Question about G Tube

Could someone please tell me about the G tube? Does it hurt? How big is it? Where exactly is it? It is one of the many things I am starting to stress about!! Post-op's let me know!!! Thanks so much!!! Kim

Don't stress about the G-Tube. It doesn't hurt, but it's an annoyance, but can also be your friend. It's the exact same thing as a foley catheter, but it is in your left side and is in your old stomach. It's the same size and looks the same and stays in your stomach via a balloon, just like a foley. You have a little care to do each day, but it's easy. If you have some pills that you have to take and can't take them by mouth, or you can't get in all your protein, you can use your G-tube and put your protein in there! It can be very convenient to have around! I have to have my G-tube for 5-6 weeks and I'm 2-1/2 weeks out, so I've got a ways to go. Ask me anything you like! Jan

Thanks for the info Jan. How have you been? I hope everyting is going well for you. I have just been starting to freak lately. I should be receiving my surgery date within the next 2 weeks. I have been in such a moody depression too-just scared. I am also on lexapro for depression and it is giving me nightmares so I am just freaking a little- scared of the unknown, ya know? Be honest with me-what was the worst part of your surgery experience? What part wasn't as bad as you thought it would be? Thanks for talking to me about this! sincerely, Kim

The worst part?? Well the ng tube right after surgery isn't much fun, but you're so drugged up and you sleep so much, by the time you really wake up it's about time for it to come out. The leak test stuff tasted pretty miserable, but once it's over, it's over. I really didn't think I'd need "mommy's little helper" to ummm, errr, take care of personal hygiene, but oh YES!! you DO!! Amazing you "go" at all, but it's all water anyway. Each day got measurably better and better. The first day home I was pretty tender and standing up straight was not happening, but the morning of day two I could stand and walk no problem. Believe me, you need to sip, sip, sip and walk, walk, walk and even if you don't feel like it, take a little pain medicine and don't be a hero and walk, walk, walk, so you bounce right back. You really will be fine. So far the thought "what on EARTH have I done to myself" hasn't even crossed my mind. Good luck!!! Jan

Hi Kim, Yes like Jan said dont worry! The g-tube for me was very easy to care for, but did cause me minimal pain from time to time. I kept mine in for 15 days post-op. It did hurt very bad to have the thing removed though, but its a super fast removal! After the tube was removed it took about 2wks for my hole to heal and close up. My scar from the hole is probably the size of a pee. Good Luck with you and dont worry! MICHELLE

I was glad to get my G tube out. It was there for 2 weeks and my body was trying to reject it. That is where my pain was. After it was taken out..no pain. As far as the NG tube...if I had one...I did not know it. You worry about little things before surgery like they will become big things. That is ok. It is over in a short time. Remember, no pain, no gain.

Hey there- I hated my G-tube. I am rather large breasted and my breast laid right on top of the G-tube- God that hurt. The one good thing about it was that I was not nauseated the first 2 weeks that I had it in. As soon as it was removed, I started getting nauseated. When it was removed, it hurt so damn bad! I had even taken a pain pill before going in to have it removed. It was like labor but all in 5 seconds.