What to expect when your Gastrostomy/
Jejunostomy (G/J) tube is removed
UHN
Information for patients and families
Read this pamphlet to learn more about:
• what to expect
• what to do after the G/J tube is removed
• how to care for the site
• problems to watch for
Please visit the UHN Patient Education website for more health information: www.uhnpatienteducation.ca
© 2016 University Health Network. All rights reserved.
This information is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional
medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific
medical condition. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for non-commercial personal use only.
Authors: Dr KT Tan, Terry Davidson MRT, and Karen MacDonald RN
Created: 01/2016
Form: D-8586
Your doctor has sent you to the Medical Imaging Interventional Radiology
Department to have your gastrostomy-jejunostomy feeding tube removed.
The more common term is G/J tube.
How do I prepare?
;; Don’t eat or drink anything for 6 hours before your procedure.
;; Arrive at the Medical Imaging Reception desk 30 minutes before
your appointment.
;; Bring your Ontario health card (OHIP) and blue University Health
Network hospital card.
What can I expect?
1. You are asked to change into a hospital gown and then brought into
the procedure room.
2. The doctor explains the procedure to you and answers any questions
you have.
3. The dressing is removed.
4. The doctor pulls the tube out through the skin. You may feel pulling in
the exit site area.
5. The doctor holds gentle pressure over the site for a few moments and
then places a dressing over the skin.
What important instructions should I follow after the
tube is removed?
When the tube is removed there will be a hole in your skin and in your
stomach that will need time to heal. Follow these instructions to lower the
chances of having any problems.
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Do not eat anything for 4 hours after the tube is removed.
This allows the hole in your stomach to close. If you eat,
the wall of your stomach may stretch and keep the hole
open. After 4 hours you can eat again.
Take sips of water for the first 4 hours after the tube is
removed if you feel thirsty and to keep your mouth moist.
After 4 hours you can drink regular amounts of fluids.
Don't drink carbonated beverages (like soda or beer) for
24 hours. The gas will cause your stomach to expand and
could re-open the hole in your stomach.
Keep the dressing on for 3 days. It is waterproof and you
can shower with it. Do not take a bath or swim for 3 days.
If the dressing falls off before 3 days, you can use regular
gauze and tape to cover the hole. But you will need to
cover it with plastic if you take a shower. After 3 days,
your dressing can come off.
What problems do I watch for?
If you feel sharp pain in your belly within 24 hours of the tube
coming out, go to the nearest Emergency Department or dial 911.
Tell the nurses and doctors that you had your G/J tube removed and
now you are having pain.
After the 3 days, look at the site where the tube was removed and check for:
• redness • leaking fluid or pus


swelling
tenderness
If you have any of these symptoms, call your family doctor.
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