This might be a weird one. I have had my PEG since Early July and for 8 weels I was 100% reliant on it. It was a life saver, for both food and drugs. I am eating 100% through the mouth now, I might use the PEG for water just to keep it clean, I will have it removed in a couple of weeks, I hate it and love it at the same time and in truth I am having a bit of anxiety over having it removed. Werid huh?
Steve

Not weird at all.

Hubby and I both had trepidation about having the PEG removed since it was so much help to him during the worst times. You feel like, "What if we need it again???"

We did the same thing with the port....dragged our feet about having it removed.

So, you are pretty normal, I say!

Deb

Totally normal, I agree!

- Margaret

Steve,

I know just what you are feeling. I knew that for a few weeks my life depended on that tube for nourishment. Even once I began to eat by mouth again I began having thoughts of what will happen if for some reason I suddenly can't get enough nourishment by mouth, etc. It was almost as though I was trying to find some logical reason to keep the tube as a crutch, just in case. I say you are perfectly normal! I only hope they remove yours in a more comfortable fashion than they did with mine!

Bill D.

If you have maintained your weight for at least 1 month without using the peg, then its safe to remove it. How about meds? Do you take them all by mouth?

Just get rid of it. Get a pill cutter for any meds u can't swallow whole. For me it was actually a sense of victory when it was gone. I won that round. I had dreaded the removal. I had been told it was painful - the PA compared it to childbirth. When the time came to have it removed I followed instructions - shut my eyes, took a deep breath and counted to three.....and waited....and waited....and waited....finally the PA asked if the pain was still unbearable. What pain! I hadn't felt a thing. Woo-Hoo it was gone! Don't look back Steve. That PEG represents where you have been, you are on a new journey now.

I went to the oncologist today and he said get rid of the peg. I hit a breakthrough 10 days ago on swallowing, I eat like a pig now. Still take a swig of ensure for the realy dry stuff. I have even been to a few resturants. Today I actually ate a pickle and some onion rings with a burger!! It will be good to get rid of the appengage! BTW I think my Gastro wants to use a endoscope to remove it, not yank it out

He also scheduled me for my first PET scan post tx, will post the hopeful good news

Steve

I had mine removed and it was a piece of cake. Once my weight became stable, I had it removed. Mine was a "no pain" experience, removed the liquid from the inside and it popped out. I don't miss it and tried to convince mt grandkids " this is where I was shot", they're not buying it.

Hi, Everybody,
I had my PEG removed last Friday (yea!) The Dr. just yanked it out - Yikes! It hurt like heck for a minute or so, but seems to be healed now. I just look like I have an extra belly button. It makes it a lot easier to get dressed!

Yeah, I did get mine out yesterday. So great! I will tell anyone who asks I was shot in 'Nam. Or maybe that I was one of the rare cases of having two umbilical cords.

Nice to have nothing sticking out of my bellie!

Steve

Steve,

Mine has been out for over 3 years now and is what I call my second navel. When I'm around small kids without a shirt, on rare occasions, I tell them it's an old gunshot wound. They always respond with "REALLY??!!". I have even been asked if that's what it is, usually by nursing folks, when going to other docs offices. Can't fool the docs though, the ones I have seen for other issues usually speak up and ask, "what did you have a PEG tube for"?

Bill D.

So, the hole doesn't go away, then?

The hole heals very quickly. There will be a small scar left.

I have 5 holes from Nissen Fundiplication surgery and have had a few Drs and Medical people ask if they are scars from my being shot. LOL I guess they do look a lot like bullet holes from years ago. LOL . Damn jealous husbands anyhow..

I learn something everyday here on OCF -besides EZJim's amorous past . So if I ever do get this PEG out, the scar won't just disappear like the trach hole did? Still, it would be a very small price to pay.
charm

Steve is still waiting to get his peg out. Hasn't used it in about 6 weeks now but still his doctor says no. After all of the issues we had when it was first put in they are reluctant to put Steve through that again incase we need it. Very disappointing for Steve as he hates the rotten thing although he has gotten used to it. It must be very liberating to have it gone and to then be able to sleep on your stomach again for the first time in months.

I did get it out Wd, not only is it nice to sleep on my bellie, I can scratch my stomack without messing with the tube!

Steve

It's nice to be able to dress without having to have a pocket to put the end of the PEG into. Also, to be able to tuck a top in. If the hole stays, maybe I'll just put a jewel in it:)

Hey, that is a hot idea, instead of a bellie buton ring a PEG hole ring....HOT HOT HOT!

Steve

No I like the jewel approach better than the ring.

That was how I felt also. Since I hadn't used my tube in 6 months and had a good report in 12/08, I scheduled surgery to have my tube removed. Surgery was scheduled in late-February. I went in for another check-up in mid-February and had some suspicious growth again. Biopsy showed cancer had come back for the third time. So the removal was cancelled and I did really need mine again. Even more so now after the glossectomy because I can only swallow slightly. I have managed to get small syringes of chicken broth down and a few other thin liquids without coughing and or choking too bad. I have only had aspiration pneumonia once. It has been 8 months since my surgery.

Richard S