Drinks

Hi Alec78 

I drink strong black coffee and I’ve always been ok with it. My whole approach was trying things, and if it didn’t agree with me, I left it for a while and tried again. I don’t remember having any issues with coffee, just certain foods. In time, I was able to eat and drink anything, but at 3 weeks from surgery I had only been out of hospital for a week. I did drink coffee in hospital while I was in there, but that was hospital coffee! 

I found out that I soon knew if something didn’t agree with me-very loose output being the usual first sign. You could try a cup and see how you go?

Sarah xx

Thanks for reply Sarah, I also couldn't stomach the hospital coffee.  Pre-op I used to drink a good quality powdered coffee consisting 15% ground beans and 85% freeze dried which I particularly liked but I tried some the other day and it tasted awful so I thought I would give ground coffee a try. The only other pre-op favourite food which I now find distasteful is 85% Aldi chocolate of which I used to eat at least 250 grams a week.  I suppose it's just as well as at this stage one isn't supposed to eat chocolate.  I'm nearly up to my eight cups day of liquid and a side effect of that is that I don't suffer anywhere near the level of discomfort in bed which sometimes used to wake me up and I would find a very difficult to get comfortable again.

Hope you've had a good day, Alec 

Hi.I have an ileostomy and prior to my op couldnt drink coffee at all as it upset my colitis.however post op coffee is no bother at all .so give a small cup a try and see how it goes.it really is a case of trial and error with small amounts of new foods and drinks

Kath

Hi Alec78 

When I had my surgery I wasn’t advised of any food or drink to be avoided, so I wasn’t aware of the chocolate rule! Not that I felt like eating chocolate. I was put on the usual hospital menu as soon as I came out of high dependency and was on the ward. I didn’t feel like eating very much, so it was quite difficult being presented with things like fish and chips and a sausage roll! I usually just managed some weetabix and juice in the morning and not much else in the day, I wasn’t given a “soft diet” or anything different to other patients and was told I should get back to normal eating as soon as possible-no need to make any concessions about anything because of the colostomy. 

Keeping well hydrated was something I didn’t do enough of-I realise that with hindsight. It really is so important and when my fluid intake was higher I did feel better. The same is true for me now. Keep up the drinking!

Sarah xx

Hello Katz, tried real coffee this morning, absolutely delicious. Bought some chicken thighs this morning and thoroughly enjoyed them as well.

For anyone new to this subject I found a good website yesterday with an easy to follow set of  choose / avoid tables for fruit veg etc

It's pdf but if you search for: 

University London college hospitals, low fibre diet, dept of nutrition 

I've just started adding salt as well as sugar to the warm water I drink. I don't think I will reach my target today but it will still be more than what I have been drinking.

Were you advised to do this Alec? I just drank water or squash but didn’t add salt or sugar ever.

There are differences in diet between colostomy and ileostomy, with the colostomy potentially allowing much more freedom in eating choices.

I have never followed a low fibre diet since my surgery and eat fruit with skins, the skin on a jacket potato, sweetcorn, mushrooms, the lot! I know my friend Artsie who had an ileostomy for just over a year was envious of my ability to eat sweetcorn! Nothing in the last 3.5 years that I have eaten has caused me any problems. 

Very glad to read that you enjoyed your coffee and your chicken thighs. Protein is a really important part of diet in the healing process as you recover from your surgery.

Sarah xx

Ouch

Sarah very naughty I’m reversed and still can not eat what I like. Only time I had a blockage was after my reversal and in hindsight I feel it may have been enthusiastically attempting everything I was banned for thirteen months. 
I can eat a little soft sweetcorn now. No chomping on a fresh corn dripping in butter and salt 

See what a non healthy diet I enjoyed

Alec78

I used to have drink lots with an Ileostomy I dehydrated really quickly giving my the feeling of being light headed thirst and a banging headache 

I bought isotonic drinks the own brands they’re half the price of the known brand. 
It was my little treat to myself 

I enjoyed a small chocolate bar with a glass of wine for my recovery. White wine was no bother. 

Take care 

I wish you would all stop talking about sweetcorn.I am so so jealous.I used to enjoy popcorn too.oh for the good old days!!!!!

Kath

If it’s any consolation Kath I can’t eat pop corn either. I went to see a film with Abi that’s all I could smell. 
I consoled myself with chocolate and milkshake !