Gastrostomy in Wiesbaden

Gastrostomy can be performed under general or local anesthetic, ensure to discuss with your surgeon the best option for your case. There are three different methods for carrying out this procedure: laparoscopic, open surgery, and percutaneous (through the skin) endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). The most common one is the PEG procedure, in which your surgeon inserts an endoscope through the mouth and into the stomach to help them position the G-tube.

You will have to stay in the hospital for one to two days, but you may want to stay in Wiesbaden for 7 days. During your stay, your G-tube will be monitored and the nurses may teach you how to use and care for the tube.

Most people can recover quickly after a gastrostomy. However, the exact recovery period can be different from one person to another. Make sure you ask your doctor how long it will take to recover. The tube will not keep you from work and most activities.

It is very important to understand how to insert food through the tube, how to prevent infection, how to handle a blockage in the tube, and what you should do if the tube pulls out. You will be given a feeding plan from a dietitian and your surgeon will tell you what activities or exercises you need to avoid. You may need to schedule follow-up appointments with your local doctor.

The alternatives to gastrostomy are nasogastric (NG) feeding tubes and a jejunal tube. Nasogastric feeding tubes are usually short-term; it involves passing a tube through your nose into the stomach. A jejunal tube is placed in the small bowel.