G-Tube in Adults

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ChelsAnn

New member
Hey Guys,

I currently have a g-tube which I have had since I was about 8 years old and lately have not needed to use it at all. First, I started to not use it at home because I could maintain my weight and would only do feedings when I was in the hospital and lost my appetite due to the antibiotics. However, I didn't use it the last time I went into the hospital and am thinking that if I can maintain my weight through several hospitalizations without using my g-tube that maybe I could get rid of it. Are there any other adults out there who have gotten rid of their g-tube or currently have one? What are your experiences with this? If you did get your tube taken out, how did that go? Just looking for some advice. Thanks...
 
C

ChelsAnn

New member
Hey Guys,

I currently have a g-tube which I have had since I was about 8 years old and lately have not needed to use it at all. First, I started to not use it at home because I could maintain my weight and would only do feedings when I was in the hospital and lost my appetite due to the antibiotics. However, I didn't use it the last time I went into the hospital and am thinking that if I can maintain my weight through several hospitalizations without using my g-tube that maybe I could get rid of it. Are there any other adults out there who have gotten rid of their g-tube or currently have one? What are your experiences with this? If you did get your tube taken out, how did that go? Just looking for some advice. Thanks...
 
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Emily65Roses

New member
I've never had one, so others here will have better answers for you. But I've certainly heard of adults who once had a G tube, and then were able to maintain their weight better, so they had them taken out.
 
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Emily65Roses

New member
I've never had one, so others here will have better answers for you. But I've certainly heard of adults who once had a G tube, and then were able to maintain their weight better, so they had them taken out.
 
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anonymous

New member
I have a g-tube now! i got it last year! I weighed like 80lbs at most so they decided to put one in me! Now this year, i have been able to keep my weight up... I use it when i go into the hospital cause i never eat enough in there.. so that is the only time i use it is when i get sick! I really hate it! it leaks everywhere on my shirts!!And lately it has been getting these noids or whatever they are and they hurt! I have talked to my hubby about getting it out and he thinks that i should wait till after tx... But i havent talked to my dr yet! i am a little scared to ask her!! anyways i think that it would be ok to get it out if you havent needed to use it for a while! but that is just me and thats how i feel about it!
Cariann 21 w/cf cfrd mrsa
 
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anonymous

New member
I have a g-tube now! i got it last year! I weighed like 80lbs at most so they decided to put one in me! Now this year, i have been able to keep my weight up... I use it when i go into the hospital cause i never eat enough in there.. so that is the only time i use it is when i get sick! I really hate it! it leaks everywhere on my shirts!!And lately it has been getting these noids or whatever they are and they hurt! I have talked to my hubby about getting it out and he thinks that i should wait till after tx... But i havent talked to my dr yet! i am a little scared to ask her!! anyways i think that it would be ok to get it out if you havent needed to use it for a while! but that is just me and thats how i feel about it!
Cariann 21 w/cf cfrd mrsa
 
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rcq925

New member
Chelsey,

Can't give you any advice as to whether or not to get it out. But my daughter Hayley, had the Nissen Stomach Wrap surgery and had a mickey tube placed for venting air for a few months while her body adjusted. We never used it for feeding or for anything other than venting. She had it for about 2 months and then it was pulled. Her surgeon just pulled (yanked) it right out in his office and the whole closed within 24 hours. I think we put gauze and a large bandaid over it for a few days. She screamed for about 5 minutes and then it did not seem to bother her at all. She was 6 months old at the time.
 
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rcq925

New member
Chelsey,

Can't give you any advice as to whether or not to get it out. But my daughter Hayley, had the Nissen Stomach Wrap surgery and had a mickey tube placed for venting air for a few months while her body adjusted. We never used it for feeding or for anything other than venting. She had it for about 2 months and then it was pulled. Her surgeon just pulled (yanked) it right out in his office and the whole closed within 24 hours. I think we put gauze and a large bandaid over it for a few days. She screamed for about 5 minutes and then it did not seem to bother her at all. She was 6 months old at the time.
 
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AmyKins

New member
I have one- I got it a year and 1/2 ago. I don't like it, but it def. helps. I was very sick this past October and lost a ton of weight and since then I have been able to put on 10 lbs. cause I get feedings at night. I get 1500 calories a night. I don't really notice Im getting them, I just sleep right through it, sometimes I wake up really full, but thats rare. I hate when it leaks, but I guess you have to do what you have to do to stay healthy. I don't think I will ever be able to get it out- i can't maintain on my own.
 
