Question:
Help in understanding NG tubes!

Hello all...I am having surgery 8/13/02 and had my last pre-op today (all is ago). My surgeon says I will have an NG tube in the first day of surgery, but he will take it out the next day if I am progressing as expected. I was scared initially in having the tube in (thinking I won't be able to breath, etc.) but in researching the question database here, one of the best explanations that I ran across from a member is that it feels like a bad sore throat (got my throat spray in my bag!). Is this correct? If so, I'm sure I can tolerate it. Any suggestions on dealing with it? THANKS IN ADVANCE TO ALL THAT RESPOND!! Vikki Hoke    — Vikki H. (posted on August 8, 2002)

August 7, 2002
I had an NG tube for a little over 24 hours and other than making my throat scratchy, it was nothing more than irritating. When they pulled it out it was a little painful on the nose cavity, but it was out in less than 3 seconds, so no biggie. I did have bloody boogery type stuff come out of my nose for another day or two but it wasn't painful or anything. I have pictures of me in the hospital with it in, so e-mail me if you want them. Best of luck!
   — Paula Prichard

August 8, 2002
hey Girl, I have had NG tube several times, it is no big deal, it is more uncomfortable than anything. You can breathe just fine..It is kind of like a sore throat...Best of luck to you!!
   — Sharon1964

August 8, 2002
I think you'll find that immediately following major abdominal surgery, an NG tube is like having a sore throat, not too bad. But you will neither care, nor feel like doing anything about it. It just is. Let the the nurses and doctors take care of you and you'll be just fine! Good luck and God bless!
   — Carolynn J.

August 8, 2002
I hate to be on the negative side here.... but I thought my NG tube was the ABSOLUTE WORST thing out of my entire experience in the hospital. I gagged on that sucker constantly... I begged the nurses to take it out.. and when the surgeon visited me - I begged him too! He took it out right away and I felt Soooooo much better overall!!!
   — Valerie H.

August 8, 2002
When I had my lap done, I did not have a ng tube. I must be honest and tell you that I did worry about having to have one. I am a nurse and have inserted plenty of them, and that is the one thing that we routinely do to people that I would truly, truly hate to have done to me. I think one of the most irritating things would be that you can see it taped to your nose. That would drive me crazy..
   — denaa

August 8, 2002
During my Open RNY in October 2000, I had an NG tube that was inserted while I was under anestesia. During the first day, I was so drugged up that I didn't really care that I had it. By the second day I was gagging on it, and since it wasn't draining anything, they removed it. It wasn't that bad. When I had a bowel obstruction in December, they had to insert the NG tube in the emergency room. What a horrifying experience, and I had it for over a week!! Same gagging feeling. It wasn't the end of the world though. Good luck,
   — enjo4

August 9, 2002
Hi, just had open RNY on July 18. Had an NG tube inserted while under anesthesia. It stayed in until early the next morning. If you are worried about any pain when it's removed, ask the nurse to give you pain medication about 30 minutes before it's due to be removed. I didn't even feel mine come out.
   — Chris S.