Chili Aftermath: Digestive Adventures

First time I've had real discomfort after eating something. I made Wendy's style chili yesterday, and it was yummy! However, the beans are either working on being good for my heart (iykyk) or the beans are not digesting all the way and taking their sweet time coming through.

I went to the gym and worked out to help "push" things along. I also got a Coke Zero to see if that will aid in the burping process. 🤣

I've had a lot of output, so no worries about a blockage, but boy oh boy. It was delicious, though, so there's that.

Beans can be hard to digest, causing gas buildup and issues with an ostomy. The skins on beans can be an issue. If you are having a lot of output, and it's the normal color and consistency, you probably don't have a blockage. But you might have gas buildup in your tummy. Try taking a gas med like Beano or something. If it's giving you heartburn, try a Tums. Just remember to go slow with foods like that. Try a little, and if that goes well, try a little more. Don't just go down a gallon of chili and expect things to be fine. Going to the gym is a good thing, but do so with a bit of caution if you aren't feeling up to par. Be careful also with fizzy drinks. They may help with the burping process, or they may cause more gas buildup. Either way, your stoma will get rid of the gas it doesn't want eventually. LOL

Yeah, I don't normally eat kidney beans, but I only had one can of pinto beans for the chili. I think pinto beans are softer and easier to digest.

I think I've had my fill of it for a while. Hahaha

Your message is perfectly timed…I was craving chili, so it's in the crockpot. “Easy does it” will be my motto!

🤪 A few sips of Coke were on my list, too. I haven't had any soda since my ostomy.

Hope you feel better! A gentle clockwise massage of your abdomen may help move the gas along…

Sometimes... we just gotta have it. Consequences be damned.

I love Wendy's style chili too. And refried beans, pickles, popcorn, strawberries, corn, blueberries, and pomegranate.

Today we throw caution to the wind... tomorrow we pay the price. VIVA the wind....

My Ostomy Journey: LeeAnne | Hollister

I will add, the Coke Zero has done its job. A few good burps and all is well.

Tonight's dinner will be chicken orzo, much lighter. My insides will thank me!

Yes, to all the above foods! I even had popcorn at the theater, and it was okay. I did not eat the whole bucket; I shared it with my granddaughter, but it was yummy!

It's finally winter weather here, so chili was definitely on my mind and taste buds.

Enjoy!

Enjoy the chili; it'll all work its way out in the end. It's a good way to do like a “colon” cleanse (yes, I know a lot of people don't have their colon; it's a phrase). You eat stuff, it kind of stops your output, and then the dam breaks, and the relief is instant, and you're completely empty. I wonder if Wendy's is open today. 🤔😋

Damn you, shamrock. 

Sometimes we gotta do what we gotta do. I know I have eaten and drunk things I probably shouldn't and have paid dearly for it. Oh, well!

Ha ha. Had your fill for a while. At least you enjoyed it.

All that just means a quicker cleanse of the digestive tract. None of us would probably eat at any restaurant if we saw what went on.

I one time munched an entire medium-sized popcorn bucket at the movies. I had ordered a small, no butter. The earnest young lady working the concession counter said, "For only 50 cents more, I could get a medium." My reptilian brain automatically said, "OK!"

I rationalized it. I'll eat half tonight, half tomorrow. By the middle of the movie... my hand hit bag bottom. Nothing but crumbs left. I thought... OOPS!

After 2+ days with nothing coming out of Mr. Stoma, I was concerned. My stoma swelled up like a mushroom. I had no pain. Then later, while watching TV, I heard/felt a soft pop. I looked at the bag. A huge pancake covering nearly half the bag greeted me. Mr. Stoma soon regained his normal form, and I breathed a sigh of relief. There have to be easier ways to save 50 cents.

Well..........Grasshopper.......you have two options as I see it. Put the chili in the blender and give it a good puree first............or make/buy beanless chili! It's the taste you're after, after all, not the texture. Of course, there's that third option that involves the Emergency Room, lots of pain, and feeling stupid about what you did that got you there.........but let's ignore that one for now. 😉

;O)

We're showing our age with "Grasshopper" because I know it well. I still say it to my grandkids, and they look at me like I'm crazy.🤣

I thought about beanless chili, and maybe I will next time because yes, after the taste more than anything. I've had my fill for now, though. Ha

Hi Nini, we had pea soup with the leftover Xmas ham yesterday, and I felt like a blimp with legs, and up twice during the night to burp my bag, but it was worth it. Also, beans shouldn't be coming out whole like mentioned if they're chewed and chewed some more.

Ron is absolutely right about that. They shouldn't come out as whole beans. Chew the crap out of them, and they'll come out as well-chewed beans since they're almost entirely insoluble fiber and won't get digested no way, no how. Who said being an ostomate isn't fun!

😜

I always take a "Beano melt away" right before eating beans and another right after, along with "mushy" chewing — if I can feel anything solid, then I have not chewed well enough. 😉 Works well for me.

@Shamrock, you can direct users to your post on your annotated "Wellness Guide" by having them search for "Essential Ileostomy Tips for Beginners" — quotes must be included in the search string. They can then scroll down to the "Wellness Guide."

This way, if you discover errors or find some of your annotations are erroneous, you can edit that post.

I make my chili with navy beans or pork 'n' beans. I have never had a problem with my ileostomy. Of course, I don't eat a huge bowl either.

I occasionally have difficulty with gas building up and causing terrible gas cramps. Gas-X doesn't help because it can't get to where the problem is! I have found that lying on my right side for about 20 minutes, followed by lying on my back for 20 minutes (and repeating if needed), helps move the gas along. I usually have a bag full of gas with a little solid output after I'm done and feeling better!

And it's not always from beans, either. I can't always predict what sets it off.

I am a Texan, so beans make it a savory meat sauce, not chili. It takes some experimentation to know what combinations and amounts just stop the show. More than a handful of peanuts for me, and boom, blockage. Green peppers and corn in the same meal, blockage. Just be aware of what and in what amounts you consume. Sometimes it just takes experience and experimentation.

I was really struggling with gas in my bag no matter what I ate, and my GI told me about Atrantil - a plant-based pill developed by a GI for intestinal issues like gas and bloating. It took a couple of months to really notice the difference, but now I take 2 with every meal and I don't ever have a bag that's about to explode.

You can get it from the company online. I also had my herb/supplement store start ordering it for me, so I can get it locally. Check it out.

Was your GI the GI that invented the stuff? 😁 Good side business. 🤔

I have never heard of this but intend to give it a try.

I always (usually) take Beano when eating a bean-heavy dish. It does help. Each of us is slightly different, so it takes some time to narrow things down.

I remember that the first time I was allowed to eat something after I'd had my ileostomy surgery, they gave me ham and pea soup! Oh, the pain!! And the gas....
When my surgeon found out, I heard him yelling at the nurses all the way from the other end of the hospital ward; he was so angry....

I used to love ham and pea soup, especially if my late dad made his Dutch pea soup from scratch!! But I won't go anywhere near it now!