Tyler had his g-tube placed on May 25th, we have had our follow up appt with the surgeon and he didn't say to bring him back. He also said that when Tyler was ready they'd pull the g tube out. My understanding is Tyler would need the tube for at least 1yr if not longer (could be shorter too but it is not looking that way at this point). So he has the brown tube (I have to tape 2xs a day). It didn't sound like they were going to change it to a mic key (Was my understanding that they would 6wks out). So when did you all have the tube changed and should I be asking for them to change it??? I am worried that once he gets a bit stronger and they really get into therapy he'll start walking and the tube is long enough with the extenction that he could pull it out from steping on it.

Thanks for any input!
Hugs~
Amy mom to Tyler 33wks 5lbs now 1yr 4wks and almost 16lbs and GROWING!!!

Daniel doesn't have a Mic key; his button is a Genie, and it was put in around 4 or 5 weeks after his G tube. I think the Mic key is generally put in a little later. But I would definitely check with the surgeon or GI about the button, because that long tube is a real pain!

We've tried both the mic-key and the regular g-tube. For our specific issues, the regular g-tube works best (it's a PEG and not the original brown tube that they put in after surgery). Long story short, our surgeon was going to change to a mic-key 6 wks post-surgery, but since the regular catheter fell out 2x prior to that time and his site was sore, we kept a PEG tube in until about 5 mos post surgery.

Since Tucker is on continuous feeds, I simply tuck the tube into his shorts, and kind of wrap it around his waist so that it sticks out from behind him--that way he doesn't catch it when he crawls. A lot of people tape them, but Tucker has such sensitive skin, I can't do that w/o causing more problems--even with paper tape.

Good luck!!!

Kara's GI told us that they can replace the tube with a mic-key button 4-6 weeks after the G-tube is placed if it's placed surgically or 3 months after the G-tube if it's placed by an endoscope. All doctors and hospitals seem to have very different ways of doing things, though . . .