How Long have you had your feeding tube for?

godisgreat
godisgreat Member Posts: 20
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
My father is going through surgery in a couple of weeks. His lips are going to be partially sealed on one side. As it is he cant open the mouth much, and after the surgery he will not be able to open much either. Also his left upper and lower gums will be removed with the jaw.

I know he is worried about his appearance post surgery and will no be able to eat much also.

I am curious as to if there is anyone out there with "long term" PEG tube use. And if they know anyone with similar experience

Comments

  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    #2
    Long Term Peg
    I was a short time PEG user, but I have met a couple of long term PEG users. I met one back in 2002 or 2003 and at that time he had already had it for 7 years. Another I met later on, but again he had it for something like 6 years.

    In either case, they were both limited on what they were capable of swallowing via mouth so they used their peg. The peg hides nicely under a clothing and only needs to be exposed when it is time to take in nutrition.
  • godisgreat
    godisgreat Member Posts: 20
    #3
    SASH said:

    Long Term Peg
    I was a short time PEG user, but I have met a couple of long term PEG users. I met one back in 2002 or 2003 and at that time he had already had it for 7 years. Another I met later on, but again he had it for something like 6 years.

    In either case, they were both limited on what they were capable of swallowing via mouth so they used their peg. The peg hides nicely under a clothing and only needs to be exposed when it is time to take in nutrition.

    thanks

    thanks
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #4
    Feeding Tube
    I never used the feeding tube but heard of some people who are using them and getting them replaced every two years. I guess it is a matter of how long they are needed

    Keeping your Dad in prayer
    Hondo
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #5
    Hondo said:

    Feeding Tube
    I never used the feeding tube but heard of some people who are using them and getting them replaced every two years. I guess it is a matter of how long they are needed

    Keeping your Dad in prayer
    Hondo

    I had mine for 18 months,
    I had mine for 18 months, but I was longer than most people here. I think the average amount of time would be 6 months to 8 months. I would have died without mine, so I am glad it was there. I was also thrilled when I finally got it removed.

    You cannot really see it under clothes. Especially when I had the mic-key button. You could not see it at all.
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #6
    sweetblood22 said:

    I had mine for 18 months,
    I had mine for 18 months, but I was longer than most people here. I think the average amount of time would be 6 months to 8 months. I would have died without mine, so I am glad it was there. I was also thrilled when I finally got it removed.

    You cannot really see it under clothes. Especially when I had the mic-key button. You could not see it at all.

    15+ months
    And that was long enough. Like Sweet- never woulda made it without it, as I used it exclusively for my Nutrition intake for a good 8 weeks. Kept it for as long as I did in case things went south, and I didn't want them putting another hole in my tummy. Thankful I had it.

    kcass
  • CajunEagle
    CajunEagle Member Posts: 408
    #7
    sweetblood22 said:

    I had mine for 18 months,
    I had mine for 18 months, but I was longer than most people here. I think the average amount of time would be 6 months to 8 months. I would have died without mine, so I am glad it was there. I was also thrilled when I finally got it removed.

    You cannot really see it under clothes. Especially when I had the mic-key button. You could not see it at all.

    Had mine for 13 months.......
    Twas a life saver. Used it from Feb.2009 thru March 2010. Glad to have gotten it out due to the maintanance of it and the moldy look towards the end. Good grief.......seems like eons ago.

    Larry
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #8
    CajunEagle said:

    Had mine for 13 months.......
    Twas a life saver. Used it from Feb.2009 thru March 2010. Glad to have gotten it out due to the maintanance of it and the moldy look towards the end. Good grief.......seems like eons ago.

    Larry

    6 months
    and counting, planning to get it removed in a few weeks. Keep him eating and at least drinking fluids daily and start with soft foods as soon as he can tolerate it. That will keep the muscles in good shape with a quicker recovery from the tube I am told. That is how we have handled it. Everyone is different though, but that is my best advice for you and him. Good luck and prayers are with your father and family.
    Terry
  • Dale_G
    Dale_G Member Posts: 18 Member
    #9
    Short-Timer
    I've had mine since the Tuesday before Thanksgiving 2010, so 4.5 months now. No real problems so far.

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