Vanderbilt Digestive Disease Center

PEG stands for Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostromy. This is a procedure through which a flexible feeding tube is placed through the abdominal wall and into your stomach. This tube allows for nutrition, fluids and medicine to be put directly into your stomach bypassing the mouth and esophagus.

How to Prepare for This Test
You will check in at admitting located in the main lobby; 1st floor of Vanderbilt Hospital.

8 Hours before: Do not eat or drink anything. If you have an afternoon appointment (after 12:30) you may have clear liquids until 8 hours prior to the test, but no solids. Examples include: coffee or tea (no cream), all soft drinks, white cranberry or apple juice, clear beef or chicken bouillon.

After the procedure: Please prepare for an overnight stay since you will be admitted following the procedure.

What to Expect
This procedure is typically performed with anesthesia or sedation. This will be discussed when you are contacted by a nurse for your pre-assessment evaluation. If it is determined that sedation or anesthesia is necessary depending on your diagnosis and/or physician preference, a driver must accompany you and stay in the waiting area during your procedure. Click here to read more about what to expect in the GI Lab.