Food for Osto newbies

Hey guys,

I've just finished up on my low fibre post surgery diet. It now means I can introduce new food & see how I get on. Are there any foods that are an absolute no no. That usually cause blockages etc? I've heard popcorn is a no. Does this mean sweet corn is too? I'm so scared of eating anything new incase it blocks it, however I love food & don't want to stay on the low fibre diet for ever. The sheet they gave me leaving hospital just highlighted yes & nos for the low fibre. They haven't given me any guidance for after that.

Thanks,

X 

Hello Kayla

You wont want to hear this at this point in time but yes everyone is different, I havent tried popcorn because I'm not interested but eat corn on the cob and anything else I desire. High fibre, apples, mangos, oranges etc slow down my process greatly but nothing causes blockages for me. I just dont eat high fibre late in the day.

You have left hospital with the standard do's and dont's, but after that, there is no list as there isn't one.

Its still early days for you so just go slow, bit of this bit of that, dont be in a hurry. Dont be afraid of enjoying the things you like, you will find your way just like everybody else.

Take care.

Hi Kayla i cant eat oranges i just chew on them and spit it out but i get a can of mandarin oranges and they work for me, i also avoid mushrooms, pineapple, raw carrots and most other raw veggies, at the movies i cant resist the popcorn but i,ll have a small handful and thats it. chew chew chew and maybe you wount have any problems.  good luck 

Hi Kayla,

  Really depends on what you've got left (in terms of small bowel), and if you still have active disease (assuming you had Crohn's, diverticulitis,UC or other GI disease).  Hard to digest things (high fiber) will always be a challenge....things like corn, fruit skins, celery, popcorn.......anything that comes out undigested.  And as mentioned it's different for everyone.  Processed sugar is emerging into the mainstream medical thinking as an inflammatory to the gut, although it never bothered me.  As you've heard a zillion times on here.....chew, chew, chew.  You need to replace the function of breaking down food that your bowels (that you no longer have or are not connected to) used to do.  Common sense is key here.  As is trial and error.  This why I like wearing a clear ostomy bag.....so I can see what's coming out undigested, partially digested and fully digested.  Hope that helps at least a little.

regards,

bo

Ive had mine for over six years.  Yes, starting carefully is "best policy" and study your digestive outcome.  I now pretty much eat anything, steak once a month and spicy food aswell.  Red wine (cabernet savigion) ALWAYS flushes me out when I know my output is less than intake.  Just saying Just me, however, follow your Dr.s advice and study your food processing.  Good Luck & Cheer Up cuz you'll get use to it.  ; )

ps. Drink Lot's of water, Pom Wonderful is Wonderful! and Hot Tea....

Kayla,

  All good advice.  You can eventually introduce all the foods you love, but do so in moderation and as Bob said, chew, chew chew.  Below is a chart that shows what foods do what to your system.

Ostomy food chart

  This is just a reference as each persons body is different.  Your system will adjust slowly so if you plan on eating one of the danger foods like peanuts, chew them very well and start off with just a handful.  Try to eat them with a safe food too.  I basically avoid corn but as long as I eat it with something safe and chew, I usually don't have an issue.  Hope this helps.

Bain

Hi Kayla,

take it slow, chew everything well, that sound mad, I eat most things, there's foods like popcorn, marshmallow, mushrooms, corn, that will slow the stoma down, nuts and seeds are not good for me, slows my stoma down to much, sometimes get stoma cramps, Ribena is brill when I have wind or the bags to thick, as it passes through quickly. as time goes on, your know your body better and what you can manage.

Kaya , Corn is the worst but any vegetable unless cooked well is not good  for most .

If you try pop corn get the kernal less , I have never had a problem . Don't ever over do it

as i have had blockage from corn and it is very painful  . You just need to start slow with all 

foods at first . You also need to know that the foods you eat will create stronger smells and 

give you gas which can blow up your bag as you sleep. I hope this helps you and any questions 

you have I will gladly help you . I have had my ostomy since 1984 so I know many things.

Hello Kaylakaykes,

You have some great replies and I cannot think of much to add to this, other than to suggest that if you want to browse through a multitude of similar responses, you might try  the section on:

'Collections - premium content - food and diet for ostomies'  at the top of the page .

Best wishes

Bill

Those foods to avoid list should be thrown in the bin where they belong!!! They cause more harm than good putting a fear of food into people who need help and support to encourage them to live life to the full...I've had a ostomy over 30 years advice I had from nurse leaving hospital was bollocks eat & drink whatever you want best advice I ever had!........Just trial and error try everything in small portions and see how it goes and if you think something has caused a problem give at least another 2 goes in the future, yes some people can't eat certain foods for me it's pinapple but you and others could be able to eat it without any problems, never be put of from trying something just because you have read about someone else had a problem eating it, adehsions take a lot of the blame for blockages hence why I say always try the same food another time as you could eat an apple including the skin today without any problems eat the same tomorrow and have a blockage 

+1 on the Adhesions

A woman I know has adhesions and they cause her blockage problems a couple of times per year.

Hi Kayla,

 I have a colostomy, and I can eat popcorn without it causing a blockage, but I find that I have to watch the amount of high fibre food (popcorn included) I ingest or I will have a lot more output. I can balance that somewhat by taking Imodium (Loperamide) every day - you'll want to discuss that option with your doctor before trying it. Beer also increases my output, but wine doesn't seem to. The advice you've already heard about this - to chew thoroughly and try small portions of different foods - is excellent advice. Sweet corn has never given me any problems at all. Good luck.

Corn (canned or cob) has never given me problems, but popcorn and seeds do. As always, the advice above is great - start slow, add in foods a little at a time, give everything you try at least twice to see how it works. And give it time - it probably took close to 6 months to get back to a more or less regular healthy diet. Good luck, and don't be afraid of food (also excellent advice).

Hi Kayla, 

Congrads on reaching this milestone.  I too have recently been taken off my post-op diet (surgery March 5).  On the 6 week anniversary I had the thickest steak I could find.  It's been nearly a month now and I've had no real problems.  The biggest problem is to remember to chew thoroughly.  I had three dieticians who gave different advice.  I have just went back to what has got me through life so far.  Practice moderation.  A little bit of popcorn here and there, various types of meats and seafood etc. Seafood has a huge effect on the odor from the pouch.  Pay particular attention to that if you go to dinner and will be away from the house.  The odor will fill the restroom that you'll be emptying in.  I've been using odor reducing products for the bag prior to leaving the house.  It seems to help.   You'll also be able to tell from your discharge the foods that may cause you problems.  I was always a fan of spicy food.  With UC for the last 15 yrs, that has been missing from my diet.  I had some nice salsa on a burrito last night with no problems.  With all this talk about the "New Normal" regarding COVID 19 I laugh.  Talk to someone who has gone through what we on this site have if you want to understand "New Normal".  This site has been a huge help to me during the pre and post op processes.  Just about any question you have, there will be an answer here.  Stay Healthy!

SharkFan