Anterior resection op

Hi.I had a different op but have an iliostomy.I was told initially "if its white its right" so white fish/meat/pasta/rice/veg/cheese/yogurt/bread etc.then gradually add in other foods in small quantities(eggcup full) to see how it goes.

However if he had a colostomy the advise would be different.

Has the hospital given any literature on the subject?

Do join  the stoma group for lots of advise and also click on peoples user names for bios of their journey

All the best

Kath

Hi Kath, 

Thank you for your advice, my husband had an ioleostomy bag, yes they have but not in terms of food just got a brochure given to us.

I will look at the stoma group.

Thank you

Sandra

Hi Sandra:

I had a rectal tumour removed in March and was given a (?hopefully temporary) stoma,. I needed loperimide initially- my stoma nurse forgot to tell me and I had leaks and problems to start.  

As someone else has said white food is good, no fibre or stuff that might cause problems so white bread, fish, chicken, cheese sauce, mash and stuff like that - fortunately I love a bit of slop so it worked for me.  Tinned fruit is good, fresh fruit can move things a bit faster than necessary so if I have apples or pears I peel and lightly stew them. 

I made sure I walked a few times a day, up and down the hospital corridors to get myself moving - I was out after 8 days and back to walking my dogs a week later.  I think recovery is based on your own abilities, although I'm 71 I am active and healthy so in a good place to get back to "normal" 

BTW I was absolutely horrified by the idea of a stoma but a couple of months down the line I'm managing well, it doesn't take long to get used to it really.

Hope this helps - shout if you have specific questions, I've found the people on these forums so helpful and supportive.

Take care

Hi Jessie, 

Thank you so much for the information, it’s very helpful. 

I will look at the stoma forum.

I am so pleased you are doing so well.

kind regards

Sandra

Hi there

I had the same op. My stoma was called Whoopi and I got along fine with her. In fact I was tempted to keep her  

A food diary with an Ileostomy is a great start. I had small meals and often to start. High salt and sugar apparently was a must, so lovely salted butter was enjoyed on white bread, mayo and fish  fingers. Little steamed puddings cream, custard or ice cream. Jelly and marshmallows are good thickeners. 
Keeping a food diary makes sense  it is a good way of introducing new things. It wasn’t long and I was eating a loose leaf salad with cucumber skinned with seeds removed, pepper and radish.

All were fine but lettuce, salmon or pate oh that’s a no no for me but not others 

I had my Ileostomy thirteen months and didn’t need lopermide I found finishing my main meals at six o’clock and if I was loose. Wotsits or a couple of dry crackers at ten o’clock and I was fine. 

My issues I had were wrong products for me, my stoma nurses sorted that out three weeks post op, My flat bags caused irritation and I was sore. I was changed to convex and Eakin slims. That was a game changer for me. Not leaks and my skin was fine

I stayed away at six weeks and enjoy life to the full with my stoma  I flew to Spain a few months after that 

The stoma group are amazing for advice and support 

Best wishes to you both 

I have a permanent iliostomy and in 3 yrs have never taken loperamide.so dont worry unnecessarily about that .

Kath.

Wow that's amazing, I had a dreadful time with leaks and liquid - after I was told to get some the stoma nurse said everyone she looks after takes some, I'm really glad you manage without but I take 2 - 6 a day now or it all goes cattywampus!!

hi there Jessie J

I did try lopermide but it caused my output to stop completely then I had to exercise and massage my tummy until the lopermide moved. So they frightened me 

You can manage your output with diet. Convex bags are a game changer. I emptied my bag every time I had a wee as I liked my bag no more than a third full. Slept from 12-8 with no leaks.
Please join

 Ileostomy, colostomy, urostomy and any other stoma support 

they really are a great bunch and I learned so much there. 
best wishes 

Hi SandraJH

I had the same op as your husband 7 days ago! I have just got settled with the ileostomy bag and consistancy is good. Sometimes a bit liquid and sometimes thick. Can go 6 hrs with nothing entering the bag and other times it starts to fill at quite a rate usually when I stand up and start moving around.

So apart from the inflamation of the stoma itself which should calm and shrink a bit in time I would say I will be getting back to normal by introducing my normal diet back in over the next month or so. This will include a chicken tika massala and a shandy at some point! I also like the fact that my bum is getting a holiday after all it went through!!

Healing time, take it easy!

Hi Richard21,

Thanks for the info, so pleased you’re doing well.

My husband had his op 9 days ago, and is struggling the hospital gave him large plates of food and then he found he was in pain all day after eating.

do you eat little and often? And did you get pain after eating. 
did you drink plenty of water, we are getting two conflicting stories, nurses are saying drink plenty, the surgeon said that too much fluid would make his bag more fluid. He has befn told to drink lucozade obviously not the fizzy type and ribena? 

one first day at home I think maybe he should eat little and often. 

anyone got any suggestions please.

I wish you a good recovery in your journey 

thank you 

Sandra