Question:
I don't understand what the gatrostomy tube is? Does anyone know and how bad is it?

   — catherine C. (posted on April 29, 2003)

April 29, 2003
Do you mean the instrument that the doc uses to look down into your stomach? If so it is a gastroscope. It has a camera, a small tweezer for biopsy and a light in it, fiber optics. It is about the diameter of a finger. When the tube is placed down your throat and into your stomach, the doc can see the inside of your esophogus, your valve into the stomach, your stomach and the valve to the duodenum. He can see if you have h.pylori, a bacteria that causes ulcers, see if you have a hiatel hernia and just to see how your stomach looks so there are no surprizes on the operation table. Most docs give some IV sedation before this test and that is a good thing- Versed and Valium worked great for me. Good luck with your test and know that it is an important one.
   — mary ann T.

April 29, 2003
A gasrostomy tube is a flexible rubber tube that is placed in your stomach from the outside via a puncture and usually held in place with a suture. In surgeons that use them, I believe they are there to help drain the excess gastric juices from the part of the stomach no longer being used after weight loss surgery. A gastrostomy tube can also be used to give feeding solutions in those who are unable to eat or drink adequately. My surgeon does not use G-tubes, so I can't tell you about discomfort levels.
   — koogy

April 29, 2003
I had a G-tube after my surgery. I had it taken out about 10 days post-op. It wasn't painful, but it was a little uncomfortable. I had to be careful not to snag it on anything. I was really worried it would hurt when the dr. removed it, but it was okay, it pinched a little coming out, but nothing painful.
   — Ali M

April 29, 2003
Hi Catherine: I'm 18 days post-op, and the drain was no big deal. It was actually quite a conversation piece (if you're one of those like me who think the human body is an amazing machine!) I had my drain removed five days post-op, and it didn't hurt at all. Just took a deep breath, and my surgeon removed it as I exhaled. The thing that was most interesting was that sucker was about a FOOT long (extending from one side of my abdomen to the other!) I will say it was a little uncomfortable laying flat in my bed while I still had the drain - sleeping in a recliner, or propped up on pillows was much better. But since it was removed, I've had no trouble laying flat to sleep. Best of luck to you! This time next year, you'll be STUNNING! :)
   — momstah

April 29, 2003
a gastrostomy tube is a tube that is inserted into the stomach and is typically used for feeding liquid nutrients to a patient. It stays in place because a bulb at the tip is filled with normal saline and sometimes is sutured in with one or two stitches. It is painless, mostly, but I suggest taping it to your abdomen and not letting it hang freely. The doc removes it about 2 weeks post surgery and that only pinches a bit. It truly is only there in case of emergency.
   — Donna T.