Would you do this...? Thoughts....

[amoLucia]

Costing $1600, an NG tube is electively inserted into a pt for the sole purpose of a weight loss management program. The NGT with tubing is carried in a backpack and is connected to a formula bag that delivers 800 calories and runs 24/7. A "cycle" of feeding lasts 10 days and can be repeated for 10 "cycles'. The cycles are medically supervised with freq bloodwork and attendance at group meetings 3 times /wk is also required,

Saw this program discussed on a morning talk show that I had never watched before. I thought The Doctors was a soap opera. The show's panel of 3 doctors were interviewing a guest MD with a client pt (I think that she was also now a spokesperson /tech for the program?). The host panel doctors were aghast with the procedure citing cost, patient safety issues, long-term efficacy and other concerns that would be expected with such a program. For all their protests, I again got the impression that they were deep-down envious that they hadn't thought of the procedure to make money themselves. JMHO.

I liked the guest MD. He was well composed and informative, citing studies that sounded reputable. He kept emphasizing the "cycle" was ONLY a "jump start" to other weight management approaches for which the pts were educated/counseled and monitored . Guest MD and pt explained there was good weight loss (average 26 pounds) and no negative outcomes to the program. The MD is the only one performing the program in the US, although it is done in Europe.

I liked that MD. I would have had a gazillion other questions - I was that fascinated, but it was a TV show. MD explained that years ago (1960's or so) today's bariatric surgeries and other procedures were considered extreme. This was just a quick "jump start" other approach to weight loss and NOT a diet itself and that other dieting would be nec.

So what do you think --- would you have an NG inserted to "jump start" a diet for $1600???

[duskyjewel]

For zero dollars outside of the cost of the supplement, I can drink the Boost or whatever, myself, and achieve desirable results. I've got better things to do with $1600.

The $1600 is what they are willing to pay for the privilege of not having to take responsibility for doing that.

Wish I had money to waste like that.

[amoLucia]

As they say - "desperate times make for desperate measures". For those of you who have never had the morbidly obese amounts of weight to lose, this desperate measure makes sense. People are desperate and since I wonder if this procedure would be covered by health insurance, I believe they would try to be compliant because of the cost.

I would question if the controlled 800 cals causes ketosis which causes lack of appetite. Assuming 1 cc of formula equals 1 cal, for 24 hours the pt would be receiving about 33 - 34 cc/hr (33 - 34 cals/hr) over 24 hours. Not a whole lot of liquid to go thru the tube to keep it patent for a 10 day cycle, so I wonder how the pt is getting enough water? Can pt orally drink water? What's the breakdown of protein/carbs/lipids in the formula?

I'm guessing that the CONTINOUS feeding with ketosis provides a stop to hunger.

As a nurse/pt, I would be needing a whole lot more info for 'informed consent'. As extreme as this procedure is, it is something for a desperate pt to pursue when they've pretty much tried everything else. Bariatric surgery is so common today, and I know several nurses who've gone that route. Bariatric surgery is a last-stop measure prelude to a lifelong controlled diet. Is that much different from an NG WITH the understanding that the pt will also continue a real diet-diet after its removal?

I'm curious what the $1600 covers - 1 cycle? 3 cycles? the program until the ng is removed? And what is the average # of cycles?

As I said, I don't think I would do it, but a little, itty-bitty part of me can understand it.

[Elle23]

On an episode of Supersize vs. Superskinny, there was a man who had some sort of gastric tube that he used for weight loss. After eating a normal meal, he would go to the bathroom and drain a certain amount of stomach contents into the toilet via the tube. He lost tons of weight.

I am amazed those aren't more prevalent in our weight obsessed culture. I still can't figure out how he got it done. It's the only one I have ever seen or heard of.

[duskyjewel]

On an episode of Supersize vs. Superskinny, there was a man who had some sort of gastric tube that he used for weight loss. After eating a normal meal, he would go to the bathroom and drain a certain amount of stomach contents into the toilet via the tube. He lost tons of weight.

I am amazed those aren't more prevalent in our weight obsessed culture. I still can't figure out how he got it done. It's the only one I have ever seen or heard of.

Wow, medically-assisted bulimia. SMH.

It is absolutely unbelievable the lengths some people will go to in order to avoid having to learn some self-control.

And before anyone jumps down my throat, I lost 50 pounds a little more than a year ago, which represented about 25% of my starting body weight. I know it's hard. I also know it can be done.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

"Tube feed diets" were popular many years ago, before we had surgery for weight loss, such as gastric-bypass, etc. The patients were hospitalized, however, usually for a month. I can see why it lost favor; cost-prohibitive, unhealthy, etc. I just read several articles about the K-E diet, and apparently it is just another "fad." The doctors claim you won't go into ketosis in a 10 day treatment. Of course, I am munching on Halloween candy while I read this! Miniature pay-days!