Question:
If you either had a G-Tube or were Venitlated Post Op, I'd like to hear from you.

My surgery is Tuesday 4-1-03 and Im scared to death because i hear that it is mandatory with my surgeon now to have a Gtube and that I will most likely be on a vent for awhile followong.....please someone telll me that I will be sedated enough not to care!    — Georgina F. (posted on March 28, 2003)

March 28, 2003
The G-tube is nothing, don't even worry about it. It will be the least of your worries. It'll be there when you wake up so you won't feel it going in and it doesn't hurt coming out. As far as the repirator, I guess its good that you know about it going in so when you wake up with it you're not worried that something went wrong. You might want to ask whomever is going to be with you in the hospital when you wake up to remind you right away that you know you'd have one and you're fine. (although I'm sure the nurse in the recovery room will tell you that too)
   — Monica H.

March 28, 2003
Hi Georgina, I had surgery( Open RNY) this past Monday 03/24/03 and I didn't have a G-Tube. However, I am wondering what a G-Tube is? Is it similar to a NG Tube, Nasal Gastro Tube? Anyway, I was on a vent during and following surgery but by the time I was awaken I had no idea. NONE! The doctor advised me of it before surgery but told me I would have no knowledge of it. So I guess it's best to find out how long he will need you to be on the vent. Hope that helps a little.
   — Steph P.

March 28, 2003
Steph, A G-tube is a gastro tube that is placed in the stomach of people who are unable to eat to feed them thru.
   — Delores S.

March 28, 2003
"A G-tube (gastronomy tube) is totally different and placed surgicall into the stomach (definately not a normal thing with gastric bypass--more with people unable to eat/swallow long term ). "-----G-tube is standard procedure with some surgeons, including mine. I have had two. They are more annoying than anything.
   — RebeccaP

March 29, 2003
Dont worry about the tube, I wish they had left one in for me after surgery, I eneded up having one put in 2 weeks post-op due to complications, and it was not very pleasant going in.....Coming out is no biggie, not painful at all... Good luck!
   — Crissy P.

March 29, 2003
My surgeon puts in a g-tube if you are diabetic or have sleep apnea and in my case because he removed 15 gastric polyps from my stomach 2 weeks before surgery. It was a safety valve in case my stomach created issues and to all them to get necessary meds into me that I might not be able to swallow at first or tollerate by mouth. It was more of a nusaince than anything, but not really until the last week or so. I was supposed to get mine at 2 weeks PO but had to keep it another 5 days because I developed severe diarrhea the 2nd week and I went back to using it to put fluids in because even drinking water nauseated me and caused my bowel to go wacko. So it was a good thing it was still there. However, I was ready to have it removed due to it sort of tugging on the one stitch that was holding it in. My muscles wall actually started spasming the last week and each time it would pull on the stitich. Not a major hurt but uncomfortable and sort of yucky. This will be put in during the surgery and coming out is quick and a minor blip of discomfort for a second or two. <p>The vent won't be put in until you are knocked out. As far as afterwards, if you still need it hopefully they will keep you sedated enough that you won't care. If you fight it too much you can be assured they will sedate you enough, so I wouldn't worry. They may be telling you that you will be on the vent so you are prepared for worst case scenario, but it isn't that common so maybe you will get lucky too. I know someone who just had surgery and she was an incredibly high risk for being on the vent for a while after surgery and she never had to be on it, so one never knows. Either way you will survive and in a short time will be just a distant memory of something that had to be done to keep you safe after survery. Good Luck! Chris
   — zoedogcbr