Eating Solids After Colostomy Reversal - When Is It Safe?

Had my colostomy reversal about a week ago and was wondering if it's okay to eat solid foods or how long I should wait.

Best answered by your surgeon.

Best to ask your doctor. Can't imagine you didn't receive instructions when leaving the hospital.

When I left the hospital after the reversal, they told me to eat small meals regularly and avoid spicy foods for a week or two, then return to a normal diet as I tolerated it.

There's your answer. You have carte blanche.👍🏼

My Ostomy Journey: Ryan | Hollister

I would probably extend being careful with diet and avoiding crowds for a little longer, maybe 4 weeks. You're still healing for quite a while. Taking it easy for a month or two won't hurt. And that includes sneezing and coughing. It's easy to develop an incisional hernia. If possible, hold a pillow firmly against your stomach during a cough or sneeze.

My best advice: NEVER experiment with new foods outside your home as you are introducing foods back in.

Things I ate with my osteomyelitis became issues after my reversal and had me running for the toilet or outranking my dog for the stinkiest farts of the day award.

Then foods I thought would be an issue weren't - kale, black beans, pickled cauliflower…

But now I am basically allergic to nuts, and I have a post-reversal friend who says if he even looks at a bean, he'll poop his pants.

Oh, and NEVER trust a fart. They turn into sharts quicker than “they're eating the dogs” memes hit after the debate.

Reminds me of a silly thing right after surgery. I'm at home and felt the urge to let out some gas. So I did... not. I forgot, but no longer connected to the colon. I passed... mucus. Yikes, what a mess. Now, whenever I feel any urges, I mumble: "Butt not connected." To remind myself.