Re:Tom and 's debate, my 2 cents

[Guest guest]

Tube #2 is on the left side of the belly, also about 3 inches off center. This one sticks into the side of the bilio tract, and extends down it about a foot or less. While you are in the hospital, this tube collects bile into a plastic bag-like thing. I'm not sure why this is done, it's just another of those "extra precautions" that Dr. Rabkin refers to.

Tube #1 is taken out a few days after surgery. Tube #2 stays in, and becomes the feeding tube. As I pointed out, the feeding tube is quite useful for those who have problems drinking enough liquid, which can be a real problem.

"Tube #2" is a J tube-- J stands for jejunum, which is where the tube goes -- actually it may be in the last segment of Duodenum in the case of the USC DS patients. Many paralyzed and disabled folks who can't swallow are fed thru a J tube -- keeps the food from getting back up the esophagus-- ain't it wonderful what a working pyloric valve can do? Anyway, the J tube goes into the "blind" stump of the bile limb and Dr A likes flushing this tract out, I suppose as a precaution against that old problem with the old bypass surgeries where there was an over growth of bacteria. He has us hooked up to a can of Coca-Cola, non diet, to flush the intestine of all extraneous material. Anyone remember the old science fair experiment of hanging a piece of beef in a glass of Coke and seeing how long it takes to dissolve? Well, the stuff is probably the best nonpoisonous toilet bowl cleaner, too. So that is what we are doing with the J tube-- is a nice side benefit that we can "drink" and "eat" thru the thing, too-- giving our battered stomach's some much needed R & R.

I, for one, am grateful I will get one, because making sure you get the best nutrition possible in the new post op phase is the best guarantee that your body will have what it needs to build new tissues and heal wounds. CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM AND ZINC, HOORAY! Besides, I think Ensure is pretty nasty. Plus, anything that goes down the J tube is not malabsorbed-- there is lovely bile and pancreatic juices to make full use of the stuff.

Notice I do not quote any authorities -- I'm hanged if I know where I learn this stuff, except thru reading anything I can get my hands on, plus my Goddaughter is handicapped in a big way and has both a J tube for food and a G (g for gastric as in stomach) tube for meeds.

Nan E.