After a colostomy surgery, patients may need to follow a diet that avoids certain foods to prevent digestion problems. A liquid diet is recommended at first, followed by soft, easily digestible foods. Foods to avoid include high-fiber, high-fat, and hard-to-digest foods. Eating smaller, more frequent meals and chewing food well can also help.
Many people who have had a surgical procedure called a colostomy find that their digestive systems are more sensitive to certain foods. There is no clinical colostomy diet that all patients should follow, but it can be helpful in determining which foods cause digestion problems. Following a colostomy diet that avoids or restricts consumption of these foods can help reduce symptoms and make colostomy care easier.
A colostomy is a surgical procedure in which the end of the colon is separated from the digestive system and reattached to the abdominal wall. A surgical opening called a stoma is created in the abdominal wall so that the colon is fed directly to the skin surface. Food eaten passes through the stomach and small intestine as normal, but bypasses the large intestine, including the colon, by feeding directly into the surgical opening. The stoma is equipped with a bag that collects digestive waste and must be emptied several times a day. This procedure is performed when a section of the colon must be removed due to injury or disease, preventing normal digestion of food beyond this point.
After this surgery, a colostomy diet is often liquid for several days. A liquid diet is easy to digest and gives the surgical site time to heal before it can cope with the physical stress of digestion. Clear liquids such as juices and broths are eaten at this time. Once the colon has begun to heal, soft, easily digestible foods can be eaten.
Eventually, most people can return to a relatively normal diet. It is usually necessary to restrict certain foods that can make digestion difficult or make it difficult to manage the colostomy. For example, certain foods can cause excess gas. This can be physically uncomfortable and can cause the colostomy bag to inflate, which can make it difficult to empty. Other foods can cause diarrhea or constipation, and some can block the stoma.
Several types of foods, or parts of some foods, should be avoided in a colostomy diet to prevent such problems. Foods to avoid include raw vegetables, fruit and vegetable skins and seeds, dried fruits, high-fiber foods, whole grains, legumes, popcorn and corn, brown rice, seeds, nuts, and high-fat foods, including meats, dairy products, and baked goods Low-fat versions of these foods are generally safe to eat. Certain foods can help make your colostomy more manageable by reducing odors or making your stool thicker. These foods include cranberry juice, bananas, applesauce, live culture yogurt, tapioca, toasted white bread, and soft cooked white rice.
A colostomy diet often changes how and when food is eaten, as well as what types of food are eaten. To promote regular digestion, it is helpful to eat smaller, more frequent meals. Eating most of your calories during the day and eating only a small meal at night will reduce stool output overnight. Finally, chewing your food very well, almost until it becomes liquid, will help reduce the risk of blockage of the stoma.
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