Advice re Foods to Avoid

Thanks Cressie. Hope everything goes well and our thoughts are with you and your hubby.  

Thanks Ann. How long ago did you actually have your op as you seem to have came a long way which is fantastic.

Hi Mr Mac

I had an ileostomy 6 months ago.

At first it was rice krispies, white bread, chicken, fish, mashed potatoes, pasta, yogurt etc - basically white or beige food, and very boring.

Once I knew that I could tolerate all of that I started to add some well cooked root veg, 1/2 peeled apple, a wee bit of banana, soup - just little amounts initially.  A retired nurse advised trying an egg cup full of anything new at a time to see how it went.

Now, I can eat and drink most things without any trouble. All meats, curries, most salad or fruit and veg, chocolate, wine.  I still peel apples and I'm careful with grapes and peppers - chew, chew, chew!  I even tackled some Dundee cake the other day.  It was a Christmas present, used to be a favourite and it was beckoning me.  Took the nuts off the top, just had a wee slice to see how it went, and there were no issues. Oh, it was good!

I still avoid nuts (unless they're very finely chopped), fizzy drinks (as the bag really inflates) and eggs (for some reason my "new" digestive system just can't tolerate them - always fine before).  I also find that I feel more comfortable with slightly smaller meals and an earlier evening meal just to give a bit more time for digestion before bed.  All in all, I don't feel deprived and I wouldn't be scared to try anything new.  

I hope that this info helps.  Good luck.

Hi Mr Mac. 
Sorry for late response. My daughter popped in.

I had my LAR August 4th. If you click on my name you can read my bio. My op was 6hrs keyhole and incisions.

I was up next day washed  emptied my bag and walking. I ate from the daily choice and I was out in five days. They told me if I got up and moving I’d be home fast and that was all I needed. 

I felt better day one because the tumour was out. They’d done their part now it was mine. 

I had two weeks when I was delicate and the pain killers tired me however it wasn’t long before I was out and about. 

You sound a very strong and positive woman Artsie.  I am not 100% sure how on long my wife's surgery will be as, unfortunately, she has stage 4 cancer and also has a tumor in her liver. The surgeons have still to decide on whether to operate on the bowel and liver together in the one go or do them individually. I know her preference would be to have tumors operated on at the same time as it would mean only the one stay in hospital. Take care

I think your wife sounds strong too. That would be the best to have the one operation. You’ve got a lot more to deal with than I though I didn’t know what stage I was until after the biopsy I was thinking chemo but didn’t need it. I hope all goes well. 

Thanks BlueBlue, that's really helpful information. I'm amazed at the positivity in the replies I have had back re this topic.  I do ,however, fully appreciate that it's not me who is going through this procedure and I fully understand the worry my wife is going through at the moment but I do know that she will  take comfort reading the replies from everyone who has responded . Take care

Thanks Artsie Ann

Hi Mr Mac,

I got my stoma (Stan) back in August last year. I started off very warily and stuck to the advice given so white bread,  white pasta, rice etc,  but I gradually introduced all the foods I used to eat and am now eating everything I could pre-op.
I don’t know if it makes any difference but I’m pescatarian so don’t eat meat so I can’t offer any advice on that, but I’m back to eating everything I used to eat. Including the potential blockers: nuts, sweetcorn, dried fruit, mushrooms. I think chewing everything really well is the key like kat51 mentioned, and just trying a very small amount of something first helps to see if you can process it ok whilst at home before you do it when out and about. I can honestly say I can go out and eat now without a worry. Fizzy drinks I let rest a little before I have them. If my consistency is perhaps too runny which can make you feel a little off, I will have a banana or some jelly babies to help thicken it up. 
I hope this helps, wishing you the best of luck.

Wilma

Hi Wilma

Do you have an ileostomy or colostomy? 
I love sweetcorn however I’m too frightened to try it