Ileostomy Surgery: Diet Recommendations And Restrictions

Following ileostomy surgery, patients must adhere to specific dietary guidelines to facilitate healing and manage side effects. These guidelines include recommendations such as eating small, frequent meals, adequate fluid intake, and a focus on bland, low-fibre foods. Patients may also experience food intolerances, leading to symptoms like diarrhoea, bloating, or bad odour. It is crucial to introduce new foods gradually and monitor their impact. Additionally, patients should be cautious with fats and high-fibre foods, as they can cause discomfort or blockage. Adequate hydration is essential, as people with ileostomies lose more water, salt, and potassium than usual, increasing the risk of dehydration.

Eat small meals often

People who have undergone ileostomy surgery should eat small meals frequently. This means having about six meals spread throughout the day instead of three large ones. Eating smaller meals will help limit bowel movements from your ileostomy at night. It is also important to eat meals slowly and chew food thoroughly.

For the first few weeks after surgery, it is recommended to eat mostly bland, low-fiber foods. After this initial period, your doctor will advise if you can start adding high-fibre foods back into your diet. This will help to bulk up your bowel movements, making them more solid. When reintroducing high-fibre foods, do so slowly and one at a time. Some foods to consider when increasing fibre intake include a small ripe banana, but be mindful not to eat more than one a day as it may cause an ileostomy blockage.

Additionally, when consuming fats, start with small amounts as they may cause discomfort. You can monitor your fibre intake by checking the Nutrition Facts label on food products. It is also important to be aware that you may develop new food intolerances after surgery, which can cause symptoms such as diarrhoea, bloating, gas, or a bad odour. If you experience these symptoms, avoid the triggering food for a few weeks, and then try reintroducing it in small amounts.

To stay hydrated, aim to drink about 2 litres of water per day. This will help replace the fluids lost through your ileostomy and prevent dehydration. Keep track of your liquid intake and ostomy output throughout the day to ensure you are maintaining adequate hydration.

Drink lots of liquids

It is important to drink lots of liquids after ileostomy surgery. Aim for 8 to 10 glasses of water per day, which equates to about 2 litres. This will help to prevent dehydration, which is a common issue after this type of surgery as you lose more water than usual. It is recommended that you keep track of your liquid intake throughout the day. You can do this by recording the amount you drink in a log or diary.

Dehydration can be dangerous, so be mindful of any signs that you may not be drinking enough. These can include dark-coloured urine, feeling thirsty, dizziness, and fatigue. If you experience any of these symptoms, increase your fluid intake and consider contacting your healthcare provider for advice.

In addition to water, you can also include other liquids in your diet. However, it is important to be cautious of any food intolerances that may have developed as a result of the surgery. Some people may find that they have issues with dairy products, for example. If you are unsure, it is best to speak to a dietitian or nutritionist for personalised advice.

It is also worth noting that you should avoid drinking large amounts of liquid with your meals. This is because it can make you feel too full and may cause discomfort. Instead, try to space out your liquid intake throughout the day and drink smaller amounts with meals.

Avoid high-fat foods

After ileostomy surgery, it is important to be mindful of the foods you consume, as some may cause discomfort or even blockage. This is especially true of high-fat foods, which can be challenging for people with an ileostomy to tolerate. Here are some detailed instructions and guidelines to follow regarding fat intake:

Firstly, it is recommended to start with small amounts of fat when introducing it into your diet. Fats may cause discomfort, so it is important to monitor how your body reacts. The amount of fat in a food item can be determined by checking the Nutrition Facts label, which will help you make informed choices about your fat intake.

Secondly, be cautious of any food intolerances that may have developed after your surgery. Food intolerances can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as diarrhoea, bloating, gas, or a bad odour. If you suspect a food intolerance to high-fat foods, avoid them for a few weeks and then try reintroducing them in small amounts. It is important to introduce new foods one at a time, so you can easily identify any triggers.

Additionally, for the first few weeks after surgery, it is advisable to eat small meals frequently throughout the day instead of large meals. This helps limit bowel movements and keeps you comfortable while your colon heals. Eating slowly and chewing your food well are also recommended.

Furthermore, staying hydrated is crucial. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of liquids (about 2 litres) every day to replace the water lost through your ileostomy and prevent dehydration. Dehydration can be a concern after ileostomy surgery, as people with an ileostomy tend to lose more water, salt, and potassium than usual. Keep a record of your liquid intake and ostomy output to help manage your hydration levels effectively.

By following these guidelines and monitoring your fat intake, you can help ensure a smooth recovery and maintain your comfort after ileostomy surgery.

Introduce new foods slowly

After ileostomy surgery, it is important to introduce new foods slowly into your diet. This is because you may experience some food intolerances that you didn't have before the surgery, such as diarrhea, bloating, gas, or a bad odour. Food intolerances can often disappear as your colon heals, but it is still best to be cautious when trying new foods.

When you are introducing new foods, start with small amounts. For example, when trying eggs, begin with one egg and see how you tolerate it. Similarly, when trying fish or nut butters, start with a small amount as these foods may cause a bad odour when you open your pouch. The same goes for fats—they may cause discomfort, so it's best to start with a small amount and increase gradually.

It is also important to introduce high-fiber foods slowly. Your doctor will advise you on when you can start adding these back into your diet, usually around two weeks after surgery. High-fiber foods will help to bulk up your bowel movements, making them more solid. However, too much fibre too soon can lead to an ileostomy blockage, so it's important to go slowly and increase your fibre intake gradually.

For the first few weeks after surgery, it is recommended to stick to mostly bland, low-fiber foods and eat small meals frequently. This will help limit bowel movements and keep you comfortable while your colon heals. It is also important to chew your food well and drink plenty of liquids to stay hydrated, as people with an ileostomy lose more water, salt, and potassium than usual.

Monitor liquid intake and output

People who have had ileostomy surgery should monitor their liquid intake and output. This is because they lose more salt, potassium, and water than usual, which can lead to dehydration. It is recommended that they drink 8 to 10 (8-ounce) glasses (about 2 liters) of liquids every day. This will help replace the water lost through the ileostomy and prevent dehydration.

To monitor liquid intake and output, patients can keep a record of how much liquid they drink and how much comes out of their ileostomy. This can be done by using a liquid intake and ostomy output log. By tracking this information, patients can ensure they are staying properly hydrated and identify any potential issues.

It is important to introduce new foods slowly and one at a time, as people may develop new food intolerances after the surgery. Some foods to be cautious of include fats, which may cause discomfort, and bananas, which should be limited to one small ripe banana per day for the first 3 to 4 weeks to avoid an ileostomy blockage.

Additionally, patients should follow general dietary guidelines such as eating small meals frequently throughout the day, chewing food well, and limiting evening meals to reduce night-time bowel movements. It is also recommended to eat mostly bland, low-fiber foods and slowly introduce high-fiber foods back into the diet as the colon heals.

Frequently asked questions