Getting the PEG out

dogsrule

Good Morning everyone
I hope everyone is feeling better today. I have an appointment tomorrow to get the PEG out.
I was waiting until after my PET came back and what the outcome of that would be. Now that the scans are good I believe it is time. I have been using it still, supplementing with it. I have so much Jevity left and feel as long as the tube is in why not use it. I know I have to eat more. I guess I have gotten a little lazy to. It's easy to put a can in and know I am getting the calories and nutrition. I also crush up pills and put them in the tube, I am afraid to swallow them as I had a choking incident with a vitamin a couple months back.
What can I expect when they take it out. I guess it hurts when they pull it? Also how long does it take to heal up. Do they stitch it?
It's the final thing to getting back to the "new normal". I appreciate any insight you can give me. It's been a long road to get to this point. Everyone that is still in treatment and suffering please know that there is light at the end of the tunnel and it will get better.
God Bless
Jo

Glenna M

Congratulations!!!
Let me be the first to congratulate you on having your tube removed. My doctors wouldn't remove mine until I was able to eat and maintain my weight for 6 weeks without using the tube. I hated the tube so much that I would eat even though I couldn't taste anything ;-)

It only hurts for a few seconds after they remove the PEG and then no pain at all!! They do not stitch the wound (which surprised and concerned me) they just pressed a gauze pad against the wound for a couple of minutes and then cover it with gauze and tape. Your not allowed to get it wet for the first couple of days but after that it's fine. It will start to heal on the inside within a few hours and the outside should be healed within a few days. I was surprised and pleased at how simple the entire procedure was.

Please DO NOT eat or drink for at least 6 hours prior to removal. The doctor who removed mine said he had a few patients who did and when he removed the PEG some of the food they had came flying out all over him - lol

Relax Jo, it really is a simple procedure and you will now be on your way to your "new normal". Again, congratulations!! Having the tube removed was one of the happiest moments of my recovery. It was such a pain in the butt having this long tube hanging out of my stomach and having to coil it up after each use and trying to hide it so it didn't cause a bulge in my blouse ;-)

God bless you also. Please post after you get it removed so we will know how you are. My doctor also told me that women tend to do better at having it removed then men do, I guess it's because women deal better with pain then men do - LOL

Take care,
Glenna

ratface

Glenna M said:

Congratulations!!!
Let me be the first to congratulate you on having your tube removed. My doctors wouldn't remove mine until I was able to eat and maintain my weight for 6 weeks without using the tube. I hated the tube so much that I would eat even though I couldn't taste anything ;-)

It only hurts for a few seconds after they remove the PEG and then no pain at all!! They do not stitch the wound (which surprised and concerned me) they just pressed a gauze pad against the wound for a couple of minutes and then cover it with gauze and tape. Your not allowed to get it wet for the first couple of days but after that it's fine. It will start to heal on the inside within a few hours and the outside should be healed within a few days. I was surprised and pleased at how simple the entire procedure was.

Please DO NOT eat or drink for at least 6 hours prior to removal. The doctor who removed mine said he had a few patients who did and when he removed the PEG some of the food they had came flying out all over him - lol

Relax Jo, it really is a simple procedure and you will now be on your way to your "new normal". Again, congratulations!! Having the tube removed was one of the happiest moments of my recovery. It was such a pain in the butt having this long tube hanging out of my stomach and having to coil it up after each use and trying to hide it so it didn't cause a bulge in my blouse ;-)

God bless you also. Please post after you get it removed so we will know how you are. My doctor also told me that women tend to do better at having it removed then men do, I guess it's because women deal better with pain then men do - LOL

Take care,
Glenna

It hurts
I'm not going to lie to you. It hurts. They give you a silver bullet and you firmly grasp that between your front teeth. They then use the burliest male/female nurse, janitor, passing delivery person who comes in, puts their foot on the chair and yanks. Whala, it's over.

Really you sit in the examining chair. The nurse usally does it. Doctors arn't typically relegated to this mundane duty. She will tell you it will hurt. You look away. Two seconds later you have tears in your eyes and she has the thing in her hand. The pain is now gone. I highly recomend cauterizing the wound if needed. They take a cotton swab and dab on some stuff that burns and hurts more than anything in this world but several days later all that overlapping skin turns black and just falls off and you have a very clean and small wound site. The actual opening will probably begin closing on its own as you are walking out of the hospital. Plan on rest the remainder of the day. No more guarded walking and getting the tube caught on overhanging obstuctions. Just drink the ensure from that point forward. I'm nine months post and still drink a can when I'm on the run and need calories.

