Adjusting to Solid Foods Post-Surgery: Tips and Experiences

Hi, I'm 18 days post-surgery, and I'm finding myself only wanting to have soups and liquids still. I cooked some mashed potatoes and added rice this time, so it's like double mush, and I'm planning to cook some fish tomorrow to try for the first time since my surgeon said it would be fine. I'm just wondering how all of you coped with adjusting your diet initially and moved past this worry about eating something that might feel like too much for your tummy? For now, I like mush, but I think eventually I'd like to be okay with eating non-mush. 🤭

Hi Mia, you are still early in the process, so I get only having soups and liquids. I happen to love mush, too! I've always thought of it as comfort food, even when I had a healthy colon. I'm ten years out with my ostomy and enjoy salad, chips, and nuts, and I can eat them fine, but I still steam my vegetables super soft. Softer foods, especially vegetables, just make more sense for me.

Aww yay another mush fan! I'm so happy for you being able to eat different types of food. Steaming veggies sounds like a great idea. 💛

It is still quite early. I was told to stick to soft foods for 4 weeks post-surgery. That may be a bit extreme, but it makes sense to take things slowly.

Try eggs and Greek yogurt. You need lots of protein to heal. Add more interesting foods back slowly. You will get there.

Hi Mia, mush-type foods are a good start, but healing needs protein. Fish is good, and chicken is also good, but what I craved after my surgeries was pasta with meat sauce. I also snacked on applesauce and yogurt.

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Thanks so much for these ideas, Susan. I've been eating eggs and am looking forward to having fish later today. I'll be sure to pick up some Greek yogurt soon too 💛

Hi Ron, that sounds yummy! I just received some pasta in the mail, so I'll be sure to try it with some meat sauce too when my tummy feels ready. 🍝

I was younger than some members when I had my ileostomy. I was 19 and had no fear of food. After surgery, a nurse was telling me what I could and couldn't eat. After she went, another nurse who had been listening walked over to me and said, 'Bollocks, eat whatever you want,' and told me she had had an ileostomy for years and ate everything that the nurse said I couldn't eat. Just eat anything you like, just in small amounts.

Aww, thank you so much, Ben. I feel like hearing this makes it easier to naturally go towards what's healthy for my body too. I really like the small amounts too! I tried some fish and a little dairy earlier; it feels okay so far. 🤗

You don't say whether you have a colostomy or an ileostomy. You are still healing, and there will still be swelling, but if you have a colostomy, your diet should get back to normal, without restrictions, after a few weeks. If you have an ileostomy, you will need to be more careful and try foods out slowly and in small amounts. Things like fruit and vegetable skins, nuts and seeds, or other fibrous foods could cause problems. Some ileos can eat anything, and others can't. One thing to remember is to chew foods really, really well and keep well hydrated. Experimentation to find out what you can and can't eat is key. It's worth it, because why would you want to deprive yourself of foods you love if you don't need to?

Terry

My ostomy nurse had me keep a food journal of everything I ate, and then I could see what caused a problem and what didn't. I could also see that I was getting my proper nutrition. For a while, I drank nutrition shakes to help with maintaining my nutrition and weight and everything. Mostly, it was keeping the food journal that helped. I could look back then and see what I'd tried and how it worked out for me.

This is a wonderful idea. Did you ever experience challenges digesting fish or dairy? I thought it would be fine, but I tried them both new yesterday, and my tummy hasn't released yet, and I have a little discomfort this morning. Nutrition shakes are a great idea; I'll pick some up soon! Thank you so much for your help! 👭

I don't eat a lot of fish, but when I have, I haven't had a problem with it. Dairy is fine for me too. I do drink oat milk rather than cow's milk, but I eat cheese and yogurt sometimes. No issues. Nutrition shakes help a lot, but you have to shop around for the best one for you. For example, Ensure went right through me, but Boost didn't. So I ended up using Boost. For a while, I used Boost High Protein. Then I switched to regular Boost because high protein is an issue for my kidneys. I have stage 3 CKD, and too much protein isn't good for kidneys. But if you don't have kidney issues, then high protein may be the thing for you. I hear Premier Protein has a lot of flavor choices that taste good. I know someone who gets caramel protein shakes and adds them to her coffee in the morning. She says it's as good as creamer, sometimes better.

Ahh yes, I picked up Premier Protein caramel & strawberry yesterday. I've had them before and also really enjoy the flavor. I almost got Boost too; I'll try it next and see how it feels. There's been a bit more output since last night, so hopefully today will be better. My tummy was a little sore, but I think maybe it was the whole milk from a chai I tried since I only had a few bites of fish. I'm wondering if maybe a few sips of Coke might help clear up whatever is processing slowly. Thank you for being so helpful; I appreciate you 💫

This is still very new for you. Take your time. My husband eats pretty much everything he ate before. Just remember to chew, chew, chew.

My husband was told by his surgeon to eat anything he wants, which the ostomy nurse said was the opposite. He decided to play it safe and has continued on a low-fiber diet. Now, he is going to have his ileostomy reversed, so we will see if they both will agree.

My husband drinks the chocolate version most days and caramel occasionally!

It's funny; I think maybe it's like when we can have anything, we're more likely to naturally eat the things that feel good and are good for us. I was curious about this too with the reversal surgery. I'm curious to hear what they say about food recommendations for around the reversal surgery! Fingers crossed this goes well 💫

Oh, and I'm adjusting more gradually too, food-wise. The surgeon said I could have pasta and stuff probably a week and a half ago, and I'm still on soups, potato-rice mash, fish, eggs, and protein shakes (I'm curious about the chocolate ones)! It feels better this way, and eventually, I'll add fruit/veggie protein shakes, etc.

You know your body best. Take it as slow as you want. Eventually, you will want more, and that's your sign to move a little out of your comfort zone. Trust yourself.

Thank you so much, Susan!

Baked potatoes (no skin) and pasta are easy to pass. I eat fish three or more times a week. Consider a deodorant in your pouch. Garlic and onion make it smell "ripe," too.

What's your favorite fish? I'm trying a few different kinds.

Don't drink carbonated soda unless you want gas!

Thank you

I agree. I've had an ileostomy since I was 11 (I'm 56) and am careful with high-fiber foods (skins, peas, corn, celery, pineapple, popcorn, kale, small seeds, etc.). I chew things well and have avoided blockages since my only one at 14.

Introduce things slowly, and follow your gut (pun intended) :)