Eating after surgery?

[vonfunk]

Okay, so I plan on stocking up for the post surgery time. So how long after the ostomy before you started eating normally (or the new normal I should say).

What did you eat for the first month or so? I'm 3 months from surgery, but figured I should start the prep now.

 

[Terriernut]

You are an eating machine...in your own mind!

As this isnt your first surgery, you know the drill! You are just looking forward to steak and lobster arent you?

After about 3 months you should be able to eat anything you damn well please. Just clear the house before you empty your bag! But I ate mexican food within 4 weeks of surgery if that tells you anything. I had surgery on the night of the 22nd of December and ate a horrific xmas turkey dinner on the the 25th of December. But I was damn glad to have it! You can eat as soon as your bowels start working again after surgery, but soft foods first!

Good luck, and keep us informed as to what you get up to in the eating dept!
Misty

 

[vonfunk]

It is my first surgery.

No clue what I'm getting into.

 

[Zalanicht]

Can't give ya advice for an Ostomy but for any bowel surgery at the start of the recovery it could be the same. I mucked a lot of porridge and it's easy to make.

 

[Terriernut]

Oh....It was my first surgery on the 22nd of Dec too! I hadnt a CLUE what I was in for either!

Right. Some people get nauseous from the drugs for pain. But I didnt, so I ate! Baked potatoes, jello, soup, all soft foods for the first couple days after your bowels start working. They wont let you eat anything but liquid until your system kicks in. Porridge for breakfast, etc.

Then, after you feel a bit better, couple days to a week...eat at will!! But I warn you, some foods will NOT agree with your 'new body'. As you will still no doubt have alot of drugs in your system, and antibiotics as well, you will have the big D most likely. You will want to eat foods that slow down the big D. Rice, bread, bananas. After all the crap (pardon the pun) is out of your system, eat at will. Just know that you will pay for bad behaviour still. But in a different way. A GLORIOUS WAY...as you will not have to make a 100 yard dash in 2 seconds anymore! You will have to cover your stoma as it makes itself heard...grin...and go to the toilet when you bloody well feel like it to empty!! Whooo hooo!!! Freedom!
Misty

 

[ameslouise]

VF - I forget, are you getting a jpouch?

Mine was so long ago I can't quite remember how long it was until I was eating "normal" food. But I think I did the standard lo-res for at least a month, if not longer. After a few months time I was eating salads and everything else in site.

Note - mushrooms do not digest - no matter how well you chew them!!

- Ames

 

[vonfunk]

I might get a jpouch down the line. But this just this the one where they yank the colon. I'm holding off the second surgery for at least a year, for various reasons.

 

[ameslouise]

Ahhhh, gotcha. So you'll have a temp bag for a while? I had mine for a year.

Same as above on the food with my temp bag - lo res for a while, then added other stuff. It was fun eating salad with my stoma and seeing stuff come out. Reminded me I needed to chew better!!!

 

[Nyx]

I was in the hospital for 24 days, but I had my finance bring me burgers when I was still in there...about after 2 weeks. OMG...they were sooo good! And I've never looked back. Nothing seems to bother me anymore...it's great!

 

[vonfunk]

I haven't decided if I'll have the reversal. The way and how fast my disease progressed, I figured I'd give it at least a year. I may decide to keep the bag.

 

[Welsh-bird]

Hi Vonfunk- my Ileo's now 9 days old, and last night I decided as a homecoming treat to have a take away and glass of red, also due to the number of people who descended on my house to say 'Hi'. What a mistake!! Think it was mighty p'd off, because the output increased rapidly and I spent most of the night back and forth to the loo. Back to soft foods for me for the next few days at least.
All I can assume is, much like IBD it's all down to the individual. Wishing you all the best.

 

[DanM]

Marshmallows... According to an ostomy nurse at the hospital, marshmallows are good at thickening things up. I have found cream of vegetable soups to be particularly good when the stomach is upset or I just need something bland.

Dan