Has anyone had problems with nothing passing through into stoma bag in early days? I am eating a very varied diet, including fibre, but cannot eat sufficient amount to start putting back weight I lost.
Welcome to the forum! Please don't be too worried about nothing passing through - it will take a bit of time for everything to settle down and get into more of a routine. You should be eating small amounts and often. Speak to your stoma nurses about your concerns and they will be able to reassure you and advise you on how to eat to gain weight.
A very warm welcome to the online community and I'm sorry that you are having trouble with your (lack of) output
When you say the early days how long ago since your surgery. Days Weeks, Months
If you are not passing anything into your bag are you experience any wind as this would be an indication that your stoma is working
As you have not told me the type of stoma you have (colostomy or ileostomy) I can only advise you on the basics
Yout output will depend mainly on which type of stoma you have: colostomy, or ileostomy. Like all output, it can also be affected by diet, liquid intake etc. For all types of stoma, it is important to drink plenty of fluids, st least 6 cups of liquid a day (8-10 if you have an ileostomy). This will help keep your digestive systems happy and healthy. You need the fluids to bulk up the fibre you are eating.
It is possible to be constipated with a stoma, are you in any pain, and is your stomach hard and swollen if you are quite a few days since your operation 4 or 5 days or more and you were okay prior to leaving hospital and absolutely nothing is coming into your bag not even clear water like substance you must contact your stoma care nurse who may advise you to start taking a laxative but please don't take any until she advises it is okay to do so.
In the meantime you could try sitting and rocking side to side in case you have a slight blockage you could also try a warm hot water bottle on your stomach.
You should not expect to put on weight for a little while but this again depends when you had your surgery.
If at anytime you feel sick nauseous or are in great pain before you speak to your stoma care nurse please telephone NHS England Direct on 111 for advice
Would you please come back to me and let me know how you getting on and if you need any help with anything.
Please do come back to me but if you do nothing else please do contact you stoma care nurse for advice as soon as possible, I would like to know how long since your surgery and what she suggested.
The BODACH is here to help and advise at any time just give me a shout out
Thank you Ian! Am two and a half weeks post op but had some complications, one being a paralysed bowel. Was discharged Wednesday and the stoma was working at that point, but not since. By the way I have a colostomy. However, after writing on here lo and behold I’ve had some action! I’m reassured now that I don’t have a blockage. Thank you for your very prompt response.
That's great news so pleased you have had some action, it will make you feel better.
Just remember its eat a little often and have a cut off time of about 5 to 6 pm daily when you have your last meal of the day so hopefully you will be able to empty before you go to sleep and hopefully have an undisturbed night, and its chew you food at least 30 times before you swallow, chew more if its stringy or hard foods, and do remember to drink often everything you drink gets you to your minimum of 6 cups per day.
Always here to help you on anything at all to do with your stoma management.
