Diet After Ostomy Surgery

An opening in the abdomen that allows the small or large intestine to pass through it to bypass the diseased or removed part of the intestinal tract is known as a stoma. The entire intestinal diversion is known as an ostomy. Common reasons that can lead a person to require an ostomy may include ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and colorectal cancer.

One of the significant concerns after undergoing ostomy surgery is the diet. In this article, we will talk about the diet after ostomy surgery.

Foods that you can include your diet place after ostomy surgery

During the first few weeks after surgery, you need to go on with a low residue diet. It’s the diet that is low on fiber. Residue, being a solid substance, reaches the lower intestine. If you have a stoma, this residue can cause problems in the first few weeks after surgery because your intestinal tract has not yet adapted to the post-surgery impact.

Foods that you might need to avoid include whole-grain bread, nuts and seeds, skins of fruits and vegetables, and dry fruits. A good rule of thumb is to avoid any food that you cannot cut with the side of your fork.

Daily water intake

Generally, ostomates are recommended to drink more water than people without ostomies. That’s because an ostomy is a diversion that bypasses a portion of, or the entire, colon. The colon’s job, apart from providing a pathway to the stool to move to the rectum, is to absorb water from feces as they move along. With the colon gone, there will be no absorption of water, which can increase the risk of quicker dehydration.

That said, you are going to have to increase your water intake to compensate for the loss of water due to the absence of the colon. However, it is necessary to talk to your doctor regarding the amount of water to drink daily.

Ostomy output odor

Foods and beverages that contain soluble fiber and sugar may cause gas in your intestinal tract. This gas can build up in the ostomy bag, resulting in a bad odor. You can avoid odors by limiting the intake of foods that cause gas.

When to introduce high-fiber foods back into your diet

You can reintroduce foods that you have been eating before surgery when your surgeon allows you to do so. It has a lot to do with the swelling after surgery. When the swelling subsides, you are all set to resume with your normal diet. However, you will need to be wary about the ability of some foods to cause bloating or discomfort. Those are the high-fiber foods, which you should eat only when your doctor allows you.