yet another feeding tube question....

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Daisylin
Daisylin Member Posts: 365
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Just a simple question here, but for some reason we are getting mixed answers from our visiting nurses and our oncologists.

Do you permanently need to keep the feeing tube covered with the gauze, tape and padding? Our nurse says it ALWAYS will have to be covered and cleaned on a regular basis. Our doctor said that although it will have to be cleaned, we only have to keep it covered for another week or so.

Also, can you bathe, swim or hot tub with a feeding tube? (once it's fully healed of course) Lee has been just taking quickie showers with waterproof tape covering the site since the surgery, but is dying to get into the whirlpool bathtub.

thanks!
Chantal

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  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    #2
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    Just the first few weeks
    Chantal,

    In my case my feeding tube site (J-Tube) was only covered for the first few weeks. After that I had to clean it periodically but did not have a dressing over it. I am not sure about the "hot tub" question because I had other major incisions that had to be covered with dressings but not my feeding tube site.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina
  • JimboC
    JimboC Member Posts: 264
    #3
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    If I recall correctly, I was
    If I recall correctly, I was told not to bathe while it was in. I could shower though. Initially, I left it uncovered but I started having drainage from it so I started covering it. Mine stayed irritated and never really healed but I thing that was self-inflicted. When I came off the vent after surgery, we noticed that I was having an allergic reaction to the clear dressing they had on it so they removed it. Well, the next day, I climbed into the bed and got my foot caught on the tube and darn near pulled it out. It worked but it was never really comfortable after that. By the time it was removed, all three stitches holding it in had pulled loose and the dressing was all that was keeping it in.

    I did clean and flush it daily even when it wasn't being used.
  • mruble
    mruble Member Posts: 174
    #4
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    Chantal --
    Like others, Chad
    Chantal --

    Like others, Chad used gauze until everything was healed or when he had drainage. He was able to shower, just no baths or swimming.

    Mary
  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
    #5
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    J-tube and gauze
    Hello Chantal!

    Nick didn't keep gauze around his J-tube incision for more than the 1st week or so. He's been "naked" around the J-tube since, other than a band-aid to hold the tube down and decrease the chance of "snags". I believe that he used the "self-stick" wax paper for showers maybe a week or two after the J-tube's placement.

    He has found ways to use the tub as he LOVES to soak, but has kept water below the J-tube site. Not sure about swimming or hot tubbing - I would expect not as that's a direct route into the small intestine. I would suggest a call to a doctor you trust for that one.

    EDIT: I've just found this link but am having a terrible time opening it as my Reader is throwing an error. This may have the answer you need. Got it :) Page 28. There *are* options. That's GREAT news!

    http://www.stjosham.on.ca/media/PatientED/F-J/PD 3087 Regional Tube Feeding book.pdf

    Terry

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