Weight Loss Strategies with an Ileostomy and High Output

I have an ileostomy and need to lose weight, but I have issues with high output. Any suggestions?

You gotta be careful. I would seek out a dietitian versed in ostomy. We can offer you ideas that worked for some and not for others. Keeping track and planning will be your routine.

And you won't lose weight overnight. Saying you have high output is something to give pause to. If everything is coming out mostly liquid, you lose nutrition. Our biggest concerns are staying hydrated and getting nutrients to stay in us longer, to stay and be healthy.

There are kidney issues too. If you become dehydrated constantly, you can develop severe kidney issues. This topic is being addressed now: dialysis.

How do you maintain good nutrition and stay hydrated? Especially when you're peeing liquids out of a stoma?

Eating the right bulking foods and drinking the right fluids could help you, but it will take time.

Others will advise. Sit tight.

You need medical advice before going on a diet with high output. They need to look at all the meds and supplements you're taking to help slow your output down, as they should be helping you put on weight, so they may need reducing or changing.

I see a dietitian for weight management and output issues. I suggest you look into getting a referral from your ostomy doctor and they will put you on the right track to someone who can help you with these issues. My dietitian is having me work on protein to bulk up output. It seems to be working somewhat. If you find other things don't work you might want to look at that. Otherwise foods like bread, peanut butter, and marshmallows may help you with output issues. Aside from protein I mean. You can lose weight and address your ostomy issues but it will take some experimenting and some time. A good dietitian can help you with both issues.

I totally get the struggle of trying to lose weight with an ileostomy, especially with high output. What helped me was focusing on foods that are low in fiber but packed with protein, like eggs and yogurt, which kept me feeling full. Staying hydrated is key, so I always have a water bottle handy. I found that adding things like bananas or applesauce helped thicken my output, too. If you can, chatting with a dietitian who understands ostomies can be a game changer—they can really help tailor a plan that works for you.
 
 

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