Question:
Any advise on the NG tube?

I am really worried about the NG tube....Met the nurse at the hospital yesterday while doing my pre-op testing...and she explained everything!!! I think that tube up my nose and down my throat my BUG me the most. How did you guys handle it? Thanks - 6 days and counting Sharon    — Sharon H. (posted on May 8, 2002)

May 7, 2002
I knew about the NG tube prior to surgery. The idea didn't bother me. But, 3 days before my surgery, I went to visit my angel. She had one and was very annoyed with it! This totally freaked me out! <br> When I woke up, I was so happy (no pain---epidural, and still tired), that I knew the NG tube was there but I didn't care. You know, it never once hurt. It got annoying at the end...I really wanted it out, but it wasn't that HUGE of a deal. When it did bother me, it felt like the sinus duct behind my nose, was dry...although this was just me! Not a big deal~ Good Luck!
   — Kristin R.

May 7, 2002
I felt like my throat was really dry, I told the nurse and she brought me some mouth swabs and ice chips. I would get the swab wet and stick it in the back of my throat and just wet them down a little , I couldnt even tell they were there if I kept them moist, and the next morning they came in and took them out. my husband who is also post op doesnt even remember having it in! so we are all different, have a great day!
   — rebecca N.

May 8, 2002
WELL NOT TO DISSAPOINT YOU BUT I THING THAT DARN THING WAS ONE OF THE WORST PART'S OF THE SURGERY . I HAD TO LEAVE MINE IN FOR THREE DAY'S IT WAS SO UNCONFORTABLE .I DID NOT EVEN WANT TO TALK TO ANYONE UNTIL I GOT MINE OUT BECAUSE IT WOULD RUB UP AGAINST THE BACK OF MY THROAT WHEN I WOULD TALK I WAS SO RELIEVED WHEN IT CAME OUT ALSO DON'T BLOW YOUR NOSE TO HARD AFTER YOU GET IT OUT .THAT'S WHAT I DID AN MY NOSE STARTED TO BLEED UNCONTROLLABLEY FOR 5 MIN. THAT WAS SCARY I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BLEED TO DEATH BUT I DID NOT . BUT DON'T WORRY YOU WILL GET THROUGH IT.JUST WAIT TO YOU GET THE DRAIN OUT THAT WILL TAKE YOUR MIND OFF THAT NG TUBE EXPERIENCE THAT'S JUST AS BAD (HA HA ).YOU WILL BE FINE.IT WILL BE OVER BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.
   — KIM B.

May 8, 2002
I never even knew I had one after surgery. No effects from it at all and it was removed before I was even awake.
   — crishsapig

May 8, 2002
Hi Sharon, the silly NG tube is a nuisance but necessary. I had my surgery in Dec. 2001 (open VBG), knew I was going to have the tube so was expecting it when I woke up. It is not comfortable because you have something crammed up your nose but I wouldn't say it was painful. My surgeon had explained that he would need to keep my stomach drained and wanted the pouch to stay flat and emptied of air so it could begin to heal better. Made sense to me and he was right because it did drain all kinds of yuccky stuff (sorry) so it served its purpose. They took it out the next day, no sweat. Good luck to you!
   — esthjb

May 8, 2002
Sharon--I am 6 days post-op and had that pesty NG tube remove the day after surgery. YES, is is difficult to talk with it in as it rubs on your throat and bumping it in your nose gets a little tiring. Take each day at a time and remember that it WILL come out. The thought of a tube coming out of our body is not a happy thought but think of the reason you are going through all of this. You will see. Hope this helps.
   — KristyKatt

May 8, 2002
Surg 4/30 home 5/3 All docs are different mine didn't require an ng tube we had to do a bowel prep the night before and not eat or drink anything from midnight on. The only thing I had going into surgery was an IV they put the tube down my throat while I was asleep when I woke up all I had was an IV and he doesn't use catheters because he wants you up as soon as possible. I was up 3 hours after surgery (open rny). took my demerol every 3 hours though.
   — SAMANTHA B.

May 8, 2002
They put that tube in your nose after you are out so you don't feel it. It doesn't hurt after, its just uncomfortable. I also had a catheter but that came out the next day along with the NG tube. I didn't feel the catheter coming out but I did feel the NG tube. It didn't actually hurt but did feel weird coming out. They take it out so fast that you don't have time to even think about it. It comes out in seconds. Don't worry about it. Hit your morphine button before they take it out and you'll do fine.
   — Peggy D.

May 8, 2002
I too was worried about the NG tube. It was odd at first, but didn't bug me so much. Be careful the top doesn't rub against your nose...mine did and my poor nose was so sore for days. It healed just fine, though. My best friend thought it was hilarious that when I would have ice chips, the water would just come right back through the tube. I am so glad I was able to be so entertaining. :) Mine was pulled out the day after surgery, and it only lasted a second. Same with the drain tube if you will have one. It didn't last long, just felt odd coming out. (I thought the drain tube felt stranger coming out than the BG tube, but that's just me.) I wish you the best on your journey! Take care!
   — Jennifer G.

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