feeding tube removal

[summer732]

Hey guys-
Has anyone gotten their feeding tube removed. Since my transplant i don't use it anymore and got mine removed becuase i've been eating so much. How long did it take for the hole to close up? How long does it take for the hole to stop leaking? What does it look like after it heals?
Thanks for all the help

 

[anonymous]

My tube has not yet healed and it has been 4 months. It's been rather frustrating because it still leaks. The area around it gets raw a lot because the acid from the stomache leaks onto the skin. It has gotten better over time but I am anxious for it to heal. I had it for two years. Kim

 

[anonymous]

my childs tube hole healed in about two with very little problems, now she tells people thats where she was shot, she had her tube for 9 years. the Dr. said if it does not heal or still leaks after about two weeks to give them a call.

 

[anonymous]

i got mine removed after about 5 months..i kept a bandaid over it for 3-4 days. it closed up pretty fast/ good luck

 

[ClashPunk82]

I actually just got one placed about a month ago and I am so happy I have gained about 9 pounds so far. I was down to 88 punds and am up to 97 right now. I thought when they removed the tube they would stitch the hole? Why don't they do that?

Nicole 22 CF

 

[anonymous]

hi nicole ,
i was wondering how long you stayed in the hospital to get your feeding tube? and do they put you all the way under?...my daughter traci is 16 i wrote to you before..... she is starting to lose weight. and we r in the process of going through testing for a lung transplant. before her lungs got worse she weighed 105lbs. she is now down to 100. they mentioned the feeding tube if she continues to lose. we see the doc tomorrow and i dont think she gained any. if anything lost another lbs. so if you can let me know whats involved stay wise? hard to do? anything would help ...thank you!
gail

 

[ClashPunk82]

<blockquote>Quote<br><hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>Anonymous</b></i><br>hi nicole ,

i was wondering how long you stayed in the hospital to get your feeding tube? and do they put you all the way under?...my daughter traci is 16 i wrote to you before..... she is starting to lose weight. and we r in the process of going through testing for a lung transplant. before her lungs got worse she weighed 105lbs. she is now down to 100. they mentioned the feeding tube if she continues to lose. we see the doc tomorrow and i dont think she gained any. if anything lost another lbs. so if you can let me know whats involved stay wise? hard to do? anything would help ...thank you!

gail<hr></blockquote>
Hi Gail, sorry I haven't gotten back in a bit, it's been crazy here! Well what did was I went on IV meds for about 2 weeks before the surgeryand then a few days before the surgery I went into the hospital to stay. I usually do home cleanouts.. I had the g-tube placed and also sinus surgery. And yes they put you fully under when they do this. After the surgery there was pain involved with the tube and they usually have you on morphine for it. The day after the surgery they came in to take a look at the tube and the loosened the T-bar just a bit so it wasn't so tigh against my skin. After about a week the pain went away and now after about a month there is no pain whasoever. Most of the time I forget it's there and have to check it to make sure it's still there and it hasn't fallen out <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> The feedings are really easy. You just flush the tube with water before you hook yourself up to the pump. They will explain everthing but it's really very simple. This has been the best thing for me. I don't have to worry about cramming the food in all day because I know I will be getting the calories overnight. Not saying you should substitute eating for the tube feedings but there is so much less pressure to force feed yourself. I hope this helps a bit and I hope Traci is doing ok and good luck tomorrow at the doctor's. <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

Nicole 22 CF

 

[anonymous]

thanks nicole...
you sound happy with yours! thats great i hear good things about them. i know traci will gain it back with the tube im not fighting that issue anything to help her i will do.
i can take a few days in the hospital.....lol i just hate it cause i worry about traci catching any other germ..she had a port put in back in oct and she did wonderful with that. the doc said all her other patients kept saying it hurt for days after...while traci said it was just an annoying pain a few days nothing to cry over she says.lol i have a trooper i know. she just doesnt do well being put under! but...... you do whatcha gotta do right?.......hows your health doing? it seems like as traci gets older the cf creeps in more and more....never had problems up until this past july when i thought she got a cold turned out to be lung damage and now on oxygen all the time!..but i shall keep fighting this.ok im venting im sorry , just so much to deal with cant imagine how the cfers feels! thanks so much for getting back to me!
gail

 

[anonymous]

the tube?....sooo i had it when i was born and all...and since then ive had a hole on my side..thats been basically there for 19 yrs...i believe they probably didnt CLOSE it up, so that in case i needed it later on...i was in BAD shape when i was born so i figure the doctors thought i would need it again
anyways so i grew up telling people i had a second belly button (as a child i REALLY believed it too)...so anyways i only heard about it getting removed/reversed like very recently
has anyone ever got it reversed? does it hurt? is it a MAJOR operation?....im not saying i dont like the look of it, im used to it...although it is a bt sensitive there...and i have ALOT of other scars, which im totally comfortable with, its only this 'hole' which concerns me
is it worth getting reversed you think? ooooor do u think i should just leave it alone, just in case for the future i guess?
what you guys out there think?
19 yr old girl w CF

 

[ClashPunk82]

Gail, my health is has picked up a lot, thank you for asking. I have gained 12 pounds so far with the tube and I am up to 100 pounds. I am aiming for 15 more pounds then I will be happy. And the great part is I am starving again. Since getting the tube I am so hungry and I am eating like I used to. It's such an awesome feeling to be hungry again!! I know it may be hard at first, Traci getting the tube, but in the end it was the best decision I made and I would do it again. Not only have I gained but my activity is so much better, I am about to start an exercise program and my PFT's have picked up. I just feel great and I know it's because I am gaining the weight back. Tell traci I said hello and that I hope she is feeling well and keep me updated on what's happening. And feel free to e-mail me also. It's clashpunk10282@hotmail.com. I hope to talk to you soon!!

Nicole

 

[anonymous]

Hey all~
Thank you for your responses. I actually ended up getting the hole sewed up. It was leaking so much it was ridiculous. I drank coffee one day and it was just literally pouring out of the hole as I was drinking. After that I went to the doc and told them they had to do something. So the hole is all sewed up stitches are out...problem resolved. They don't sew it up right away because they want to see if it will heal on its own, but when a hole has been in for 9 years the chances of that happening are slim to none. So thank God they helped me along!
Margaret
Double lung 11/11/04