weaning off of enteral feeds

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Good afternoon: I have a patient who is transitioning from enteral noctural feeds to oral P.O. S/P LGB january 08 with post-op leaks X 2. He was on hime TPN for a few weeks and has been on enterals for over a month. The leak has healed and the surgeon wants to d/c tube feeds. The patient has lost over 80 pounds in about two months (finally talked the surgeon to give 1800 kcals instead of his standard 1200 kcals). The patient is afraid to start PO and wants to remain on enterals. He is afraid of another leak. For patient comfort my first thought is to wean him off slowly.. Any suggestions on calorie goal (usually LGB patients are consuming < 1000 kcals/d) or the discontinuation of TF? Thanks for your advise. Beth Taschuk RD

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