Question:
what is the tube in the nose everyone writes about?

When is it inserted? When is it removed? Is it painful or do you feel any gag reflex when being removed? All the doctor told me was about be on a ventulater? Why and when is that removed? My date is Apr 12 I guess I am starting to get worried?    — helpwanted (posted on April 3, 2006)

April 3, 2006
Its an NG tube...not all surgeons use them but some do. Its for sucking the gunk out of your stomach after surgery. They don't hurt...but can be irritating to the throat (from what I'm told, I didn't have one.)
   — amillman

April 3, 2006
I'm not usre what tube you are referring to. When you are asleep during surgery you are on a ventilator that breaths for you. In order to get the oxygen to your lungs and endotracheal tube is placed to deliver the oxygen. You are asleep when they place it and they remove it as you are waking up. Once you are responding and breathing on your own they take it out. Some people find that their throat irriated..others feel nothing. I have never had a problem with my throat post-op and have had several surgeries. I am a nurse that works in the operating room and there is nothing scary about the tube. hope this helps with your question.
   — nurse442

April 3, 2006
It's a nasal-gastric tube. It drains the fluids from your pouch so there is no build-up. It's put in while you're under and comes out not long after you wake up. For people having lap surgery, it isn't as common, but I had open. It was annoying more than anything, and it adhered a little bit coming out so I had a minor nosebleed that went away fast. Just felt like I had something stuck in my throat and the instant I demanded it be removed they did. Same with the morphine. I wanted it OFF ASAP - much prefered Demerol. Jennifer
   — j_coulter

April 4, 2006
We all agree you are referring to the naso-gastric tube - hope we are correct. Many surgeons have one placed during surgery to make sure the incision is air tight. The tube is placed, the area around the incision is clamped, flooded with saline and a small amount of air in pushed into the tube. If it bubbles, there is a leak. Once the incision is good, it is frequently pulled. Best wishes - the worry is normal. Joshua
   — nursenut

April 4, 2006
Ok...I had the same worries you do about the tube. I worried myself so much I couldn't sleep days before the surgery. Let me tell you, I worried for nothing. I did wake up from the surgery with the tube. It was in until about 2 days after my surgery. Some doctors will remove it within 24 hours, but mine was in a little longer. I was so worried about the removal of it, but when the nurses came to take it out, it was over before I had time to even notice. There was a little piece of tape on the end of it which holds it down, and they peeled off the tape, and with one quick movement, it was gone. I didn't even feel it coming out. So please, don't do like I did and worry yourself over it. Really, it doesn't hurt at all, there's no gagging, and you won't notice it. Good luck on your trip to the "thinner" side. You'll do great!
   — phaney