Question:
Has anyone else had trouble with their g-tube coming out?

I recently went in after 3 weeks and my g-tube was stuck. My Dr. said give it a couple more weeks?    — Jerry S. (posted on May 16, 2007)

May 17, 2007
Hi Jerry, welcome to the losing side. I am not sure I understand what you are asking. Your G tube, is that your drain? If it is stuck, what do you mean, is it clogged? You don't want a clogged drain tube for sure. I would call your doctor again and tell them you don't want a clogged g tube and do something about it. If you feel apprehensive about their comments and suggestions, call again and force their hand to see you. I would. You don't want anything to go wrong. I will tell you though, I went home from the hospital with no drain tube at all, so you may not need one. Maybe I don't understand a G tube. I just wrote to really say that if you are not happy with their advice, call again and force their hand to see you. Your health is important, and sometimes we need to be kind but more agressive in our approach. Take care. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

May 17, 2007
I did not have a g-tube ('g' = gastrostomy) post laproscopic RNY surgery but I did have a very painful bowel blockage (adhesion?) about four months afterward. This required emergency surgery to correct the blockage and left me with 27 staples on the surface and a g-tube. The g-tube was placed into the larger of my two sections of bisected stomach, the section that now receives no food from my mouth. According to my surgeon, there were two primary reasons for implanting the g-tube: (1) relieve gas pressure to keep internal closures from rupturing; (2) nutrition and 'oral' medication while I was in ICU for recovery. After a few days of recovery in the hospital, I was taking all of my food and oral medications by mouth again and the g-tube was just hanging there useless and getting snagged on things. My surgeon said that he wanted the g-tube to remain in place for another SIX WEEKS! The stated purpose of this was that the g-tube was holding my 'unused' section of stomach next to my abdominal wall; this would help the 1/2-stomach grow an adhesion to my abdominal wall so that it would not tend to move about inside me. Eventually my body was to grow a film over the inside outlet of the g-tube, after which the tube could simply be "yanked out" without need for another surgery to close off the hole. The g-tube began to give me abdominal pain and bloating within a week after leaving the hospital. Gastric juices were oozing out from around the tube at the insertion point and making permanent stains on my clothing. After two weeks I returned to the surgeon and asked that the g-tube be removed and the hole repaired surgically. He not only refused but was bruskly told that the g-tube would have to remain in place an ADDITIONAL TWO WEEKS! I was given colostomy bags to collect the oozing gastric fluid but they were of little help because the acidic fluids ate right through the sealant used between the bags and my skin. About a week after that, I was cleaning the mess around the g-tube that had oozed out before going to bed one evening. The g-tube came out of my abdomen on its own; there I was holding it in my hand!. This meant another trip to the ER. Juices were shooting out of the opening in a geyser during the trip to the ER and while I was on the table in the ER. The doctor on duty in the ER said that he wanted to reinsert another g-tube -- to which I emphatically stated that I would not sign any consent form for such a procedure. They eventually released me from the ER with a prescription for an antibiotic and more colostomy bags. The hole eventually stopped oozing and sealed itself off after another 2-1/2 weeks. Oh yes, my abdominal pain and bloating subsided within 24 hours after the tube came out. The g-tube coming out on its own was a BLESSING. So, if you are experiencing similar problems, I suggest that you be QUITE INSISTENT that your g-tube be removed and the remaining hole be surgically repaired unless your surgeon can give you a medically sound reason for leaving it in place. You are the first person I've heard of who had a g-tube directly after bariatric surgery. Make this known to your surgeon and find out why your case is so different from the norm. Also, what do you mean by "stuck"? Are you supposed to periodically drain fluid through the g-tube but can not because it is now clogged? (I was not told to release fluid/gas through my g-tube after leaving the hospital.) If you're not happy with the answers you get, seek a second, independent opinion. Remember, although some doctors may think that they are gods, they are still human and they make mistakes and errors in judgement just like everyone else.
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 27, 2007
I had a g-tube inserted during surgery because my stomach was so small. The surgeon said he did it as a precautionary measure in the event I was unable to hold any liquids sown. I had surgery on the 16 th of May and it gives me some problems such as redless, some oozing, and dull pain, but I am greatful I have it otherwise I would have ended up in the hospital again. I have told my doctor that education regarding g-tube insertion and maintenance is needed prior to surgeryif it is something that is done frequently. Hang in there, it may be the baloon did not deflate like it was supposed to. good luck
   — somedayskinny1-