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Food is still one of life’s pleasures
Everyone is different when it comes to which foods agree with them. Many people get back to their usual diet soon after surgery, because foods that suited you before your operation will often suit you with a stoma too. Day to day, the main things are to avoid constipation and to get to know which foods may cause odour, wind or looser output. It may take a little trial and error at first, but with time you’ll find what works for you, and most people can keep enjoying many of the foods they love.
The first weeks: easy to digest and regular
Straight after surgery, start with easily digestible food and do not cut back on eating or drinking. Try new foods one at a time and in small amounts. Take your time, chew well and sip drinks slowly. Aim for around five to six meals a day at regular times, prepared with little fat. A stable body weight also matters, as large changes can alter the position of your stoma.
Your stoma day to day: type, hydration and blockages
Ileostomy, colostomy or urostomy: what applies to me?
With an ileostomy, the large bowel is bypassed, so output is usually very loose at first and stays softer than before surgery. With a colostomy, output is also looser at first but gradually becomes firmer. A urostomy does not affect digestion, so you usually do not need to change your diet. Urinary tract infections are not uncommon; cranberry juice or vitamin C are sometimes used to help prevent them, but they are no substitute for treatment.
Drink enough and keep an eye on electrolytes
As a general guide, aim for around 2 to 2.5 litres a day. With an ileostomy especially, you can lose a lot of fluid, sodium and potassium, particularly with diarrhoea. Signs of dehydration include headaches, thirst, tiredness, a dry mouth and dark urine. Potatoes, bananas, spinach and meat provide potassium; bread and cheese provide sodium. Alcohol can dehydrate you and may interact with medication, so talk to your doctor or stoma care nurse.
- More on stoma blockages
Stoma blockage: prevention and warning signs
A blockage is usually caused by very fibrous foods that cannot be broken down fully, even when chewed thoroughly. Severe abdominal pain, a feeling of fullness and vomiting can be signs. If a blockage is starting, drinking more and gently massaging your abdomen can often help. If no output comes from your stoma for 8 to 12 hours, or your symptoms get worse, please seek medical help straight away, as this can be an emergency.
Which foods affect digestion? The key points
Pulses, cabbage, onions, fresh bread and fizzy drinks are more likely to cause wind. Bananas, rice, potatoes and oats tend to thicken output, while fresh fruit, spicy or fatty food, caffeine and alcohol can loosen it. Cabbage, garlic, asparagus, eggs and fish can add to odour; yoghurt and parsley may help. Nuts, seeds, dried fruit, popcorn and fibrous foods such as pineapple or mushrooms can make a blockage more likely. Everyone reacts differently. The full guide has the complete lists.
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Practical for everyday life: a sample day and a food diary
The guide’s sample day includes fennel tea and yoghurt with blueberries for breakfast, soft pasta with chicken in a mild tomato and cream sauce for lunch, and bread with avocado, cream cheese and sliced meat in the evening. A food diary at the end of the guide helps you note what you ate and how you felt, so you can spot patterns and find out what works for you.