@nbkod7b I am impressed with the nutrition you are getting through the G tube using a blender. My dad had a G tube, and used the commercial preparations. My first thought for extra calories was ice cream, but you are already doing that. In trying to gain weight, fats have so much more calories per gram of weight than other foods and would help you gain weight. As for not clogging the G tube and lines, have you tried olive oil to add calories?

This link gives some health benefits of olive oil. It can easily be mixed into the other foods you are putting through the blender.
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2022-01-11/more-olive-oil-may-bring-longer-life-study
Have you discussed with your doctor what is right for you? I am sure not clogging the G tube or any lines is important. One of the issues that comes up with liquid feeding is that you don't have bulk to keep the stomach expanded and when it shrinks, it's hard to get enough nutrition because it has to go in so much slower. My dad had a bag like an IV bag up on a pole and it dripped in slowly toward the end of his life. Also make sure you stay upright, so stomach contents are not coughed up or aspirated. Your doctor or nurse probably reviewed that with you I would expect.

Have you tried applesauce, or does that have too much pectin in it for a g tube? Baby food may offer a suitable consistency of it. Applesauce might slow transit time, allowing more time for absorption of your other foods. Yogurt (lactose free) helped me to maintain my weight, but kefir seems a better bet for g tubes.

You absolutely need to get a registered dietitian to help you access the resources to keep you healthy. I know insurance will cover the cost of tube feedings if it's permanent. It's difficult to get the nutrition you need just blending food. Volume is an issue, so there are formulas that are concentrated to provide 2 calories per ml so they provide the nutrition you need in a small volume.

I have terrible IBS. I’ve lost 30 pounds and now weigh only 100 pounds. The doctor is talking about putting in a feeding tube. I can steal two and swallow but can’t seem to gain weight. I’m just so weak and feeble.Has anyone here had a feeding tube and was it a good experience or a bad experience?ALSO, IF YOU HAVE IDEAS OF THINGS THAT ARE EASY TO DIGEST, BUT HELP YOU GAIN WEIGHT?I would be much grateful

@lauraherbert - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Really sorry to hear you're feeling weak and feeble and have unintentionally lost weight.

I moved your post here so you could meet members like @jenniferhunter @nbkod7b @linh and others. They can speak to whether they've had a feeding tube, and if so, the pros and cons for them. They also may be able to make suggestions about easy to digest food that would help gain weight.

Have you found any foods that work for you so far?

Thankyou for your help. I truly don’t want a feeding tube. I had this extreme problem in 2021. Loss of weight, pain and fatigue. I had lost thirty pounds.
It took 9 months to get better.
They never did say what brought it on. But they found a stone and took my gallbladder.
So now here I am again only without a gall bladder. I do have diverticulosis but they said that isn’t what wrong now.
Although I was on antibiotics for diverticulitis 3 times in the last year. I beleive it left my intestines vulnerable to possibly anything. They did a colonoscopy but said nothing.
I studied about women like me. Losing 30 lbs with IBS. Found that it might me bile acid malabsorption . I’m trying the medicine for that now. Cholistyrime. Slept last notch for the first time without terrifying pain.so far all the help I have got was from studying and telling my doctor. The doctors are not help at all. 10 minute visits with them are worthless. I believe out medical system here is horrible.
So I-will wait on the feeding tube. Oh and get this they said Icould see a nutritionist in two months! Oh my gosh
If I’m alive then
Thankyou for your help
That feeding tube sounds really bad.
I hope sincerely you get the help and healing you need.
Sending hugs

Hi, I haven't seen any suggestions for dry milk. Dry milk can be mixed with a lot different food/liquid items. It may have more calories and protein than the protein powder you are using. It can be added to your oatmeal/cereal, broth, yogurt, milk, eggs, veggies, and Ensure Plus. It has like 30-40 calories in a Tbsp. I can't recall the protein amount. Take care

I have an appointment this week to discuss a possible feeding tube. I have been having terrible abdominal pain and nausea and losing weight, down 30+ lbs. Pain and nausea prevent me from being able to get enough nutrition in. I have had numerous tests and I had a partial gastrectomy 13+ years ago due to severe gastroparesis and they left an appendage with a blind loop. So one possibility is blind loop syndrome. I have been on pancreatic enzymes because stool tests show exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. I am very hesitant to get feeding tube but they asl want to use as a diagnostic tool to see if bypassing the remaining stomach and appendage stops the pain. I have just been doing my own research and am very worried about how this will change my life and manage day to day. Any tips and suggestions from those who have one?

My aunt has a feeding tube because her chin literally rest almost on her chest. She had cancer surgery on her neck and radiation caused a lot of scar tissue in her throat. She also has severe osteoporosis. She’s feeling weak with little energy. She has special liquid food but I really want to increase her caloric intake. She’s getting depressed. Please help.