Feeding Tubes

[PoolShooter24]

Hi as you know im 18 years old and i graduate High School in 8 days as of today!! But i was at the Doc last monday and they told me that i sohuld start thinking of A Feeding Tube Or G Tube....What Do you think im under the 5 percentile with my weight... im 5'5 and weight about 110...and im going of to college where im going ot meet new people that dont know me and would think something like that is crazy and my freinds now would be fine with it cause theyve known me forever any suggestions Rember its a suggestion to help me gain weight...not a need

 

[JazzysMom]

Back in 2000 I got extremely sick & dropped down to 89 pounds. I am 5' 3". I inquired with my doctor about a G tube because it was taking forever to get my weight to budge let alone put all of it back on. She was against it for a few reasons. One she felt that I could do it on my own with more discipline. Secondly she said that as an adult getting a g tube is much more invasive because of the stomach muscles being more developed & "strengthened" from the years of coughing. Thirdly she was afraid that I would rely completely on this & my overall health (just at that time) is fairly stable along with my weight. Do you honestly do all that you can on your own to gain? Do you exercise? Do you eat properly &/or do any shakes? I am sure the doctor is concerned about you going off to college & not having the "room" to lose any weight etc so thought this might be a good idea. Its definitely a personal call & you need to look into your soul for the honest answer! But thats my opinion. Good Luck!

 

[PoolShooter24]

you brought up good points....i do exercise i do eat properly most of the time...Mcds alot is that good or bad...? i work in a restraunt all home made cooking eat alot of that food and the only supplements i can stand is boost breeze which they have wuit making but i still have a case left

 

[wanderlost]

If it's just a suggestion, maybe give it a semster at college and see whta happens? College can be hard on the body as you'll probably eat less healhty, stay up later and be harder on your body in general...so you'd have to be quite disciplined with your healthcare, which is maybe why the doc is suggesting this. You have the whole summer to put on some weight, so take it as a chance to see if you can do it on your own and if you can, to show your doc that you will be responsible for it when you are away at school.

 

[littlemisssilly]

Hi,

Like the others have said, make a real effort yourself to try and put on weight, it may mean making smarter choices re: food and it may mean sometimes having to force yourself to eat when you're not really hungry. Start now because like Wanderlost said, College is hard both mentally and physically and you may lose weight because of the late nights, partying and if you're like me, finances are usually crap when you're a student so, food takes second place after paying essential bills.

McDonalds is ok if you can tolerate it, ie take enough enzymes and don't get too much malabsorption issues from it, if it gives you diahorrea, you maybe wasting your time with it.

There's lots of info on this site re: tips on gaining weight if you know how to search (becasue I'm not sure if I've figured that one out yet!) Good Luck.

 

[anonymous]

I'd have to say I'd try and avoid the tube for now and see how things go. Who know maybe you will get the freshman 15. If I could try to pass on some advice, I would play close attention to your class scheduling, for me this was key. I avoided early morning classes. Nothing worse then always being rushed/stressed in the morning to get to class. I also made sure I had time free in the afternoon where I could go back to my room for a nap. This was usually the quietest part of the day in my dorm. Also try to find a way to eat more often. Always care a couple nutritional bars with you in your back pack so you can eat them during classes. Good luck, have fun.

 

[lynchmobshredder]

Hi...i had a G tube put in when i was 10 i think and ive had it and used it ever sence.The tube saved my life i was so skinny and sick that they HAD to do it.
Im not going to lie to you because it is a hard thing to deal with and being a guy makes it even harder. But i would say hold off on it to....tell your doc you wanna try school before you have it done. If you can gain a few pounds on your own or at least stay at 110 you might be ok. After doing the feedings i feel alot better and i have gained alot of weight.

I am now 24 years old 6'0 tall and weigh 160. I am still under weight but i look better than i did when i was younger.

if you have any other Q's to ask me you can....my AIM name is Lynchmobshredder.

 

[IG]

a) try out college for a semester and see how it goes

b) bring enzymes. It's more like the freshman 20.