Diet after surgery

Hi. I had a LAR with an Ileostomy and had to eat low fibre white bread and beige food. I adjusted to it quickly as I really had no choice. I introduced slowly keeping a food diary really helped. It’s trial and error. Small steamed puddings were always enjoyed. 
I enjoyed fish finger sandwiches with real butter on white bread with mayo. However salmon reacted badly. I also had to up my salt and sugar with my Ileostomy. Isotonic drinks are really good too. I bought the own brands. It didn’t take long and I could eat loose leaf salads super foods and also a glass of wine in moderation. Beer can cause issues. 
Hope this helps 

Hi FionaC

Congrats that hubby is ready for release tomorrow.

I'd suggest you or he speaks to colorectal nurse before he leaves hospital about a plan to move from low fibre, low residue to a diet suitable to his particular health needs.

I regret i didn't and it has taken me nearly 3 months of trial and error, and i wouldn't say i had fully cracked it.

The good news is that oncology can also make a referral to dietician if he's going onto to chemo next.

Worst case if you don't get help, i recently discovered this NHS page that maybe helpful:  www.nhs.uk/.../

I would agree with others, introduce slowly and diarise wins and challenges so you can adjust amounts + ingredients to get best results. Be patient - some of us take a while to get over surgery and for our bodies to be ready for the diet change.

Oh and i found breadcrumbs very painful - so we are all different.

Thanks so much for this, everything is a total blur at the moment. I’m sure it will take time to adjust to his new diet, it goes against everything that we eat at the moment but I love the tip about keeping a diary. I just need to get him to eat as he’s hardly had anything for the past 3 days. Looks like he will be in until at least Monday as he’s not been good today x

hi FionaC

It’s a slow process.
When the nurses came around after my op and said white bread and pasta. I said I eat neither. They explained the reasons for it so I went with it. 
It’s not too bad once you can have some interesting fillings. I just had a piece of toast for breakfast, half a white bread sandwich for lunch. A little steamed pudding with ice cream or custard. Evening meal mash potato with butter and mustard and a little protein. Chew chew chew is what I needed to do as I was paranoid about blocking my stoma. Your husband although doesn’t have that concern he still can help his bowel by chewing everything really well. I found this really helped 

Good luck with everything. 

Thank you so much. I’m really at a loss what to do at the moment, not helped by hubby burying his head in the sand but this is how he is dealing with it so I have to go with that. Just want him home now, although that is really scary too. So glad I joined this group as it is really helping me come to terms with things, so thank you xx

Hi FionaC

I always fine it gets easier when you get them home as long as you are realistic . I just got my mum home again after a month in hospital and two stones weight loss. But even after a week at home I can see her making progress . Perseverance and bucket loads of love seems to do the trick .

It does take a departure from normal diet but it’s only temporary and things do get better .

The comfort of home really helps on so many levels . 
Take care ,

Court 

Thank you Court, I’m really struggling at the moment but hopefully when I get him home it will be easier. Hate seeing him like this as he’s never been ill in the 30 years we’ve been married so that just makes it harder x

Totally understandable. I really struggle with the whole hospital environment and seeing the person you love having to go through so much . But home is different for me and I always feel my mum makes good progress when you can nurture them .

Its really takes it out of you but it does get easier and home comforts make a big difference. 
Take care ,

Court