Vitamins and Weight Gain Challenges with an Ileostomy

Hello fellow ostomates! I have been following for a year and a half. This site is the best thing I have found in my new “normal.” I have tried taking my multivitamin; it makes my stool jet black! Does anyone on here have that problem? I have not been able to gain my weight back, and my appetite is not good most of the time. I had emergency surgery in April 2023; this site has been a lifesaver! Good to know I am not alone!! I have an ileostomy and have learned a lot about how to manage leaks and foods to eat. I just can't seem to gain weight. I weighed about 112 lbs (I am petite), and I do the protein shakes and try to make myself eat. I thought the fact that I don't take my vitamins as much is due to the stool being black every time! Does anyone on here have that issue? My daughter said maybe liquid vitamins? Thank you guys for all the good info on here 👍🏻

Is there iron in your vitamins? That is known to cause black stools. If your hemoglobin is good, you could try a vitamin without iron if it bothers you.

Personally, I wouldn't care if I knew why.

To put on a little weight, ice cream, pie, or another sweet you desire. That should add some calories.

Have you tried adding ground flaxseed to food? It's a good source of vitamins.

Vitamins will turn your stool black. Nothing to worry about. Try eating more along with the protein shakes. You might want to up your carbs too. Glad you're enjoying the site.

Avoiding Ostomy Bag Leaking | Managing Ostomy Leaks with LeeAnne Hayden

Multivitamin, undetectable in me.

Iron, black as night 🤪

In order to gain weight, you must take in more calories than you let out. The issue with some (ileostomates mainly) is you poop too fast. 😁 You eat, it goes through you, and you expel it before it has a chance to absorb the calories/nutrients. Add in exercising, normal life moving around, etc., and gaining weight will be nearly impossible. As long as you're healthy, your numbers are good, why worry about trying to gain weight? But if you do want to, you're gonna have to take in a lot more calories, plain and simple.

Gummy bears! Several times a day. The lost weight found me...

I lose weight very easily, and it's hard to put it back on. As I learned from others here, add calories anywhere you can: butter, bread, nutritional or protein drinks, ice cream, powdered milk in eggs, cheese, anything you can tolerate.

I had to force myself for a couple of weeks, and then my appetite improved. I have been able to put on 5 pounds and have more energy. Also, keep moving, even if it's simple.

Thank all who responded. I will definitely try to add more calories! 👍

I'm so glad to have found this post. I'm 6 weeks post-op. I had emergency surgery and a surprise ileostomy due to severe diverticulitis. I have home nursing care for a large open abdominal wound. I weighed 140 lbs in January and now weigh 105. My doctors and nurse tell me this is typical and not to worry. I track my protein and calories and try to eat several small meals a day. I hope to be able to regain at least 20 pounds. It's reassuring to know that others are dealing with the same issue and willing to share their stories. I'm so glad to have found this site. Thank you all for being so helpful and open.

I don't notice this myself. Iron will turn poo black. Too much iron is not a good idea. I would only take an iron supplement for a short while and only if prescribed. If this is not the case, then maybe change your brand or try an oral spray.

I agree with Susan T. Unless you require iron, take one without. My husband takes a gummy multivitamin and has no issues. His doctor also started him on monthly B12 shots.

I found certain vitamins turn my poop black (Centrum?), even before I got sick. Usually, the iron content. I take Vitafusion gummies twice a day. No colon, so the vitamins usually end up in my pouch. Gummies and chewables absorb faster.

Hi NikkiD. I think you are my twin. Your journey started as mine: emergency exploratory surgery that ended with an ileostomy. I just had my 1-year stomaversary in April. I too was around 140 pounds and went down to 128 while in the hospital. The doctors were concerned about malnutrition, but once I got home and started feeling better and eating better, I am back up to 140 lbs and doing great! I also was born and raised in Ohio. At age 63, I packed up, sold my house, and moved to Virginia to be with my sister after her husband passed. Good luck on your journey; it does get better! Take care!

I had ileostomy surgery about 16 months ago and have also been struggling with weight gain. It is happening, but it's very slow. I have been working with a dietitian to increase calories as well as to increase protein. I also take Lomotil, one pill before the evening meal and one after.

I try to start the day with rice pudding, which I make with protein powder, mixed in with rice, eggs, milk, and vanilla before baking. I also try to snack between meals, using nuts or high-fat cheese.

I've also expanded my diet to include more fresh fruits and vegetables, which I favor. And because my energy has returned, I am physically much more active, and these factors probably work against weight gain. However, it's happening, though slowly. I was told by my G.I. that this is OK as long as I feel well.

Good luck

Thank you so much for your note. It is nice to know someone who has gone through the same thing. We sure do have similar journeys. I am feeling better and getting stronger each day. I lost 20 pounds pre-surgery due to the diverticulitis and the rest during my five-week hospital stay and rehab. I weighed less than 100 lbs when I came home, and I am very slowly gaining weight. I hope to reach 125 pounds. I'm glad you are doing well. Take care and thanks again.

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When you tap on the ?, it tells you who liked the post.