Depends on the persons current heath status, weight, and possible need due to surgery, radiation or chemoradiation compromising eating, swelling ability. I had on put in without my knowledge or signed for it while hospitalized, and in ICU, but anyway, it was necessary, and lost 110lbs just from chemo, so one never knows what will happen. Anyway, one was planned to be place before chemoradiation, but unplanned came first. I chose to get one for my recurrence, as suggested, being my Heath, weight, and eating ability was compromised, and still have it 3.9 years later, but do not use now, but did during my last treatmnt in October through December, and holding on just in case.