Help! I can't live without fruit and salads anymore. Had 1st of 2 surgeries Feb. 14 and still more tired than I had hoped. I want to add healthier foods to my diet but I was told with an ostomy bag, berries and salads are dangerous. Any suggestions?

Can you wait till your j-pouch surgery? I had serious obstruction problems with the ileos - but since takedown (after waiting a couple months) I've been able to eat anything and everything. If you do decide to eat that stuff - proceed with caution - drink tons and chew your food very well. By the way - be extremely careful with lettuce - it landed me in the hospital for a week with an obstruction that I almost needed surgery for.

Another suggestion, while perhaps not the most ideal method of preparation, is to puree your veggies or fruit in a blender. I understand this more or less eliminates the satisfaction of sitting down and eating a whole salad, but at least you will still get many of nutrients. There's nothing wrong, in my opinion, using a blender to help support digestion until you are confident about consuming any foods which you believe might cause you problems.

I have a 14 year old pouch, but have scar tissue so my diet is limited if I don't want an obstruction.

You can make fruit smoothies in a blender. Try cooking your smooth veggies well. You can cut them up small and add them to quiche and soups. Try mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes.

For me, the most dangerous foods are: mushrooms, olives, popcorn, celery, raw onion, iceberg lettuce...any stringy or bulky veggies. Romaine lettuce is OK if it is cut up small. Most fruit are too fiberous or dense. Blueberry pancakes are OK. Wow, I'm hungry now! Got to go have lunch...

I had a temp illeo for 8 months and in that time I ate just about everything. I waited a couple of months before I had salad, and I added new foods slowly, and I had no problems. Try adding some canteloupe or honey dew melon, both of those are easy to pass foods. Try eating minestrone or vegetable soup, those vegetables are very soft and again shouldn't pose any problems.

When I started with salads, I ate the soft kind, bibb lettuce, green and red leaf lettuce. Try a couple of strawberries too. Just remember to chew well and drink alot of water. I wouldn't try raw vegetables or mushrooms, or very stringy vegetables, but you should be able to eat a normal diet with an ostomy.

Hope this helps,

janna

By the way, Dr. Milsom is my surgeon, and I too think he's awesome.

janna

thanks everyone, I'll try a few things and start making smoothies. Janna - when did you have your surgeries? I'm trying to convince Dr. Milsom to do my takedown in 2 months not 3. Think I have a chance? He is such a great doctor! Were you on 8N at the hospital?? Couldn't believe how great everyone was.

You can try, he may compromise and do it in 2.5, but usually he has reasons. I was on 8N and they are great. I had my first surgery 5 years ago, and then a corrective surgery last feb, and takedown this october. I kept my ostomy for 2 extra months because I wanted to go on vacation and I was feeling great. Don't be afraid to eat and do things with the ostomy, it will help you feel better both physically and mentally. If I can help or you have any questions, please let me know.

janna

Thanks, Janna. I always have questions! I'm trying to get used to it but its hard for me. My clothes don't really fit, I'm tired alot and my hair is falling out in clumps! I have 2 young kids so I don't have time to wallow in self-pity. Thanks for the tips. I'm going to try some strawberries right now. How was the takedown? I'm almost more afraid of that then the 1st surgery.

Don't be afraid of takedown, it's much easier than the first surgery. Because mine was done for corrective reasons, he went in thru 2 small incisions to check what he had repaired. I don't think he'll make any incisions with yours. He'll do it through the ostomy site. It's a much easier surgery. Even the hospital stay is less. It's a quick surgery too, it doesn't take hours like the first one did.

It's good to ask questions, so just ask away.

Enjoy those strawberries, just make sure to chew well and drink.

janna

Janna - be careful I come up with questions all day long! How is the 2nd surgery going for you? Are you in the bathroom all day - seems like some people are and that worries me. Pouchitis, butt burn - things I really didn't sign up for! Of course, I had emergency surgery so choices weren't offered. Also, did you go the beach and swim with the ostomy? We are supposed to go away w/ friends before my surgery in May but I haven't booked it yet.

My kids ate all the strawberries so I had a few slices of tomato - so far so good. I guess I will know what an obstruction felt like.

Thanks again -
Risa

Risa, be careful with tomatoes, because of seeds. I ate them with my ostomy but I waited a few months. Start with the melons and soft fruits, and cooked vegetables. Wait a little while and then move to salads, etc.

I had my ostomy through the summer. I took 2 trips by plane and went to the beach and the pool. I had no problems swimming with the ostomy. I tried the pink hy-tape, but it irritated my skin, so I just used the regular white tape that Diane, the ostomy nurse, showed me in the hospital.

I've had my pouch for 5 years, so even though I just had takedown, it is pretty well adjusted.

After my original surgery, I really didn't get much butt burn, and when I did I would use a little calmoseptine ointment. After takedown, you should start adding new foods one at a time so you see how your pouch reacts. The first time I ate watermelon, I had some burning because of the sugar content. I tried again a few weeks later and it was fine. I eat it all the time now and it doesn't bother me at all. You just need to have some patience in the beginning and give your pouch time to adjust.

If you are going away where it's hot, just remember to drink alot. Without our colon it's easier for us to dehydrate.

It's tough when you have emergency surgery, you don't get the time to research what is going to happen. Please ask any questions you'd like, and if you want, I can email my number to you and we could talk on the phone.

So, book that vacation and have a good time!!!

janna

I did ok with applesauce and bananas. Canned fruit and cooked vegies were ok by my doc and ostomey nurse. Hang in there.

I have an ostomy and can eat anything I want, whenever I want, including popcorn and nuts. To be honest I don't even chew that well, but don't tell my surgeon that! Not everyone can do this however, so start gradually ( I waited about a month after surgery to have my first salad) and chew your food well, just in case. I would definitly try all the foods if I were you. Just be cautious and enjoy!

Cinnybun - You're my hero! I'll start slowly introducing things. Janna - I would love to chat in real time. You can contact me at risabar2@aol.com

Thanks - Risa