Is weight gain possible after PEG placement?

Weight gain following significant prior weight loss is quite rare. Weight stabilization is more common and realistic. A PEG tube becomes necessary when a swallowing disorder (dysphagia) makes it difficult to eat. Even without weight loss, a PEG tube is medically advisable in this situation.

However, despite having a swallowing disorder, most patients try to avoid a PEG tube and continue to rely solely on oral nutrition. Experience shows that a PEG tube is not inserted (despite medical advice to do so early on) until weight loss has already occurred. Severe weight loss (more than 10 kg) can only be reversed in exceptional cases: Some patients continue to lose weight (albeit to a lesser extent) despite having a PEG tube. In another group of patients, weight stabilizes, while only a smaller group of patients is able to gain weight through high-calorie tube feeding.

Overall, expectations regarding the results of nutritional therapy should be realistic. Regaining body weight is more difficult than preventing weight loss through early and adequate nutritional therapy using liquid nutrition and (in cases of severe swallowing difficulties) through early placement of a PEG tube.