Question:
Why do we need to cough and what about that tube that goes into the stomach?

Hi, I will be having my open RNY surgery done on March 17th! My first question is about the tube the put in your nose that goes to the stomach. Does it cause a lot of gagging? Does it hurt? And what about coughing. I was told I will have to cough, why is this? What if I feel no urge to cough and will the tube make it difficult? Thanks in advance! Tracy    — Tracydarlin (posted on January 22, 2003)

January 21, 2003
Hi Tracy, I can't help you with the tube, mine wsa put in and taken out while I was asleep, but as far as the coughng, that's to prevent yourself from getting pneumonia!! Gotta keep your lungs working, since you're not up and around a lot!!! Good Luck Cathy Whitmer
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 21, 2003
YES THE COUGHING IS TO PREVENT PNEUMONIA AND IT HELPS TO LOOSEN SECRETION IN THE LUNGS AND HELPS TO KEEP THEM FROM BUILDING UP IN YOUR LUNGS, WALKING HELPS THIS TOO. THE J TUBE AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND, I'VE ONLY DID IT ON A DUMMY, YOUR TOLD TO SWALLOW AS IT PASSES THROUGH YOUR THROAT THAT IS THE ONLY TIME IT'LL MAKE YOU GAG A LITTLE. BUT MOST LIKELY IT'LL BE DONE WHILE YOUR STILL OUT IT'S EASIER FOR YOU AND THE PERSON PERFORMING IT.
   — deniece M.

January 21, 2003
I worried myself sick over that tube that goes in the nose. You know what? I woke up and didn't have one. :) Instead there was a tube that went in right next to my WLS (open) scar. They took it out in less than a day. So I worried for nothing. As far as the coughing... well my open scar hurt so bad that I felt like my guts would come pouring out. So I hardly coughed and did'nt do any STRONG coughs. You know, I could actually feel fluid build up in the bottom of my lungs! I was scared I'd get phenmonia... yet I hurt to bad to cough. I wish I had thought about getting an abdominal binder to wear both in the hospital and at home. Heck, I could have gotten up alot easier as well as coughing without my guts feeling like they'd fall out. It is EXTREMELY important to cough. I could have easily got phemonia from not doing it. (By the way, get a big robe to wear at the hosptial and a hospital bed to use at home for a few weeks.)
   — Danmark

January 21, 2003
The NG tube that goes in your nose is very small. I was out when they placed it and pretty doped up when they took it out. I am a revision from VBG to RNY, so this is my second time. Both times, when they pull the NG tube, which was the day after surgery, it just feels strange and sorta burns. I freaked on the tubes too. I hardly knew it was there. As far as coughing...my doctor MADE me cough every time he came in. They encourage you to while you are sitting around. Ouch!! I hated that part. I really hated it. It's a vital part of your recovery, however, so you will be asked to cough. My doctor made fun of me because I tended to try to make sounds like I was coughing but it was not really a cough. I never had to cough while the tube was in place. Best wishes to you!!
   — Lindi R.

January 21, 2003
My NG tube must have been put in while I was out, and also taken out before I regained consciousness, as I don't remember it. As far as coughing, the anesthesia you breath is a "substance"....it gets into your lungs and you need to expel it. You most likely won't have a tube still in when you start the coughing. I recall starting to cough once I got to my room. I spent the first 12 hours or so in the ICU and don't recall coughing while I was there. You'll place a pillow against your abdomen when you cough...it helps still the jostling of your insides. And don't worry....you'll naturally cough as your body must expel what's in your lungs. Don't worry...it's not too bad. Hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 22, 2003
They put my NG tube in after I was out. Later that day, I could feel it in the back of my throat, but I didn't really pay much attention to it - my mind was on other things. Like the incisional pain (I had open RNY), and the dry mouth. The next morning after the barium swallow to check for leaks, the doc pulled it standing right there in the x-ray room. It burned alittle, kinda like water up the nose. <br> The respiratory therapist will come in every couple of hours and make you cough or blow on the spirometer - both of these will help clear your lungs. It's just something you gotta do. Mine literally stood over me until I coughed to his satisfaction. The only advise I can give you is to hold a pillow very firmly against your incision. <br> Also, just to let you know, I worried about this stuff too, and I went thru it twice - I am a revision from open VBG to open RNY. But it's like the ladies who have babies say - you forget the pain and discomfort very soon after and once you really start dropping the weight it is totally worth it.
   — Ali M

January 22, 2003
Just an interesting observation about the NG tube. Yes, they usually wait until you are out to put it in. After my first surgery, I still had it when I went for the leak test. I couldn't keep the barium in and they told me I would have to come back the next day and try again. I asked them if they couldn't put it down the NG tube and they said no. So I had to go back the next day and swallow that horrible stuff again. When I had to have the second surgery, I had to have another leak test. Same hospital, same xray dept. I went down and was lying on the table when they told me they were done. I said what about the barium. Then they told me they had put it into the NG tube! If you still have yours when you go for the leak test, ask if they can put the barium into you through it.
   — garw