Question:
can somone please tell me what a g tube is

   — LAURA G. (posted on October 16, 2001)

October 16, 2001
Laura, if you are asking about the "NG" tube it is a naso-gastric tube. The naso-gastric tube is probably about the size of your pinkie finger or smaller. The tube is placed up your nose and it passes down your throat into your stomach to drain blood, mucos. I am an EMT and when I worked in a hospital we did these pretty often. Most people are freaked out at the thought of having a tube up their nose but once it is placed it is not painful or bothersome. If you awake and having one placed the best thing to remember is swallow, swallow, swallow during placement. This prevents the tube from triggering your gag reflex and ensures is goes down your throat instead of into your mouth (which would cause it to be repositioned over again until it's done right) This may sound really frightening but it onlt takes about a minute and if you relax and swallow it is just fine. E-mail if you further questions about the tube.
   — Aimee P.

October 16, 2001
I had to have a g-tube placed during my second surgery (I had complications). I still have it. Its a tube in my intestines and it comes out of my belly. I presently have it clamped so nothing is draining at the moment. But, it was put there so if my fluids get blocked, I could open the clamp and drain it rather than vomit. I know it sounds scary and gross. But, it was done while I was asleep. It comes out in a couple of weeks. If you have any questions, please contact me. This is not a "normal" tube during this surgery.
   — Kelley S.

October 16, 2001
I live in Louisville, KY and my surgeon always puts in a g-tube as a precautionary measure and he doesn't take it out until 3 wks post op. I think he said he puts it in the "old stomach". He said lots of things can be done thru the g tube and it's less traumatic to go ahead and put one in during surgery rather than having to take someone back into surgery to put one in ofr unforseen complications. He also takes them out in his office. He said it's a self-sealing wound. It closes as the tube is advanced out. I know that most surgeons don't do this but I'm okay with it. No, I haven't had the surgery yet, although I am scheduled. However I have been an angel to several friends who've had WLS with the same surgeon. I hope this helps. Good luck!!
   — [Anonymous]

October 16, 2001
I had a g-tube placed in while I was in surgery. It was a tube that went through my belly into my old stomach. My surgeon said that it is in case of complications. They could feed me through it, give me medications through it, even fluids. I didn't mind it so much. It was in for 4 weeks I think. He wouldn't take it out until I had started on solids and he was sure my pouch could handle food. In the even that it couldn't, he could feed me through the g tube until something else could be done. It wasn't uncomfortable, just annoying to have in for 4 weeks. Don't worry about it. I also had an ng-tube which is the one up your nose to drain blood and mucous from the new pouch. I didn't like that. That was also placed in during surgery, and the first day I was so high on anestesia and pain meds I didn't care. By the second day however, I was more aware and I started gagging on it. They took it out that day so it was okay. Good luck with your surgery
   — enjo4

October 16, 2001
The G-tube is usually used as a feeding tube. My surgeon doesn't normally put one in, but I needed one so he could give me supplemental feedings for the first four weeks and possibly to put in medications. I have been on steroids for years and he said it would help me heal faster if I had the extra liquid feedings. It didn't hurt at all, and they took it out during an office visit. It healed up very nicely. Oh, it is placed in your "old" stomach and mine came out on my left side. I wouldn't worry about a G-tube, it's really not a big deal.
   — Maria H.