Question:
Nasal stomach tube

I want to know from people who have had gastric bypass what you remember about the tube that they put down your nose and leave there after surgery? I am scared to death of that tube. Also, how long after surgery do they leave it in? Do you remember it interfering with your breathing?    — troggdog73 (posted on January 27, 2009)

January 27, 2009
HI I just had wls in dec 08 and I must say the tube was the most uncomfortable part. It doesnt hurt its just annoying. and it does not interfer with your breathing. that two was a big worry of mine. They usally leave it in for 4 days till you pass the leak test but mine fell out on its own after 2 day. yeah.
   — pinky_711

January 27, 2009
dont worry, its not that bad. it is annoying, but is not painfull, and you will forget about it. like the lady before me said, it doesnt bother your breathing, and they usually take it out 3 or 4 days post op. good luck to you and congrats on your choice to change your life. i am only 4 weeks post op but am enjoying this new lifestyle.
   — jackie L.

January 27, 2009
I didn't have that! I had a tube in my throat that they pulled out as I was waking from surgery and that felt uncomfortable for a second but nothing in my nose that I remember...So if I did have it...I would have to say it was totally forgettable! LOL
   — .Anita R.

January 27, 2009
I know about 10 people that have had different kind of wls in the past 6 months, and none of them including me has ever had that done, no tube put down this nose..Good Luck!!
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 27, 2009
I have had WLS and other kinds of surgery and the tube is most definitely annoying. If its an NG tube(nasogastric) you are referring to; its mostly to monitor you and keep you safe thru the surgery. It stays in about 3 or 4 days and then its removed. Usually there is not a problem just that people are annoyed with it but most don't notice it much after the first or second day. I didn't. Good Luck and God Bless You, you are on your way to the best you, vinnigirl, retired RN
   — vinnigirl

January 27, 2009
Just had surgery in Nov 08 and if I had a tube it was in and out before I woke up. Only IV post op. Sheri
   — sheri139

January 27, 2009
I had Lap RNY 2/21/08 and my NG tube was removed the day after the surgery. Overall, it was pretty uncomfortable but it didn't interfere with my breathing. The day after surgery, it made it almost impossible for me to lie back in the bed because every time I did, it would gag me. It did end up making me vomit (which wasn't comfortable at all the day after surgery) and they removed it. From what I was told, it was always my doctor's plan to remove it the day after surgery anyway. Good luck to you!
   — dsmuffin

January 27, 2009
Sally, I had Lap RNY on 10/31/06 and they had inserted my NG tube after they administered the anesthesia and out before I awoke. Don't fret it will be alright. You will do just fine.
   — sparkle8062

January 27, 2009
I remember nothing about the tube so it must have been in while I was out. Hubby has a photo of me in recovery and I only had my BiPap mask on for the sleep apnea that I had then.
   — Cindy H.

January 27, 2009
i had surgery 7/4/08 I didnt have a tube.
   — cecilie

January 27, 2009
Hi Sally, just had open RNY last month and my NG tube was in for about 3-4 days after. I was just like you and even asked the docs about it before surgery because I was so worried. As everyone else has said, it did not make me gag, but it was very uncomfortable. Everyday I would bug them to take it out. If you have Lap surgery, it certainly won't be in as long, if at all. Good luck and don't worry....really.
   — sublym05

January 27, 2009
Sally, That was a big concern of mine too. I talked to my surgeon and he said he didn't use that tube. They just used the tube to help me breathe during surgery. It was out before I woke up. Good luck.
   — tonitoot

January 27, 2009
Sally -- I hear ya! I'm claustrophobic and my biggest phobia is anything that could -- in reality or just in perception -- interfere with my breathing, so that NG tube was not something I was looking forward to. I woke up from surgery with it in, and was too zonked out by the anaethesia to care -- and, by the time it was removed a day and a half later, I was only just beginning to become aware of it in a creeped-out sense. The biggest problem with it was I had to get a nurse to come and unhook it every time I needed to go to the bathroom and then come hook it back up when I was done. Getting it removed didn't hurt, either, just felt kind of weird. Best of luck --
   — Cheryl Denomy

January 28, 2009
I had rny in Dec. 08 and when I woke up from surgery I still had the nasogastric tube in. I felt like it did impair my breathing a bit-I felt a bit "smothery" but I was also in a good amount of pain and confused as to what was going on. (I didn't expect to have the tube at all-no one had informed me of it so it was worrisome) However, it was removed before I went up to my room, to my relief! Kristi
   — Kristi K.

January 28, 2009
I had the tube, and if I'm remembering correctly, it was taken out the morning after surgery. I was slightly uncomfortable but not painful. It felt odd as it was pulled out, but that also was not painful just uncomfortable.
   — gonnadoit

January 28, 2009
I had surgery on 12/30/2008 and I had the tube down my throat, but it was removed prior to my waking up after the surgery. My throat was very sore and scratchy until I could finally drink something. But I never had the tube down my nose, I would have died. I had the laproscopic surgery, are you have the open surgery. Maybe that is the difference.
   — tkilpatrick

January 28, 2009
Never had it. I had open RNY 1 year ago and there was no tube in my nose. I woke up with only an IV, urine cath, and oxygen.
   — Launa N.

January 28, 2009
Some of the posters that answered are talking about the Jackson Pratt drain that is left in your abdomen after your surgery. YOUR INTUBATION TUBE WILL NOT BE LEFT IN FOR 3 or 4 DAYS LIKE SOME OF THE POSTERS SAID. The intubation tube is removed pretty much before you're even aware of it. I've had surgery with intubation three times. I don't ever remember anything about the tube. Your throat might be a little rough after but that's the only way you'll remember you were tubed. Don't be afraid, it's not anything you'll have to deal with in any real sense.
   — Shirley D.

January 28, 2009
Hi I had VSG surgery 12 days ago. I did have the ng tube in for a day. I agree with most folks that it is uncomfortable. I will say this to you. Your mouth and lips will be very dry so take plenty of moisturizer for your lips and don't be afraid to ask the nurses for an ice chip every couple of hours or so to wet your mouth if you are uncomfortable. I had to spit the water back out until the NG Tube was removed but it was heaven to moisten your lips and mouth. By the way no one seem to have mentioned this so maybe it was unique to me, lol
   — Gordobl

January 28, 2009
I was told I would have a tube. It was put in after I was under and It was taken out before I woke.
   — Selendrile

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