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balloon vs. non-balloon

jackrabbit
1 Recommendation

I'm sure there's been discussions about this before...

I'll be getting my PEG replaced with a button in a couple weeks and want to know which kind to get the doctor to request.

I'm not real keen on having a balloon in my stomach, it just sounds weird and uncomfortable. Plus I've heard a lot of people have issues with their buttons getting 'sucked in' with the balloon type.

I'm leaning towards getting one with just a rubber bumper, but I want to know the pros and cons of both.

I want to be able to get back (slowly) to my hardcore workouts again, and so I'd also like whatever button most easily facilitates a lot of exercise/activity.

Please weigh in and let me know your thoughts/experiences!

Explore topics in this discussion:

Surgery Pain

9 replies

Juhint

Hi Jackrabbit!

I was one of the people that started the balloon vs. non-balloon button discussion a couple months ago.
Even though I had problems in the beginning, I would not want to have it any other way now. I have thought about the non-balloon options as well, but am glad that I stuck with the non-balloon type. It is comforting to know that I can change it out myself whenever need be, something you can't do with a non-balloon button. My gi doc also was very hesitant to place a non-balloon button on such a "young stoma site", because the internal bolster is very small and if I accidently did pull on the button too hard, then I might hurt my stoma tract on the inside, something he did not want to happen.
As for exercising: I felt the internal bumper of my peg-tube lots during exercising, but I can't feel the balloon during exercising at all.
Besides the occasional pulling when I do get hungry, I can't feel the balloon inside my stomach at all. I guess I would be afraid to feel the internal bumper of a non-balloon button like I used to be able to feel my peg-tube.
I guess my suggestion would be to go with a balloon-type first and try it out, you can always switch to a non-balloon button if it doesn't work out for you. If you start with a non-balloon button and you don't like it you have to put quite a bit of trauma on your stoma to get it removed.
I have talked extensively with an engineer from AMT (they manufacture the Mini One button types) and he told me that he could not guarantee me that I would not have the same pulling problems with a non-balloon type as well.

There is another thing I want to add: I have a very low stoma site (my stoma is an inch above my belly button ( a bit to the left of it), meaning that my stoma is really close to my pylorus (opening of stomach to the intestines) and that is what creates the pulling sensation, my balloon button being drawn towards my pylorus.
You wrote that you have lots of rib pain with your peg tube, therefore I presume your stoma is a lot higher than mine, you most likely want have the same button pulling problems like me then. Please don't let my story discourage you from getting a balloon-button.

Take care,
Julia

MarieTwinTubes

Hi, Jackrabbit. I have a balloon type and have no pulling or discomfort. Just be sure they don't inflate it more than the manufacturer recolmmends. Good luck. Marie

karenlas

Trevor has the balloon mickey g/j. You'd never know he has it. Active is an understatement. He plays flag football and soccer, swims like a fish and is 110% boys. He complains of "popping" when his belly is empty.

Karen
www.caringbridge.org/visit/trevorlasure

bbidals

If rubber bumper, you mean the mushrom (sp). The later is painful when removed, I just got the balloon and love it. Next time I am going for the mini-button. Just my thoughts.

Good luck, Paul

Arthur49

Dear Jackrabbit; Sorrry, I can't answer your question, I'm about to have a feeding tube put in. I also workout 3 times per week, what problems have you found concerning working out and the feeding tube. Also, if you have any suggestion as to the type I should ask for or any thing you may think of please let me know. Thank you. Arthur

Hollywho

Hi Jackrabbit:
When I had my PEG it was in for a few months and it developed some type of gross growth inside the tube. Atleast with a ballon button (I have the MIckey) you can change is more often and avoid any of that growth.
I am very active and have never had an issue with my button. The PEG was a nuisance and sometimes it was difficult to hide under a tight shirt.
What area of Canada are you in? I am about 1 hour west of Toronto, Ontario.
Holly

peg07

Hi Jackrabbit,
I would try the ballon button. I had one and it was wonderful, very comfortable, didn't even know I had it in. Problem was the second time I got one, it kept falling out. Maybe I got a bad batch. I am going to try again when my current GI tube wears out.

This is for Arthur I think if you are going to get a tube for the first time, you automatically get a PEG tube and then after that you can get what you want.
Be prepared for pain after surgery. It will hurt for awhile and emotionally and physically it is a tough adjustment. But think of the benefits I don't know your case but I have problems swallowing. and was losing weight . Now I am gaining weight and plus have better nutrition. And there are people who have been through this and we will be pulling for you.

Jackrabbit, you have been through a lot too. Thanks for all the sharing you do.

Peg

Woeful

I'd recommend the balloon over the mushroom. The mushroom gets easily clogged with undissolved pills/food so your tube can clog up easily. I came home from the hospital with the mushroom kind and was back in the E.R. three different times over 1 month for blockages. Then I woke up one night and the whole thing had come out--the mushroom was lying on my stomach. So I'll stick with the balloon. It feels more secure and it doesn't dislocate as easily as the mushroom did.

Novagrad

I just responded to Arthur's post that was similar. I had major problems with the balloon. I cannot speak for a balloon in the stomach, but only for a balloon in the jejunum. For me, I got tons of infections. The balloon wore away the mucosa of the jejunum and the bacteria leaked through and I have had countless numbers of blood infections as a result. This is very unusual, according to my doctors, but they won't put anymore balloon-type tubes in me. I'm on tube #6 now (though I'm starting to lose count) and it's a g/j-tube and it does not have a balloon. So far so good with that. I did love the discreetness of my balloon tubes (Mic-Key buttons) but not the medical problems!

Mimi

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