G tube?

I see ya'll talking about your G tubes and I was wondering what they were for. Are they feeding you through that for the 3 days you get nothing by mouth or what? Do you have an IV for those 3 days? If you have lap RNY do you still have a G-tube? Are people still having open RNY today, and why would they choose that option? Thanks, Melissa Massey

Melissa they are for draining out the fluids of your old stomach. Dr Aguirre told me it was for draining out the stomach acid and pancreatic fluids and stuff like that. No they do not feed you through that tube but yes you do have an IV for 3 days while you are in the hospital. We also have an epidural. If you have lap you probably won't have a g tube. I had open rny and the only reason i had it open was because that is the only type my surgeon does. It is the method he prefers so that he can see everything in the cavity. I hope that makes sense.. Cindy

Hi Melissa! The G tube is the tube through which the bile leaves the body for the first few days after surgery. Yes, you have an IV for the 3 days you are in the hospital and you get your nourishment through it. Actually, I was only in the hospital about 29 hours which is pretty standard for Dr. Aguirre's patients. Why did I chose open over lap? I wanted my surgeon to be able to see what he was doing while he was rearranging my insides. I didn't want him playing video games in there. There are just too many accidental nicks, cuts, etc. to other organs made by a lot of surgeons during lap for my taste. I must say my gall bladder was removed lap and I had a lot (under line lot) more pain from that than I did with the open RNY. Each person is different and must look at each type of surgery to make the decision that is best for them. However, open was my choice. Cheri