An ostomy represents a major lifestyle adjustment, but patients can adapt and generally return to their normal diet with adequate time and proper management. People with an ostomy have a shorter digestive tract, which increases their risk for uncomfortable complications, malnutrition and dehydration. Some simple diet considerations minimize these risks and promote a healthy lifestyle.
Ostomy Overview
Food normally travels through the tube-like digestive system from the mouth to the rectum, but sometimes surgeons reroute this path during surgery. A surgeon creates an ostomy by disconnecting the intestine from the rectum and connecting it to a hole in the abdomen. This redirects the intestines and changes how the body expels waste. The intestines absorb nutrients from food and liquid as they pass toward the ostomy. The undigested food and liquid passes into a plastic pouch covering the hole in the abdomen.
Immediate Postoperative Diet
A patient typically fasts before an ostomy creation procedure. The ostomy patient progresses after surgery by drinking clear liquids and working up to eating solid food over the course of a few days. Patient comfort dictates how quickly patients progress from liquids to solids. Hospital staff monitor the the patient for nausea and flatulence, a sign of normal intestinal function.
General Diet Consideration
When a patient goes home with an ostomy, a wide variety of unpleasant difficulties can occur. The patient can manage most difficulties with proper dietary management. Simply chewing food well minimizes the potential for food causing a mechanical obstruction. Small, frequent meals reduce the chance of excessive and uncomfortable gas. Typical medical guidance suggests that the patient introduce foods to the diet one at a time in order to identify food that causes adverse reactions. A person with an ostomy has less length of intestine to absorb fluid and nutrients, which increases the risk for malnutrition and dehydration. The ostomy patient can minimize these risks by eating a well-balanced diet that includes all major food groups and drinking extra fluids.
Diet Troubleshooting
Specific foods and habits may cause specific adverse reactions in patients with an ostomy. Gulping beverages and chewing gum causes gas. A patient can experiment with the following foods to determine their effects. Some foods, such as beans, cabbage and nuts yield gassier waste. Asparagus, broccoli, eggs, fish and garlic produce stronger odors. Fibrous food such as bran cereals, leafy vegetables, milk and raw vegetables increase the chance for diarrhea. Nuts, seeds and many some raw fruits can cause constipation.
What To Ask Your Doctor
Sometimes surgery on specific parts of the intestine changes the way the body absorbs fluid, electrolytes and nutrients. Some ostomy patients require special vitamins or supplements to maintain balanced nutrition. Ask your doctor if your ostomy will change the way your body absorbs essential nutrients and if you need special dietary modifications to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
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