This topic is about a person who is 57 years old and has been dealing with an eating disorder for many years. They recently had surgery to create a stoma, known as an ileostomy, about four and a half weeks ago. They hoped this surgery would help them overcome their eating disorder, but they are still struggling with it and feeling scared. They are worried they might have damaged their stoma and are now setting alarms to empty their pouch during the night and several times each morning. They are reaching out to see if others have experienced similar issues.

Here are some helpful insights and advice:

1. It's common for people with an ileostomy to need to empty their pouch at night. The frequency can vary, with many needing to do so 1 to 3 times a night. This doesn't necessarily mean the stoma is damaged.

2. Try to track how long it takes between eating and needing to empty the pouch. Adjusting meal times, such as finishing main meals by 4 to 6 p.m., might help reduce overnight output and improve sleep.

3. Some people find that they can rely on their body's natural rhythm instead of setting alarms. Once you understand your patterns, you might not need alarms anymore.

4. If you're looking for support from others with similar experiences, it might help to specify the type of eating disorder, as different disorders come with different challenges.

5. Be cautious about purging (vomiting) after surgery, as it can lead to dehydration and increase the risk of a parastomal hernia. People with an ileostomy can become dehydrated more quickly than those without one.

6. Drinking a lot of fluids, especially in the evening, can increase the need to empty the pouch at night. Adjusting when you drink fluids might help manage this.

7. Even if the main eating disorder has improved, food rituals might still persist. Recognizing these can help in managing your overall nutrition.

8. If the eating disorder involves severe restriction or purging, it's important to seek professional help in addition to managing the ostomy.