Question:
how to deal with ng tubes post-op
I am ABSOLUTLY TERRIFIED of having a ng tube. Do they hurt, do they gag you, are they always irritating the back of your throat??? This one thing is the only thing that makes me dread the surgery. I worry about it nite and day! Can anyone out there help me?!! — januaryrn (posted on June 26, 2002)
June 25, 2002
NG tubes: you are asleep when they go in, they feel like a bad case of
strep throat, but sucking on ice chips helps. My doc took mine out after 2
days, with the criteria being as soon as he felt I was no longer in danger
of experiencing nausea and vomiting. It is hooked to a slight vacuum which
keeps a bunch of ugly looking stuff out of your tummy and intestines.
After looking at what was coming out (bile, blood, phlegm, etc.) all mixed
together, I was grateful it was in. Good Luck!
— merri B.
June 25, 2002
My doc doesn't use them. Are you certain that yours does?
Either way, I know that I felt it would be uncomfortable but
worth it...try not to think so much about it. You will be a
bit out of it so you will not be looking at it the same way that
you are now...alert and clear without the benefit of pain meds
and an anesthesia hangover!
Take care, God Bless...
— Ann B.
June 25, 2002
Hello, please don't psych yourself into the fear of the ng tube. It really
is a helpful tool in our immediate recovery and therefore quite necessary.
Just make sure your nurses and those helping you are sensitive to it (not
bumping it, pinning it to your gown so you're comfortable). I had my leak
test the morning after surgery and about an hour after, my nurse said
everything looked good, so I got the tube out...that was a strange
sensation, followed by absolute relief! Yes, my throat was a little sore,
but ice chips helped that! By the time I left the hospital the next day,
my throat was fine. Please relax about the tube, it really is a small part
of the surgery, and quite necessary. You will do just fine!!
— LaRayne H.
June 25, 2002
Not a big deal. You're out when it goes in, when you wake up, it's mildly
annoying. Distracting. Not painful. My throat was kinda sorta sore, not
bad at all. And that, only once out of 5 times. (I had lots of surgery
before WLS). Personally, I fixate on the IV. LOL!
— vitalady
June 25, 2002
I am 6 days post op RNY...and I have to say that the NG tube was not my
favorite part of the whole ordeal! I had my leak test on day 4, then it
and all of my IV's were removed. I felt 100% better after they were all
gone! While it was in, it was kind of annoying, but not painful. I tend
to have very bad sinuses, and had alot of congestion while it was in, along
with post nasal drip...yuck! Once it was taken out though...heaven!
You'll do fine!
— MaryBeth R.
June 26, 2002
Hi Stephanie, I worried about ng tube also. However upon awaking from
surgery it was the least of my concerns. It didn't bother me much, a little
annoying, but no worse than the drain tubes, catherder (pardon the
spelling)etc. I was thirsty, so was glad when it came out. If you pant when
nurse is pulling it out, you'll be fine, probably won't gag and it will be
over before you know it. Try not to worry about it and keep telling
yourself you can do it!!!!! Good luck!
— lovebug2
June 26, 2002
The NG tube is put in after you are out and it doesn't hurt at all. My was
removed the morning after my surgery (about 7:30 AM) and that was totally
painless. I was so out of it the day of the surgery, that I didn't even
notice that it was in. The NG tube really isn't anything to worry about.
— Patty_Butler
June 26, 2002
The tube does not hurt - it is a bit uncomfortable - but nothing to be
afraid of or nothing to put the surgery off for....I read somewhere that
you can use chloraseptic (sp?)spray to help the irritation - so you can try
that - it is all worth it...I am down 145lbs and the ng tube is just a
memory :)
Good luck
— Sharon Jones
June 28, 2002
i too dread the ng tube but i can tolerate anything short term to reap the
long term benefits. i will just try to keep myself drugged up till it
comes out. good luck to u and dont sweat the tube so much that u cancel ur
surgery cause that memory too shall pass. good luck in ur journey
— amanda W.
June 28, 2002
Please don't be too worried about the NG tube. I had one for 2 days and it
wasn't so bad. My friends got a kick out of it because when I ate ice chips
the water just went right back into the tube. Very entertaining, at least
for them. :) When they take it out, it only takes a second or two,
literally. When it is is, just make sure it doesn't rub against the tip of
your nose. Mine did and it was a little sore, but healed up just fine. You
will do great! If I can get through that, anyone can! Good luck!
— Jennifer G.
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