After many months of waiting and some surgical complications, I was fitted with my Mic-key balloon button on the 27th of July. I could not be happier with it. Since my surgical tube was placed so far down my intestine, it was no longer accessible via endoscopy, and had to be changed, placed and measured through Interventional Radiology. I found out a gastrostomy button cannot be used in place of a jejunostomy. Because the intestines lack holding chambers for food, a long tube with ports or holes must still be used to deliver nutrition via pump. A gastrostomy button has no such tube, so formula fed through it would simply build up beneath the tube site.
So the process of getting a jejunostomy button involves 2 parts. First, you must be measured for your button. Depth and width of your stoma is measured to make sure you receive a properly fitting button. To measure, your old tube is taken out. This part excited me because a new shiny tube was put in its place.
This is the first time I had an internal bolster that was a balloon. The other two tubes were either held in place with stitches (sucky) or by a piece of plastic. I prefer the non-balloon tubes because there is less movement and I feel they are slightly more secure when you have a 45 pound puppy pulling at it. But after my last attempt at a button, they would not allow anything but a balloon tube/button to be used.
After I was measured for my button and the new tube placed (I was heavily sedated for both of these processes), an order was placed for a new button that would fit. A week later I was back in Interventional Radiology getting fitted by Dr. Justin Siegal for my long-awaited button (heavily sedated again). The end part is the only section that is outside the body with the rest inside.
Totally still drugged up but, I love this guy!
Walking around shortly after being awoken from sedation.
Showing Dr. Patterson my new button!
Still blue from that antiseptic stuff and a bit swollen but it is still pretty!
Final product! After all the work, complications and appointments – I have my button =)
It took approximately 1 hour for the procedure with another hour of recovery. There was very little pain experienced and anything I did experience I attribute to the fact that it was the first time I had a balloon in my intestine. If anyone is considering switching from a tube to a low-profile button, I 100% recommend it. The freedom you get with the button is amazing and it is just plain more attractive. Thanks to all who have put up with me, in my quest for a jejunostomy low-profile button. It is very much appreciated =)
