How will the doctor insert my feeding tube?

You’ll need to have surgery to get a feeding tube. The doctor will make a few small cuts to place the feeding tube inside your stomach.

There are 2 different types of feeding tube surgery.

Percutaneous radiological insertion of gastrostomy (RIG)

Most doctors recommend RIG surgery. Here’s how it works.

On the day before surgery, a doctor may insert a special temporary feeding tube called a nasogastric tube (NG tube). An NG tube is a tube made out of rubber or plastic that goes through your nose, down your esophagus, and into your stomach. The NG tube helps doctors make sure they are placing your feeding tube in exactly the right spot.

On the day of surgery, a special doctor called a radiologist will take an X-ray of your stomach. Then, a doctor will make a few tiny cuts in your skin. They will guide very small medical tools through the cuts to place the feeding tube inside your stomach.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)

Depending on your medical needs, your care team may recommend PEG surgery.

A gastroenterologist, or a doctor who specializes in the digestive tract, will use a camera called an endoscope to take pictures of your stomach. The doctor will place the endoscope down your throat so they can see inside your stomach. Then, the doctor will make slightly larger cuts in your skin and place the feeding tube inside your stomach.

Talk with your ALS care team about which type of surgery is best for you.