There are several types of tubes. Most members have the regular PEG type tube. A very few get the Mickey button which is able to have the patients change it after instructions. My type of tube the J/G kind never would be able to be changed by a patient.

For safety reasons it was necessary to clarify that this type of maintenance should only be due with the guidance of a physician. I would not want to read of someone getting hurt by attempting to get curious and remove their tube to see if it would go back in.

From what Charm has written (he and his wife are unfortunately an expert patient/caregiver team with this kind of thing) its a very simple procedure. Im sure you will do fine! Glad its not something that needs to be done as often as what I have to go thru. At my next appointment I am going to inquire about switching since I see how much easier it is with the Mickey button.

Christine

It's pretty much unanimous on the Blenderized diet board and the Food for Tubie forum that AMT buttons are head and shoulders above the Mic-Key brand. Here is a link to the AMT G-Jet description, it has info for both clinicians and patients so you can send it to your doctors.
AMT G/J button
Actually, it's easier to change a G button than the regular PEG tube since the buttons have to be ordered in half centimeter sizes to fit the stoma exactly. Unlike the tube, a home changer cannot put it in too far or too short, it fits automatically by just laying it on the skin.
For the majority of OCF posters, there would never be a need to change their PEG let alone get a button. My AMT button is now two weeks past the 90 day Medicare allowance and going strong. Even better, for the very first time in 3 years, I do not have that painful granulation tissue that the Mic Key's gave me and that I had to burn off with those silver nitrate sticks.
Charm

Yay Charm....one small victory in all the aggravations that you have to deal with.

So glad to hear that the new equipment is working as it should and your body is liking it as well.

Deb