You will feel human again and not like some robot hooked up to artificial tubing, a liberating milestone worth every short second of pain. The scar is immensley cooool!

dfdb06c

PEG comes Out
Jo, congratulations also, this was a big step for me. I had mine removed last month (April) after not using it for 6 weeks. My Dr offered to pull it out on the spot or schedule a date to do it under anesthesia, I opted to get it out NOW. He started a conversation about my family and at an unannounced moment just pulled hard and quick and out it was. The pain is noticeable but short lived and does heal up quickly, noticeable improvement in just 1 week. I am still using nutrition drinks but just using my throat now, getting about 30-40% of my calories from food. If swallowing is an issue I would check with a Physical Therapist to assist you with swallowing exercises, I did this and it made a big difference. They can also check to see if esophagus needs to be stretched out.The main problem now is the saliva issue, which will just take time. Do you still have your "port", I am 5 months post treatment and still have mine, probably will till end of this year. I understand about the long road, wish you all the best with the rest of your recovery.
Kenny

Fire34

dfdb06c said:

PEG comes Out
Jo, congratulations also, this was a big step for me. I had mine removed last month (April) after not using it for 6 weeks. My Dr offered to pull it out on the spot or schedule a date to do it under anesthesia, I opted to get it out NOW. He started a conversation about my family and at an unannounced moment just pulled hard and quick and out it was. The pain is noticeable but short lived and does heal up quickly, noticeable improvement in just 1 week. I am still using nutrition drinks but just using my throat now, getting about 30-40% of my calories from food. If swallowing is an issue I would check with a Physical Therapist to assist you with swallowing exercises, I did this and it made a big difference. They can also check to see if esophagus needs to be stretched out.The main problem now is the saliva issue, which will just take time. Do you still have your "port", I am 5 months post treatment and still have mine, probably will till end of this year. I understand about the long road, wish you all the best with the rest of your recovery.
Kenny

PEG out
Congrats on getting your tube out mine came out about 3 1/2 months after end of treatment. I had to pass a swallow test in order to get it removed. Like everyone said Yank, but i was not given any instructions as far as eating /drinking.
I see a lot of people with trouble swallowing. Was not anyone given swallowing exercises to do during treatment. As everyone can imagine it became progressively harder to do them as treatment went on. Best Wishes & Prayers
Dave

Landranger25

Fire34 said:

PEG out
Congrats on getting your tube out mine came out about 3 1/2 months after end of treatment. I had to pass a swallow test in order to get it removed. Like everyone said Yank, but i was not given any instructions as far as eating /drinking.
I see a lot of people with trouble swallowing. Was not anyone given swallowing exercises to do during treatment. As everyone can imagine it became progressively harder to do them as treatment went on. Best Wishes & Prayers
Dave

That's great!
I think it was about 5 weeks after my last rad when mine was removed. Stopped at surgeons office and he had me lie down on the examining table. Told me it would sting for about 10-15 seconds. Asked if I was ready, placed his hand on my abdomen and firmly pulled with the other. PEG popped right out. Did sting but not bad. Well worth getting rid of it. (Some here call this the "grit & pull" method) He said not to eat anything for 4 hours then OK but don't overdo it. Said hole in stomach would close within hours and hole on outside in 24-48 hours. Left with a pressure bandage on which I left for 2 days then just used a regular band-aid. Had no trouble. Hope everything went well for you.

Mike

Landranger25

Landranger25 said:

That's great!
I think it was about 5 weeks after my last rad when mine was removed. Stopped at surgeons office and he had me lie down on the examining table. Told me it would sting for about 10-15 seconds. Asked if I was ready, placed his hand on my abdomen and firmly pulled with the other. PEG popped right out. Did sting but not bad. Well worth getting rid of it. (Some here call this the "grit & pull" method) He said not to eat anything for 4 hours then OK but don't overdo it. Said hole in stomach would close within hours and hole on outside in 24-48 hours. Left with a pressure bandage on which I left for 2 days then just used a regular band-aid. Had no trouble. Hope everything went well for you.

Mike

Whoops!
Guess I jumped the gun an my "hope everything went well" closing comment. Hope everything goes well tomorrow!

