I am thinking about removing or replacing my PEG. I have the one with the balloon on the inside. I have gone online and read that it is very simple, just deflate the balloon, pull it out, and either replace it or bandage it up. The only thing is the don't tell you how to deflate the balloon. Does anyone know how to do this?

This is probably pretty simple to do but I would NOT recommend doing this yourself. This could be a dangerous thing to do! You never know if you have any internal stitches holding it in place. I have a J/G tube and mine is surgically changed every couple months with a couple internal stitches holding it. I am awake and its done with only some topical lidocaine so I end up feeling almost everything the surgeon does.

When a patient is able to go for 2 months without using the feeding tube then they are ready to have it removed. During that 2 months, the patient must eat and drink everything by mouth and sustain their weight and good health. If you can do this then check with your gastro do and ask about having it removed.

Best wishes!

Yeah - I'm gonna ditto what Christine said... I have removed them before - it's the same principle as a catheter - it is deflated by taking a syringe and pulling back on the plunger - but it's a different line it goes into (usually air or water inside the balloon). This is something that a professional should do. (Used to be a nurse) go to the dr have it removed... It should be done in a sterile environment anyway. It's a hole directly into your stomach, while the stomach is not sterile by any means the flesh it goes through (not exterior - interior) should be kept as clean as possible - some people here change their own pegs. These are people who've been on them long term- and someone has trained a family member to do it. The thing with long term stuff like that is that over time the hole becomes permanent (ish) so there is less chance of a major infection - in your case since it's likely a fresh hole you're better off having it removed professionally,, have a good one.

The people who change their pegs are the ones who have the button. Its not the average PEG feeding tube users.

Remember Cheryl used to be a nurse so she would have come across this in her line of work. Im very glad she advised against doing this yourself. I am concerned about your safety and good health.

Mine is the button, not balloon, and has to be yanked out! It hurts when the gastrologist did it.

I'm sure you all are right. It's too soon to have it removed anyway. It's only been a little over 2 weeks since the end of Tx. My swallowing isn't improving as quickly as I thought it would, but neither is anything else. After reading more here on OCF I realize I have to be a lot more patient with my progress. I am concerned about the tube. It seems to me that it has gotten longer. Could the balloon have deflated some? Can I fix it? I guess I should have it checked. Thanks for all your advice.

Im so relieved to hear you will not do your own peg procedures!

Go see the gastro doc if you are experiencing changes with the tube. Maybe there is something wrong???

As you are experiencing, recovery is not a quick and easy process. It is full of ups and downs and many setbacks which can be frustrating and annoying. Recovery cant be rushed, it will take weeks before you begin to feel better and several months until you begin to return to your former lifestyle. If you focus on what is controllable (your intake) you will do better with recovery. Every single day take in a minimum of 2500 calories and 48+ oz of water and you will soon begin to notice small improvements. The first 2 or 3 weeks post rads are the hardest time of the entire process. Radiation is still actively working just like if you were going to treatments.

Hang in there, things will be easier soon.

It is possible it has moved or been tugged by accident. This can be a bad scenario if it has been pulled outside the stomach area and is leaking into your abdomen. I would definitely have it looked at. It is possible to dislodge it (though not easy). Please be patient with yourself. At this point you need to heal. To do this you need adequate nutrition, and hydration. If you are not eating enough or drinking enough on your own I would keep the peg a while longer. I had mine removed at two weeks post treatment but that was only because I never used it during treatment. hugs.

This happened to me where the feeding tube was adhered to my abdominal wall. If this would happen to you, I am positive you would know about it as I was in excruciating pain. Trying to even flush the tube would be enough to make me scream in agony. Trust me, you would know if this happened.