Hi everyone,
My boyfriend had his 1st surgery on Thursday February 7, 2008. He had the colon removed and the j-pouch created. He has not been on liquids yet due to dehydration and other small things but then last night he threw up so the doctor wants to put a NG Tube in. I was just wondering if anyone else had this? If it delayed their progress? and How long it was in for?
Thanks
Lisa

Perfectly normal and usually a few days. My son had the NG tube in and out 3 times as the ileus persisted. It is quite uncomfortable but may be necessary. If he has a deviated septum it may be even more of a nuisance.
The ng tube does not delay progress.
Was it a one time thing when he vomited? Did they give him pain meds by mouth?

I had the NG tube for all my surgeries until my bowels "woke up". Usually only for a couple of days each time. Irritating but harmless.

Thanks for the responses,
Josh has a morphine pump but he is trying to stop using it to see if that is what is making him sick. He only threw up once during the night. I was just concerned that he was supposed to be released by Friday and didnt know if that was still possible.
Thanks Again
Lisa

Hi lisa,

I never had the NG tube after my surgeries but I did have it once due to an obstruction. I was vomiting a lot. In order for you boyfriend to go home he will need to be drinking, eating, and using the bathroom. He also needs to be able to take oral pain meds if he needs them. I threw up the night before I was suppose to go home my first surgery. I made my mom promise not to tell them so I can go home. I think it was from the pain meds.

The NG tube was really painful when it went in, so he might want to use his pain pump prior to them putting it in. Once it is in, it is a bit uncomfortable but it made me feel better. It makes it hard to talk and a mild sore throat.

Hang in there. It is difficult to sit by watching and waiting. These surgeries can be quite overwhelming. Soon it will be a distant memory. Let us know what happens.

Kristen

Josh just had a tube placed through his stoma instead of his nose. I was wondering if any one else had this done? and did it help them?

Hey Lisa,

Sorry I didn't get to talk to you more the other day, so i figured I'd post here! I had an N.G. tube and a cath. put through my stoma after my surgery. They did it to check for a block. I heard it is pretty common to have a block/obstruction/ileus. I really hope he is doing well and this all clears up on his own! I'm still rooting for him to get out of there soon and feel better. Please tell him I say hello and that I'm thinking about him and hoping he gets better soon!!!

Lisa,
Sorry to hear about problems Josh is having. Are they saying what they think the problem is? Ileus? If he hasn't eaten anything, could he have a blockage? Was he vomiting a lot? Have they done a CT scan?

They are going to make sure that he can tolerate solids and his output isn't too watery before they release him. I had to ask for Imodium to help thicken things up, as they were also worried about me dehydrating. I also ate bananas,oatmeal,bagels and applesauce all the time and within a day things got better.

I hope this resolves itself soon and hope that he does get to go home Friday.

Hi,

I've had an NG tube for about 6 months now. I absolutely love it. At first yeah it really sucks but you get used to it after a day or two. I don't even know it's there anymore. Just make sure if you do decided to get it that you have a portable pump and tape it in a comfy spot. Sometimes when the tape isn't put in the right place it get's really uncomfortable. I think it's a good short term option.

Mollie

I had the ng tube for surgery and in the ER for blockages. As said before after surgery your bowels need to wake up. There is other pain meds besides morphine that he can take. I never used the morphine put. I had a pump with a different med. Hope this helps.

I had to have one in for about 3 1/2 weeks after my obstruction surgery and it was awful. I don't want to upset you, but I want to be honest. It's not so much that it hurts per se, but you are constantly aware of it and it is sooooo uncomfortable. Plus, the whole no-eating-or-drinking bit wasn't fun. The insertion of it is the worst part.

The guy I am supporting through his step 1 had the ng tube too. I found out that this does happen. The insides are not ready to do their job yet. He will have to take things slow.

Hi Lisa!

How is Josh doing? I din't have an NG tub but I had nausea from the pain killers so I hope that's all it was for him.. I stopped by the hospital and gave a booklet to Josh's parents along with a few other things. I hope they were helpful.

Erica

YUCK! I have had an NG tube several times, and its not the funnest thing to do, but if it helps, thats what counts