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AmyKins

New member
I have one- I got it a year and 1/2 ago. I don't like it, but it def. helps. I was very sick this past October and lost a ton of weight and since then I have been able to put on 10 lbs. cause I get feedings at night. I get 1500 calories a night. I don't really notice Im getting them, I just sleep right through it, sometimes I wake up really full, but thats rare. I hate when it leaks, but I guess you have to do what you have to do to stay healthy. I don't think I will ever be able to get it out- i can't maintain on my own.
 
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anonymous

New member
They wanted to give me a Gtube in September when I went down to 93 lbs and stayed there for a few months. I tried to gain weight but it was hard and then I just said to myself well, "its either gain weight or get a g-tube," which to me was out of the question. so i gained weight. I counted calories and made sure I was getting more than even the G-tube would have given me. 3000 calories a day, 100 grams of protein. I gained 19 lbs in 2 months.

I think if you think you can keep your weight on yourself, and put your mind to it, you should get the g-tube out. I totally see why some people might not mind it, but it was just an added something I DID NOT WANT. I also see why its good for kids. Its all about just getting the calories into your body, plain and simple. This is just my perspective. As an adult I think you could definitely do it, and since you barely use it, it must be an annoyance and would probably feel great to have it out. And it would make you feel better about everything. I just went through a cleanout and lost about 7 lbs., but I am not worried and have the confidence that I gain the weight back myself.

Caitlin
22 w/ CF, b. cepacia
 
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anonymous

New member
They wanted to give me a Gtube in September when I went down to 93 lbs and stayed there for a few months. I tried to gain weight but it was hard and then I just said to myself well, "its either gain weight or get a g-tube," which to me was out of the question. so i gained weight. I counted calories and made sure I was getting more than even the G-tube would have given me. 3000 calories a day, 100 grams of protein. I gained 19 lbs in 2 months.

I think if you think you can keep your weight on yourself, and put your mind to it, you should get the g-tube out. I totally see why some people might not mind it, but it was just an added something I DID NOT WANT. I also see why its good for kids. Its all about just getting the calories into your body, plain and simple. This is just my perspective. As an adult I think you could definitely do it, and since you barely use it, it must be an annoyance and would probably feel great to have it out. And it would make you feel better about everything. I just went through a cleanout and lost about 7 lbs., but I am not worried and have the confidence that I gain the weight back myself.

Caitlin
22 w/ CF, b. cepacia
 
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anonymous

New member
You've had your g-tube in for a long time. I would say if you are not using it then get rid of it. But that is just my opinion. I'll tell you that the hole that is left when they pull it out will not close on its own. I had my tube in for 8 years. They pulled it out and were like okay your are good to go. I looked down and there was a hole in my stomach. I questioned them about it and they were like oh yeah it will totally close on its own. Hello the thing was in for eight years, that hole was pretty much healed. So i didn't argue with them and went on my way. Well all of my food was coming out of the hole. I had to wear guaze pads and wrap an ace bandage around my stomach because I was changing the gauze pad so much the tape was killing my stomach. So i came to the end of the line when I got a coffee one day and as I was drinking it, it was simultaneously coming out of my stomach. So needless to say I got on the phone with the doctor and they arranged to have it sewn shut. Thank God! So I would say if you do get it out make sure they sew it up for you too.

Margaret
Double Lung tx 11.11.04
 
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anonymous

New member
You've had your g-tube in for a long time. I would say if you are not using it then get rid of it. But that is just my opinion. I'll tell you that the hole that is left when they pull it out will not close on its own. I had my tube in for 8 years. They pulled it out and were like okay your are good to go. I looked down and there was a hole in my stomach. I questioned them about it and they were like oh yeah it will totally close on its own. Hello the thing was in for eight years, that hole was pretty much healed. So i didn't argue with them and went on my way. Well all of my food was coming out of the hole. I had to wear guaze pads and wrap an ace bandage around my stomach because I was changing the gauze pad so much the tape was killing my stomach. So i came to the end of the line when I got a coffee one day and as I was drinking it, it was simultaneously coming out of my stomach. So needless to say I got on the phone with the doctor and they arranged to have it sewn shut. Thank God! So I would say if you do get it out make sure they sew it up for you too.

Margaret
Double Lung tx 11.11.04
 
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Jane

Digital opinion leader
Both my sons have had their g-tubes for two years. I'm sure they would yank 'em in a minute if they could. It is a huge hassle, but so is worrying about them not getting enough calories The only good thing about having it in place, even if you're not using it, is that is a backup if you get sick.
 
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Jane

Digital opinion leader
Both my sons have had their g-tubes for two years. I'm sure they would yank 'em in a minute if they could. It is a huge hassle, but so is worrying about them not getting enough calories The only good thing about having it in place, even if you're not using it, is that is a backup if you get sick.
 
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