To elaborate more on KristenS's granulation comments.... Granulation is something almost every feeding tube user will go thru from time to time. It can be very, VERY painful and uncomfortable. The granulation is a sign the patient is overdoing it. When someone has a feeding tube all kinds of things can affect it and its placement. Complications can arise if the patients is not careful while they have a tube. Feeding tube users do not usually have to stay put on the couch unless they have other issues going on. Things not to do with a feeding tube.... lift anything over about 25 pounds, strenuous exercises, swimming, soaking in a hot tub or bathtub, scuba diving, any activity that requires heavy use of abdominal muscles like rock climbing or gymnastics. Regular housework is ok, same with gardening, walking, laundry, etc. Just be careful not to carry heavy laundry baskets or lean the baskets against your stomach. For further feeding tube advice, you can talk this subject over with your gastro doc.

Feeding tube users should use a drain sponge (a 4"x4" gauze bad that has a cut on one side) at the tube site between their skin and the plunger disc. If the patient has granulation ask their doc for a prescription for silver sulfadine cream. Use a q-tip and place a very thin layer of silver sulfadine cream around the feeding tube site then cover with a drain sponge. The silver sulfadine cream should very thin where you can slightly see thru it, do not rub it in, allow it to soak in. Change the drain sponge daily after showering.

Hope this helps!