G tubes

Hi Everyone, With all this talk about G-tubes I thought I would do another post. Those of you with Dr. Glas**** did you have a g-tube placed in addition to your JP drain? Just curious, I never heard this mentioned before and hearing a lot of posts where people are having those placed. Thanks everyone. Melissa

Melissa, The only time he uses a G-tube is when he doesn't want food going thruogh the new pouch for some reason. The only reason I have heard is for revisions where he basically has to remake the pouch & it requires a long healing time. The gals I know who have had them had them in for about 6 weeks I think and they had nothing by mouth during that time. Dr G does the leak test the morning after surgery, before he allows you to even drink water. That way he is on top of any leaks. I have heard of only a couple leaks & he went in & fixed them right away. I've been reading the posts from the DM patients with interest. It's fascinating to see how the different surgeons do things. I can't say I'd want to do it that way but if it works, then go for it. I suspect that when they do get to start eating they progress through tho solids quicker than we do (did) as they are already fully healed. I may be wrong & would like to hear from them if that is not what happens. As you know we are on clear liquids for 2 weeks after surgery, graduating to the "phase2 diet" at that point. Are you aware that he has the various diets on his website? You can find them at http://www.obesityhelpiowa.com/nutrition.asp And, no, it isn't that hard to stick to clear liquids for 2 weeks before surgery. Really, it isn't. Dixie

Ah thanks Dixie, once again you come to my rescue!! : ) Good things to know and glad the 2 week clear liquid diet wasn't too bad. I honeslty think it will be ok. I hope to lose 10-15 pounds during that time. I would like to weight 275 preop if I could I am right around 300 right now. I have already lost 28, hoping Dr. G will be happy with that. I called my ins co today to see if they received my EKG and EGD results they have been requesting. Both have been sent twice now by Rebecca w/ Dr. G's office. They tell me today that they have the EGD but not the EKG results. I am thinking to myself "impossible" since they were sent together both times. They send me to the predetermination department and they say "we are waiting on the INTERPRETATION of the EKG". The interpretation is at the top of the EKG, I am thinking she is thinking of an an echo not an EKG. I am hoping I didn't misinterpret what Dr. G ordered. Do you know if he wants an EKG or an Echocardiogram if you have been on Phen-fen in the past? I bet its an echo and if so, here we go again.. more stuff before I know if I am approved. Oh the fun times : ) She is supposed to call me back, but my gut is thinking it is an echo. Thanks again for the great reply, I learn so much from you Dixie.

They are telling me now that they want me to see a cardiologist and get clearance and need that in writing and sent to them. Funny my surgeon didn't order that but my insurance company is??? So amazing to me. Now I have to get a referral from my PCP, see a cardiogist, get a work up and have it faxed to them and wait all over again. Sigh.. here we go again. Thanks for listening everyone. Melissa

I took phen-fen but just for a couple months. I had to have an EKG but I just assumed we all did. They never mentioned the relationship to Phen-fen. Now that I know that it can cause damage, I guess it makes sense. I think the ones who have heart problems had more extensive tests, probably an echo. Your 28 lb loss will impress Dr G. He does require that we not gain more than 5 lbs from the first appointment until surgery. I don't think you'll have a problem there. I remember being very worried about that but then I had 9 months between the first & last appointment and wasn't very active during those months after the hysterectomy. I lost 12 lbs during the liquids so I was safe. Would you believe that there have been a few who didn't lose during the liquid diet and they stuck to the diet? How frustrating! Dixie

I had my surgery in Boone, but Dr. Sundberg is now in Grinnell. He used G tubes on all his patients as far as I know. At the time I had my surgery, he liked to leave them in for 4 wks. Mine came out at 3 because of an infection. But I know of others who had surgery later on who only had it for a week or so. Don't know what he does now. I was on clear liquids for 2 weeks, full liquids for 2 weeks, soft or pureed for about 2 months and then as tolerated. It took me about 6 months before I could eat semi-normal. We were supposed to avoid red meat for 6 months. I didn't. I started eating ground beef at 3 months or so and pot roast. As for steak, that was after the 6 months. Every doc seems to do it different. And yet we all manage to lose wt! Go figure!

I had a G-tube. The doctors at Mercy put then in. It helps keep pressure off the knew and old stomach when you use the Cpap. Also it can be used if you have a stricture to get all your protein and liquids in and some people use it to get liquids in even if they don't have a stricture. I know at Mercy you are on only water broth and sugar free Jell-O for 10 days then you add cottage cheese, beans and eggs for 10 days then you add other stuff. I got my g-tube out around 4 weeks out. I never used it but I had to hook it up to a bag at night when I used the cpap. It would drain like green/yellow stuff. Ok so that is what I know about the g-tube. I bothered me a lot and I was happy to get it out.

do you still have to use your cpap? I am hoping that having this surgery that eventually it will not be needed.

G tubes are a good way to take medication too. I needed potassium and the IV burned my arm like crazy, so they just shot it in through my G-tube. Very handy. jean