Hi, My wife didn't want to have her tube inserted at first. She was diagnosed in June 2008. She finally decided to go to a gastrointerologist to have it inserted in October 2008. The procedure was a nightmare for her and was ultimately unsuccessful because she could not tolerate being intubated. We decided to wait. Then a month later she got very sick with a blood infection and ended up in the hospital. They decided to install the PEG through their interventional radiology department. This was at University of New Mexico Hospital. The procedure was so easy and nearly painfree with only a local anesthetic. The doctor Xrayed her stomach, inflated her stomach with O2, then made a small incision and put in the tube. She was done in less than an hour. No intubation. Very slick. She resisted using it from December until this June when a video swallow study showed her aspirating food particles. She has used it ever since with no more food by mouth. It was an adjustment but it helped her keep her weight on. We bought a Vitamix 5000 blender and it has saved the day by allowing her to mix her own food. She tried Ensure but could not tolerate the preservatives and additives. She has had the tube replaced twice (they wear out) through the radiology department. I would encourage you to investigate this approach to installing the tube. It is a big adjustment in large part because for my wife it felt like she was admitting defeat. Eating was a way to remain "normal" but she eventually decided to accept her new reality. Hope this helps.
Mike