Hey guys. I just had my first surgery of 3 and was in the hospital for 10 days due to a blockage and dehydration and what not. The surgery went well. I have a few questions though. Will I have to chew my food so it's like applesauce as long as I have the bag in? What are some foods to have a couple weeks after surgery? Thanks! Yours truly, Goody.
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You shouldn't really have a restriction if you have an illeostomy bag. If you don't chew your food good enough you will see the pieces of solid food in your bag when you go to empty it. My surgeon told me go nuts when I had my bag cause that was the opportunity I had to not worry about what I ate all the time.
You should chew your food well and you should not eat raw vegetables, probably forever. I don't think I would ever eat raw carrots again. Cooked and soft is fine. Shredded raw would be fine too. Things I did well with, chicken, mashed potato, cooked vegetables, rice, well chewed meat. When I felt I had a blockage I drank white grape juice. It did wonders. I always had a bottle at home. Make sure to stay well hydrated. I drank lots of Gatorade.
Also, popcorn can cause problems. When I eat it I only eat a little and drink lots of white grape juice in between bites.
I believe it is overkill to say no raw vegetables forever. It is a very individual experience. I have heard that with the ileostomy there is a higher obstruction risk, but once it is taken down, that risk is very much reduced.
I would not encourage anyone to restrict their diet any more than is necessary for them. Some people have lots of problems, but most do not.
I eat raw vegetables daily, and had salads while still in the hospital. Mushrooms, cooked or raw, can cause partial obstructions for me, but I still eat them.
Also, careful with the Gatorade. It is not designed to be a hydration fluid for GI problems, but as a sports drink. There is too much sugar in it to drink a lot of it. A lot of sugar promotes diarrhea. G2 or no sugar types are OK. You can also dilute gegular Gatorade 50%.
Jan
I would not encourage anyone to restrict their diet any more than is necessary for them. Some people have lots of problems, but most do not.
I eat raw vegetables daily, and had salads while still in the hospital. Mushrooms, cooked or raw, can cause partial obstructions for me, but I still eat them.
Also, careful with the Gatorade. It is not designed to be a hydration fluid for GI problems, but as a sports drink. There is too much sugar in it to drink a lot of it. A lot of sugar promotes diarrhea. G2 or no sugar types are OK. You can also dilute gegular Gatorade 50%.
Jan
It is definitely individual. This is what worked for me.
I avoided nuts 'n' fresh veggies the first six weeks after I received both of my ileostomies, just to play it safe. I had no blockages the nine months I had a temp ileostomy and have had only one minor blockage in the year I've had the permanent ileostomy, thanks to an orange I failed to chew well (bad me).
Nurses advised me after both surgeries to skip nuts and fresh veggies forever. I'm glad I ignored their advice!
Nurses advised me after both surgeries to skip nuts and fresh veggies forever. I'm glad I ignored their advice!
No fruits and vegetables for six weeks. Exceptions are bananas, applesauce, canned pears or peaches, mushy broccoli, mushy beets. Also no shellfish as that increases a blockage risk.
After six weeks, reintroduce everything slowly. I have no long-term restrictions but I've heard that mushrooms can be difficult.
Get 1.5g of protein for every kg of body weight for awhile after surgery to help healing.
At least, these have always been my instructions.
After six weeks, reintroduce everything slowly. I have no long-term restrictions but I've heard that mushrooms can be difficult.
Get 1.5g of protein for every kg of body weight for awhile after surgery to help healing.
At least, these have always been my instructions.
I even eat popcorn upon occasion now! Trial and error.
Gin
Gin