First thing’s first – what is a stoma?
A stoma refers to a surgically created opening of the intestine that is brought onto the skin for the purpose of emptying stools.
You may require a stoma if you have problems with your bowels. That require surgery, such as colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) where surgery is required in which part of the intestines have to be removed. The stoma is used to allow the remaining intestines to heal while allowing patients to continue eating after surgery.
During a stoma procedure, your doctor will create the stoma at an appropriate site of the intestine, before bringing it out and attaching it to the belly surface. Depending on the cause, this may not either be permanent or a temporary procedure that can later be reversed. This may involve the small intestine (ileostomy or jejunostomy) or large intestine (colostomy).
The stoma itself is usually small and pinkish-red, and not painful to touch. After the surgery, it will be covered by a discreet pouch that can collect your waste for easy disposal.
Your doctor and nurses will provide support, guidance and reassurance when it comes to living with and looking after your stoma.
What will my diet be after a stoma surgery?
In the first couple of weeks. After getting your stoma. Your body will still be in healing mode.
After the operation, you will begin with a liquid diet followed by a soft and low-fibre diet. Your doctor or dietitian will advise accordingly on when to start introducing solid food.
A high-fibre diet is not suitable after surgery, and fibre like all food groups should always be taken in moderation. Some people find that eating foods high in insoluble fibre (like wholegrain cereals, bran and certain vegetables) can be a bit painful during this time, as they make waste bulkier and therefore harder to pass. Foods containing soluble fibre (like banana and oats) should be easier to digest and may be a good option; however too much of these can also produce lots of gas from the stoma and bloating, which can be awkward and uncomfortable.
One should take note that waste from a small intestine stoma tends to be more watery while those from the large intestine tends to be more solid/formed. Unless your doctor has told you otherwise, you should be able to resume your normal diet between 4 – 6 weeks after the procedure. If you find your waste is too watery or too hard, see whether eating any of the following helps:
Too watery
- White rice
- Plain noodles/pasta
- Potatoes without skin
- Smooth peanut butter
- Apple sauce
Too hard
- Warm/hot drinks
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Fruit juice
Remember to always eat foods in moderation as too much of any of the above foods is not healthy. You should also consult your doctor if you have เล่นเกมคาสิโน UFABET ทันสมัย ฝากถอนง่าย ongoing concerns about the consistency of your stoma waste, as medications may need to be started to help you cope. Consult your dietitian to customise an eating plan for you.