So I am now almost three weeks post-takedown, and experimenting with what foods I can and can't yet tolerate. I'm a pretty big fan of fruits and vegetables, and I'm curious as to which ones people find easiest to tolerate in the early days after takedown. So far bananas, blueberries and peaches (without skin) have been fine, but in the vegetable category I'm not having as much luck. Tried some plain salads of just lettuce over the weekend with not great results. I'm concerned about getting the appropriate vitamins/minerals from my diet. Drank some V8 juice today, but are there any vegetables that aren't too hard on the pouch? I considered some cooked spinach, but not sure how that would go. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi Michelle
I would try potatoes, carrots, root vegetables like turnips, swedes etc. and anything else that you'd consider giving a baby - think of what we start babies on, to give their stomachs an easy start. I craved spinach with my ostomy, as it was on my list of no-no's, so I ate it reasonably soon after TD. I don't remember any problems with it. I have finely chopped spinach, usually creamed or as a spinach soup, and it's fine in my case. Great for getting iron and vitamins, not to mention salt and liquids. I think salads still gave me the trots at 3 weeks post-TD, but I just love them so I'm sure I just kept eating them. They're certainly no trouble any more. Avocado is great - easily digested. I ate cucumber with skins and all pretty much immediately, but if you're worried about an obstruction, try just peeling them and chewing well. You know, I just went wild after TD. Apart from tomatoes and red pepper, which really set my bum on fire , I just went for it and ate all the things I'd missed so badly with the bag. I ate olives, pickles, spinach, peas...the works! I have still not dared eat an orange the normal way as I've heard too many stories about obstructions. So I still just squeeze them or slurp on the segments and discard the actual membrane bit. Not sure I'll ever dare eat a whole segment. You're doing the right thing, just trying things out slowly and one by one.

Soph's right about the root vegetables. I found that in the first couple of months after takedown, sweet potatoes were the kindest to my pouch and butt.

Hey Soph, could you explain more about the orange obstruction thing? I have never heard of it. Does this apply to mangos as well and what other fruits if any? THanks!

She's referring to the fibrous white membrane that surrounds orange, grapefruit, tangerine segments, etc. It's notorious for causing blockages in some people. I'm with her, I'd rather be safe than sorry.