Mike

debbiejeanne

Jo, congrats!! I had mine
Jo, congrats!! I had mine taken out last month. I can take my meds now which scared me a lot. I had troube swallowing them at first but I'm doing well now. I cut the pills (imagine a tylynol caplet) up so I only swallow 1/2 pill at a time b/c they will not go down whole, they get stuck. Food still gets stuck sometimes and can take time to finish going down the throat but I eventually get it down. The most time it has taken is about 15 minutes of coughing and sometimes putting the handle of a toothbrush down my throat.
I hope you won't have any problems but just a heads-up. I was put to sleep when they removed my tube. I did not have any stitches and it only took about a week for it to heal and close.
God Bless,
Debbie

fishingirl

debbiejeanne said:

Jo, congrats!! I had mine
Jo, congrats!! I had mine taken out last month. I can take my meds now which scared me a lot. I had troube swallowing them at first but I'm doing well now. I cut the pills (imagine a tylynol caplet) up so I only swallow 1/2 pill at a time b/c they will not go down whole, they get stuck. Food still gets stuck sometimes and can take time to finish going down the throat but I eventually get it down. The most time it has taken is about 15 minutes of coughing and sometimes putting the handle of a toothbrush down my throat.
I hope you won't have any problems but just a heads-up. I was put to sleep when they removed my tube. I did not have any stitches and it only took about a week for it to heal and close.
God Bless,
Debbie

Hi there! I don't know if
Hi there! I don't know if you have gotten your PEG out yet or not. I know with me, it didn't hurt at all. I was expecting it to, and it didn't! lol!! Good luck on your getting back to enjoying food!!

P.S. I was only left with a teeny scar about 1/4". Well worth it!

Cindy

Kent Cass

fishingirl said:

Hi there! I don't know if
Hi there! I don't know if you have gotten your PEG out yet or not. I know with me, it didn't hurt at all. I was expecting it to, and it didn't! lol!! Good luck on your getting back to enjoying food!!

P.S. I was only left with a teeny scar about 1/4". Well worth it!

Cindy

Losing PEG
There's different type of PEGs, and some come out easier than others. Only thing I really felt to the negative was during the 1-2 seconds of the actual yanking. Had mine for over 15-months, so the Dr. kinda turned it from the outside for a few seconds to make sure it was loose inside my stomach.

Yes- I went 4-hours without food or drink before, except for minor water and a couple pills; and, though the Dr. said I could, I didn't eat or drink anything afterwards for another 4-hours, and took it easy on the intake for over a day.

With me- they just slapped a 4x4 gauze on it w/paper tape, said to not change the dressing for 24-hours, and when I did- wash stomach area w/soap and water, then apply Bicatracin. Only had minor seepage a few times. Redness of your new belly button may be with you for awhile- still is with mine.

Good to hear, Jo, and best of luck.

kcass

Hondo

Hi Jo

Just another piece of the passed going by by

dogsrule

dfdb06c said:

PEG comes Out
Jo, congratulations also, this was a big step for me. I had mine removed last month (April) after not using it for 6 weeks. My Dr offered to pull it out on the spot or schedule a date to do it under anesthesia, I opted to get it out NOW. He started a conversation about my family and at an unannounced moment just pulled hard and quick and out it was. The pain is noticeable but short lived and does heal up quickly, noticeable improvement in just 1 week. I am still using nutrition drinks but just using my throat now, getting about 30-40% of my calories from food. If swallowing is an issue I would check with a Physical Therapist to assist you with swallowing exercises, I did this and it made a big difference. They can also check to see if esophagus needs to be stretched out.The main problem now is the saliva issue, which will just take time. Do you still have your "port", I am 5 months post treatment and still have mine, probably will till end of this year. I understand about the long road, wish you all the best with the rest of your recovery.
Kenny

Not to bad
Thanks everyone. It doesn't sound to bad. Just have to "grin and bear it". It's time to get it out. Kenny, I didn't have chemo, just 2 rounds of erbutix, so they didn't have to put in a port. Thanks Glenna for all of your encouragement. All of you are the best. I'll let you know tomorrow how it went. Sweet dreams. Goodnight. oxoxo

delnative

Hondo said:

Hi Jo

Just another piece of the passed going by by

Didn't hurt a bit
It gave me the creeps when the nurse just yanked out my PEG, but it really didn't hurt -- at least, not compared with the hell I'd been through in the months prior to that. It was a great relief to have it out.
No, they don't stitch the wound, and it heals quickly. And it leaves a really cool scar.

--Jim in Delaware

Glenna M

delnative said:

Didn't hurt a bit
It gave me the creeps when the nurse just yanked out my PEG, but it really didn't hurt -- at least, not compared with the hell I'd been through in the months prior to that. It was a great relief to have it out.
No, they don't stitch the wound, and it heals quickly. And it leaves a really cool scar.

--Jim in Delaware

Cool scar -lol
Hi Jim, I just tell everyone that I now have 2 belly buttons - both innies - lol. I consider it a minor scar considering the battle I fought ;-) Just another little reminder that I am still the winner - not the cancers.

