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???
Thanks to all you who've responded. Not interested in an NG myself, but I was intrigued. I pretty much have all the same questions that you did, but just to clear one thing - this tube was for the instillation of formula, not to suction anything out.
There was video of a tube actually being passed on a pt with the chin tuck, "swallow, swallow, swallow" as she drank through a straw for the insertion. And there was video of a pt with the tube in place taped across her check (like all those pedi babies with a tube). Her haircut fell forward across her chin-line/cheek, so the tube wasn't really too obvious.
I'm guessing that pts did a couple of cycles to achieve the 26 lbs average. But like I said, I'd like to have known more than just the segment on the TV.
The MD has 10 'clinics' across the country. So I'm guessing it is becoming popular for some section of the population. As bizarre as this program seems, I do understand his rationale behind the 'jump start'. Some people are desperate for weight loss.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
When I did a clinical rotation at an inpatient eating disorder clinic, I saw quite a few women who were being fed through NG tubes with a backpack pump.
Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.
We use an NG tube to decompress the stomach in the event of a blockage. As a student got to observe, the patients stomach was under so much pressure the contents shot out and hit the curtain on the other side of the room.
Is there any proven benefits that would require this to be put down an NG tube as opposed to drinking it. Most of the liquid meal replacements that may be given by an NG tube or PEG/PEJ can also be taken orally if needed.
There is no way in Hades someone is going to put another NG tube in me. I would have to sedated.
It is excruciating.
What is in this magic formula that the person cannot just DRINK the stuff ?
As already mentioned, after the jump start is over and the tube is out, what is stopping the person from going back to old eating habits (or making up for lost time)? Also, what is preventing a person from eating when the tube is in place? My guess many of the individuals desperate enough to go with this method of weight loss also have some issues with diet/impulse control to begin with.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Is there any proven benefits that would require this to be put down an NG tube as opposed to drinking it. Most of the liquid meal replacements that may be given by an NG tube or PEG/PEJ can also be taken orally if needed.
I'm guessing the benefits are psychological. You basically make all food forbidden, so then the burden of trying to regulate/moderate your eating and make good food choices are eliminated.
Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.
This has to have been concocted by someone who has never ever been through an insertion of a NG tube....... its bad enough having to have one inserted for a genuine therapeutic reason
So then when a normal diet is resumed, your body will continue (at least for a time) to be in starvation mode, storing more fat, slower metabolism, & quickly regaining the weight that was lost & probably a little more.
Yes. This is what I would worry about. You could just do a TID Ensure can diet I guess without the tube... To test it out.
amoLucia
7,736 Posts
Thanks to all you who've responded. Not interested in an NG myself, but I was intrigued. I pretty much have all the same questions that you did, but just to clear one thing - this tube was for the instillation of formula, not to suction anything out.
There was video of a tube actually being passed on a pt with the chin tuck, "swallow, swallow, swallow" as she drank through a straw for the insertion. And there was video of a pt with the tube in place taped across her check (like all those pedi babies with a tube). Her haircut fell forward across her chin-line/cheek, so the tube wasn't really too obvious.
I'm guessing that pts did a couple of cycles to achieve the 26 lbs average. But like I said, I'd like to have known more than just the segment on the TV.
The MD has 10 'clinics' across the country. So I'm guessing it is becoming popular for some section of the population. As bizarre as this program seems, I do understand his rationale behind the 'jump start'. Some people are desperate for weight loss.