Feeding tube patients: What's your experience?

Yes, when mine came out I looked up info online and did it myself. Found duct tape beats medical tape and can't beat the staying power, firmness and cost, napkins beat gauze too for cushioning and cost. I've removed, or my tube has come out dozens of times since January and I prefer being able to take care of issues myself. I clogged it with loose tea leaves, seeds,thick liquids and self removal and cleaning is the way. I notice though that the more weight on me the faster the hole heals. I went from an easy 2 hour plus window for reinsertion to less than an hour, or I have to put a sterile file in to repunture and widen. It is cool that it doesn't hurt even if I draw blood at times even inches deep.

There are a number of helpful videos on G-tube placement and maintenance available on YouTube and other internet sites. They have a provide a lot of very helpful information that will help you learn how to properly maintain your G-tube and deal with most issues that may arise.

Oh, are you on a specific diet for life

Thank you for your response. I used ISO source (rehab), Vital (hospital)and now Jevity 1.5 at home. My tube is permanent since surgery isn't possible (too stressful on my good side). Won't do radiation, won't do higher levels of chemo because of possible serious common side effects. My feeding tube first popped out mid January after 3 months, I reinserted it myself (caught it before the hole closed and healed. The bladder eventually disintergrated and now duct tape keeps it tight, but I take it out or it still comes out frequently. I'm holding off on surgery replacement due to 3 previous issues from doctors , nurses, surgeons. Will do that when there is no other choice.

I had a g-tube which I used 6 times a day to input ISOSOURCE packets while I could not swallow due to tumor in lower esophagus. I had 28 daily radiation and chemo treatments which eliminated the tumor and I could resume eating normally. One problem I had with g-tube was one day it poped out, and I had to immediately go to doctor to reinsert it. They put me under to do it. No other problems and eventually I had it removed which was easy after no using it for over a month. I did rense it out everyday while I had it. Do you expect to resume eating normally eventually?