My best to everyone - Glenna

dogsrule

Glenna M said:

Cool scar -lol
Hi Jim, I just tell everyone that I now have 2 belly buttons - both innies - lol. I consider it a minor scar considering the battle I fought ;-) Just another little reminder that I am still the winner - not the cancers.

My best to everyone - Glenna

PEGS out
The doctor pulled it out this morning. It really didn't hurt to bad. Felt like stinging for about 10 seconds. No biggie. He said no problem eating or drinking. He said it should be healed up in about 48 hrs. Asked if I could go in the hot tub or a bath. He said to wait 48 hours. I don't think I am going to take any chances with the hot tub this weekend. I'll wait. My husband came with me. Bought me coffee and then to lunch. Went to onco after lunch and everything looks real good. He told me no restrictions, get back to the way I used to be. Thanks everyone for all the information and support. Stay strong, it does get better.
Jo

wifeforlife

dogsrule said:

PEGS out
The doctor pulled it out this morning. It really didn't hurt to bad. Felt like stinging for about 10 seconds. No biggie. He said no problem eating or drinking. He said it should be healed up in about 48 hrs. Asked if I could go in the hot tub or a bath. He said to wait 48 hours. I don't think I am going to take any chances with the hot tub this weekend. I'll wait. My husband came with me. Bought me coffee and then to lunch. Went to onco after lunch and everything looks real good. He told me no restrictions, get back to the way I used to be. Thanks everyone for all the information and support. Stay strong, it does get better.
Jo

happy for you
so happy for you. Step by step!...

debbiejeanne

dogsrule said:

PEGS out
The doctor pulled it out this morning. It really didn't hurt to bad. Felt like stinging for about 10 seconds. No biggie. He said no problem eating or drinking. He said it should be healed up in about 48 hrs. Asked if I could go in the hot tub or a bath. He said to wait 48 hours. I don't think I am going to take any chances with the hot tub this weekend. I'll wait. My husband came with me. Bought me coffee and then to lunch. Went to onco after lunch and everything looks real good. He told me no restrictions, get back to the way I used to be. Thanks everyone for all the information and support. Stay strong, it does get better.
Jo

Dogsrule and now, so do
Dogsrule and now, so do YOU!! Way to go. I have to give all credit who just let them pull their pegs out, noway could I do that b/c I'm just too dang chicken!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You all rule!!!
God Bless,
Debbie

sweetblood22

debbiejeanne said:

Dogsrule and now, so do
Dogsrule and now, so do YOU!! Way to go. I have to give all credit who just let them pull their pegs out, noway could I do that b/c I'm just too dang chicken!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You all rule!!!
God Bless,
Debbie

Dogsrule that is awesome!
That is great. I am hoping to get mine out someday, but with my stricture in my esophogus I am not sure if that will ever happen. I have already had two dialations. I would need to gain more weight back too. I have had mine for 15 months now. I am begining to forget what it was like not to have it. I think it hurts when they yank it out. This mickey button I have now is not too bad. they do change it every three months.

rbw60

PEG Removal
Wish I could have been so lucky! They tried 3 times to yank mine out, it hurt like a SOB! My PEG was in so long that it healed over and they had to remove it the same way it was put in, They put me to sleep and when I woke up, it was all over, no more pain, thank God.

Robert

debbiejeanne

rbw60 said:

PEG Removal
Wish I could have been so lucky! They tried 3 times to yank mine out, it hurt like a SOB! My PEG was in so long that it healed over and they had to remove it the same way it was put in, They put me to sleep and when I woke up, it was all over, no more pain, thank God.

Robert

Robert, mine was removed the
Robert, mine was removed the same way! I would not have even considered doing it any other way, I'm tooooooooooooooooooooo chicken...lol
God Bles all,
debbie

hawk711

dogsrule said:

Not to bad
Thanks everyone. It doesn't sound to bad. Just have to "grin and bear it". It's time to get it out. Kenny, I didn't have chemo, just 2 rounds of erbutix, so they didn't have to put in a port. Thanks Glenna for all of your encouragement. All of you are the best. I'll let you know tomorrow how it went. Sweet dreams. Goodnight. oxoxo

Peg out
Hi
I have had my Peg in for 4 months and I am 3 months post treatment, rad/chemo. How long after treatment was your peg removed, if you don't mind my asking? I am trying to figure out the whole timing thing with eating foods on my own and getting the peg out. I read that one reply said 5 months, another said 31/2 months, so I'm just trying to get an average so I have "a light at the end of the tunnel"...
Thanks for your reply.
Steve