This topic is about managing a colostomy that behaves more like an ileostomy due to a short length of colon remaining after surgery. The person is experiencing frequent and watery output, especially in the mornings, which affects their daily activities and appointments. Here are some helpful tips and insights shared by others in similar situations:

- Keep a detailed food diary to track what you eat and how it affects your output.
- Consider changing your meal times, such as having your main meal at lunch instead of dinner.
- Take two loperamide tablets about 30 minutes before each meal to help slow down the output.
- Be mindful of your milk intake, as it might increase output. Some people find that milk, orange juice, and beer can make the output more frequent or watery.
- Foods like pasta, potatoes, crackers, pretzels, and marshmallows might help thicken the output. Introduce these foods slowly and in small amounts, and make sure to chew them well.
- If you need to increase your loperamide dose, do so under medical guidance.
- Try having a lighter evening meal to reduce the volume of output the next morning.
- For important morning or midday appointments, consider having liquid nutrition the day before to maintain blood sugar without increasing output.
- Inform your clinic about your stoma-related needs and request flexibility or accommodations for your appointments.
- Remember that it can take time for your body to adjust, and output may improve as your small bowel adapts and absorption increases.