delayed because my doctor was out of town. Bummer.....
   — Marilyn C.

August 21, 2001
I had the open RNY and did not have the tube down my nose. My doctor didn't use that. I had 2 drains that were on my incision but not the nose tube. I am thankful. My Mom has had several surgeries where she had the tube and it isn't pleasant. Your throat gets really dry and sore. I don't think it was very pleasant coming out either. But, just think of the plus side, you getting smaller because of the surgery. Yes!! That will make it all worth it.
   — Terri L.

August 21, 2001
For me, the tube didn't hurt. Having it pulled out was a little uncomfortable, but I was so glad that it was gone I didn't care. The worst part for me was not being able to drink anything until they did the leak test. I have NEVER been so grateful for ice chips! I kept telling them that my mouth was dry and they gave me these nasty-tasting q-tips that had glycerin or something on them. Didn't help. This is how dry I was: The barium for the leak test actually tasted GOOD . . .
   — ctyst

September 29, 2001
I was scared about the tube also. I am 12 days post-op. The tube does not hurt when you wake up. It is a little uncomfortable and feels a little funny when you chew on ice chips after surgery. It just feels like a lump in your thoat. It takes about half a minute for them to take it out but mine did hurt a little bit. They told me that I was unusual because my nostral opening was very small and that is why it bothered me. They tell you to take a deep breath and exhale and by the time your done the tube is out. It is not a terrible experience. Everything will be ok. Email me if you have any more question. I will be honest!
   — Cheryl G.

May 14, 2003
The tube is inserted once you are asleep and in the operating room, so you won't feel a thing until you wake up. It is very uncomfortable and it hurts some. They leave it in for two days and when they finally do take it out you will be aksed to take a deep breath. It feels weird coming out and you do have a sensation to gag. But it ends really fast. Don't worry, it'll be a quick process.
   — Melissa T.

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