Tube weaning programs means getting a patient accustomed to more solid foods after being removed from a feeding tube that introduced a nutritious paste with the consistency of a thick milk shake directly into the stomach. The problem with receiving food like this is that the stomach becomes overly accustomed to soft food while the muscles of the jaw become less accustomed to chewing and the muscles weaken. A person who has not eaten solid food for a long time has trouble transitioning back right away. Find a doctor and a nutritionist who can help work on tube weaning programs.
Feeding a person with a tube is no small task as it involves been hooked to an automated feeder and either assistance from a nurse or a trained family member. Creating a plan to reintroduce normal food is a normal part of the overall recovery plan. The typical step is to revert to using soft foods such as mashed potatoes and apple sauce among other things that can be cooked into a paste that is easy to swallow.
If the patient was conscious during tube feeding, than that person is likely eager to taste regular food again. If the person was unconscious, then reintroducing regular food might be a bit more difficult but the person will expect the taste of regular food. While determining which step is best to start with and how long a feeding step should last needs a professional decision, the good news is that there are a lot of options to work with.
For more advanced treatment, the person removed from a tube might first be fed a nutrition shake from a can in a grade of added fiber and viscosity. While similar products are marketed to senior citizens as an easy way to get extra fiber, products specific to recovering from tube feeding are available on the market. They cost more than similar commercial shakes but are specially formulated to caloric and vitamin needs.
Shakes come in a variety of flavors as well, so it helps the recovering patient to beat boredom. There are also no rules against continuing to use nutrition shakes while starting to eat semi-solid foods, and mixing of the two might be apart of the plan until they are no longer needed. The final stage involves moving back to soft and then gradually to hard solid food. Tough vittles like steak are out of the question for a while, but beans and apples are ideal during the late recovery phase.
