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Marcia, Insertion of a PEG tube is a surgical procedure that is very low risk; a small hole is made into the stomach, the tube is inserted and secured on the outside of the abdomen. Feeding usually begins with water and progresses to high calorie tube feedings. Yes, people can still eat once a PEG is inserted. However, it seems that you Dad might have difficulty swallowing so continued oral feeding might not be a good idea. Care of the tube is very simple. Site care (cleansing the area with water and keeping it clean) is usually done once a day. In the hospital, we check the residual fluid in the stomach to assess whether or not the feeding is being retained. When there is a large amount of feeding retrieved, we stop feeding until we are confident that the patient is capable of digesting food again. Home health care should be provided for your parents until they are comfortable with maintaining the tube. Peace of mind comes with knowing that one's loved one is receiving proper nutrition with little impact on daily living. ---- Regards Mary Ann