Question:
Is there a health reason why a patient cannot drink or have ice chips with an NG tube

Just back home from having my surgery last Thurs., 8/24. All is well. In reflection, the most misery was my doctor's orders to not allow any sips of water or ice chips during the time that my NG tube was in. This was literally unbearable. I found a way to work around it with mouth swabs and getting those as cold as possible, even sucking the excess from them. But I wondered if this is a universal thing, or just extreme caution on my doctor's part. Other than that, no complaints. Feedback?    — Lorri S. (posted on August 30, 2000)

August 30, 2000
All surgeons are different. Mine allowed me to have ice chips as soon as I was out of recovery (I still had my NG tube in at the time.) He also removed my NG tube late in the day on the day of surgery. Go figure!
   — BethVBG

August 30, 2000
I don't know about the NG tube, as my doc pulls it before I woke up. My doc's reason for no ice or real cold for the first 2-3 wks, is because it sets your pouch into spasms.
   — ZZ S.

August 30, 2000
I had open rny on a Thursday and had NG tube pulled out on Friday. I was allowed ice chips. The suction that was connected to the NG just removed it so no harm. I would have freaked without the ice chips. My mouth was so dry. It felt like my lifeline of course my morphine was in hand as well,lol Lou Ann
   — Lou Ann J.

August 30, 2000
I had a suction tube post-op. (No it wasn't uncomfortable. That was the least of my concerns anyway.) I could have ice chips, but was not suppose to drink anything. But you're so dry and that desire for water is so strong that I would wait a while so the ice would melt then sip the water (of course slowly). It didn't make any difference; the suction tube took it out right away anyway, but my mouth wasn't dry for a while.
   — blank first name B.

August 30, 2000
I was permitted ice chips as soon as I asked for them and they were refilled with the pitcher on my bedside table. My doctor said Enjoy Them...no problems at all. No spasms ...nothing but pure joy of the cold and liquid melting. I did not have an NG tube in me when I awoke.
   — Marilyn M.

August 30, 2000
Hi There, Congratulations on your surgery. Yes,you have a wise surgon. Usually it is to prevent any irratation to the new stomach, and to stop the nausha, but also to prevent any leakage, and time for the inside stiches to adhear. Linda
   — Linda H.

August 30, 2000
Mr. Surgeon told me ice chips only for the first 2 days then I went to a liquid diet. He left the G-tube in for 4 weeks, I just got it out yesterday. He said it was for any emergency that could occur or if I was having difficulty getting any food to stay down and needed to be fed. I had an open, distal. He encourages the ice chips so my throat could adjust to the different feel of swallowing. Yeah, I can only imagine what you went through. Still your doctor is who you have to listen too and I am sure he had a good reason. Glad you are doing okay. Peace, Trina
   — Courtrina Amur W.

August 31, 2000
My surgery was at 7:00 a.m. and my NG tube was out when I woke up. By the time I was lucid, I was allowed about a spoonful of ice chips every hour or so and as a reward for completing my breathing exercises until I completed the swallow test the next morning. Also, because I am a smoker, I was drinking Robitussin every four hours.
   — Allie B.