Emptying

[Kela80]

Hi all

I had a subtotal colectomy approx 4 weeks ago and ended up with an ileostomy. I'm coping ok apart from the fact I need to empty it 10-15 times a day. I lost about 12 kg and was down to 61.5kg (I'm 6'2) and after 12 days I'm 66kg. I'm not sure if it's outputting so much because I'm eating a lot and drinking 3-4 liters a day. Any insights would be much appreciated

Also does probiotics help with reducing gas?

 

[robbo87]

to me 3-4 litres seems a lot to drink with an ileostomy, I'd imagine different people will have different opinions, but i was told when i came out of hosp with my ileostomy to not drink much more than a litre in fluid. My understanding is that it is the colon that absorbs the majority of what you drink so as you now have an ileostomy a lot of it may be going straight through so to speak.

I'd suggest reducing the amount that you are drinking, and when you do drink make sure you drink with a few biscuits or something so that will help soak it up a bit maybe and thicken/slow your output, but to make sure you stay hydrated also try rehydration sachets like diorylyte or hydrating sports drinks if you feel you becoming dehydrated.

the stoma nurses gave me the impression that the more i drink the more output ill have, and the harder it will actually be to absorb the fluid as it will just all be too much to for the bowel to handle.

 

[Terriernut]

Welcome! Since you have an ileostomy, your output will always be a bit runnier. But I will say, yes it's possible you are drinking and eating too much. Take it easy! Try drinking Powerade or Gatorade, one a day, to keep your electrolytes balanced as well.

The first few months after surgery, your output will be a bit higher. Your body needs to adjust. 10-15 times a day though is pretty high. I would give your stoma nurse a call and let her know how high your output is as well. She could suggest some immodium occasionaly or something else that will help you slow it down.

Its also not unusual to be gassy. Nor is it unusual for 'baby' stomas to be very talkative!

Can you give us a guide to what you are eating to see if we can help further?

 

[Kela80]

I was told by my doctors to drink at least 2.5l per day and consume extra salt, the reason being the colon absorbs salt and water and as it has been removed I need to have extra. Having the fluids will prevent dehydration.

The post operative doctor also told me to weight myself every morning. He said 1L of fluid weighs approx 1kg. If your losing weight you need to drink more. I have been having 2-3 gatorades a day. Now I've moved onto a powdered product called aqua force recommended by my dietician.


Typical days food intake. Porridge with banana, 4 pieces toast , 2 resource protein drinks ( ensure), biscuits, cheese, pretzels as snacks during the day, 2 sandwhiches for lunch, watermelon or Rock melon, dinner- protein or fish with mashed potatoes, pumpkin or carrot steamed, cucumber or tomato for salad. For supper I have 2-3 pieces of toast or glass of hot milk with sweet biscuits.

 

[Kela80]

I forgot to mention I take 6 immodium a day at present.

 

[Terriernut]

I wish couldve eaten that much 4 weeks on from surgery! You might want to cut back a wee bit on the salad perhaps, and increase your banana intake. Rice is a good thickener as well.

You really can expect your output to slow down in the coming months. The reason Martin was suggesting cutting back on water is that sometimes it can increase your watery output. On the other hand dehydration increases watery output!

 

[robbo87]

I was told by my doctors to drink at least 2.5l per day and consume extra salt, the reason being the colon absorbs salt and water and as it has been removed I need to have extra. Having the fluids will prevent dehydration.

The post operative doctor also told me to weight myself every morning. He said 1L of fluid weighs approx 1kg. If your losing weight you need to drink more. I have been having 2-3 gatorades a day. Now I've moved onto a powdered product called aqua force recommended by my dietician.


Typical days food intake. Porridge with banana, 4 pieces toast , 2 resource protein drinks ( ensure), biscuits, cheese, pretzels as snacks during the day, 2 sandwhiches for lunch, watermelon or Rock melon, dinner- protein or fish with mashed potatoes, pumpkin or carrot steamed, cucumber or tomato for salad. For supper I have 2-3 pieces of toast or glass of hot milk with sweet biscuits.

Pretty much contradicts everything my nurses and doctors told me but like I said i guess everyone will have a different opinion. In my experience (albeit a short one) things like carrots cucumber and tomato don't go down to well but things like banana's, mash and rice are great at helping thicken things up. Hot drinks and a high sugar intake also give me a higher watery output. I'd personally speak to your nurse and dietician and see what they say and maybe look at going to a more basic diet for now and slowly introducing new things like the salad and watermelon etc. If you get something similar to dioralyte which is a powder that contains all the electrolytes your body needs they really do stop you getting dehydrated and mean you don't have to overcompensate by drinking a high amount of fluids.

 

[hopeful]

I drink 4 - 5 liters a day. The water gets absorbed very fast, and very high up. The fluid excreted by the intestines does not get absorbed - that is what comes out in the bag. Some foods are great thickeners, sweet potato, butternut squash, rice. Sweet fuids draw out lots of fluid - so the thin the output. So I find.

 

[PsychoJane]

I have been told I had to drink a lot too, a minimum of 2L a day especially at the beginning. It is annoying though, because for the first fews months it is most likely gonna be watery. The ileum gains back and increase it's capacity of absorbing water within the 3-4 months following surgery so it is gonna get better. It helps so have something salty at the same time, crisp, crackers. Gatorade, powerade, bovril, etc will be absorb more easily. Gas are bad for the first few months too, it really gets better with time.