New ileostomy...

Ok. Im 24 and got a temporary ileostomy in february. Im confused as all heck on what diet i can/can't follow. Ive been told no fresh fruits/veggies, nuts, then i could eat anything as long as i chew really well...

My ostomy gets sore and i dont know why and no one seems to be able to answer me why. Im guessing its on days i eat more than usual?

Any advice and info would be greatly appreciated....

Thank you! That makes me feel better

i just had an ileostomy 3 weeks ago. i was told to avoid skins on fruits and sausages, nuts and a few other things so as not to get a blockage.
other than that eat whatever.

i am extra careful with things that might give me a blockage as i was told its pretty painful and im not ready for that. im still in pain from the major surgery.

I was told to avoid mushrooms nuts and sweetcorn because they would cause a blockage, but thank god i have not had any probs so far, i think that you need to try things to see what affects you and what doesnt I have my ileostomy nearly six years permanent for the last four.

I had my surgery in Nov/11 and I now eat pretty much everything, including salads and fresh veggies and fruit. I just make sure to chew, and drink a lot if I am concerned. I even had almonds the other day, but chewed them down to a fine mush.

For the first 6 - 8 weeks, avoid the fresh fruit/veggies etc, and after that just be smart about introducing new foods. Try only a little bit of a new food at a time, and see how it goes.

Good luck!

It's okay, most blockages are caused by scar tissue, so you shouldn't have to worry too much about what to eat. Hard-to-digest foods will come out just the way they went in. That's normal, you'll get used to it. Once you're through the healing/post-op inflammation process (6-8 weeks) you should be able to eat whatever you want without any problems. :)

Cece

The first 3 months after surgery are rough, and since your ostomy is temporary, you don't have to get used to it. Just try to hang in there. I promise, it does get better... (((big hug)))

andi, i had a temporary for 6 months and just had takedown yesterday.. i completely feel you on what you talk about....i never got used to it really....it bothered me....jsut rmember it is temporary and that you can hold on to that sentiment.....get excited about being back to your new normal.....and honestly, i will tell you, you might even get nervous right before you lose the bag, because i found myself three nights ago thinking "i dont know if i want to get rid of it. its ugly and a pain sometimes, but im so used to it now, adn i know my limits...." etc.....everything is a process...

as far as foods, i was extremely nervous about eating foods that could cause blockages, so i always avoided what i researched to be considered naughty foods like : corn, chinese vegetables, stringy vegetables, pretty much any raw vegetables and fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, things with skins, processed meats with casing, shrimp, dense steak...........all of that i was very conscious about at first....as things progressed i got brave and did steaks and shrimp, and cooked vegetables, and corn PRODUCTS but not corn....the rest i still stayed away from...

good luck to you, and if you have any questions please ask.

Lots and lots of water, and other beverages. I use miralax every couple of days if it gets thicker and it thins it out pretty well. (its not a laxative but a fiber supplement). Thats what has worked for me.

I dont think im going to be afraid pf not having a bag, i asked if i'd have to be 'potty trained' again afterwards and they said no. It's going to be a disturbing feeling to be normal again too. And the best at the same time. I just hope and pray that i go through that surgery with no complications.

I think my ostomy site gets sore when it works a lot and when the bag hangs amd pulls when its getting full. My skin is very sensitive to adhesive so it doesnt help either. I was thinking of having my home care nurse order pediatric sized bags because im small, i could hide them easier, and they might not pull as much...??

I used the pedi bags for awhile too and just know that you have to empty more often b/c they are so much smaller - that is why I quit using them for "regular" wear. I switched to a nifty one piece coloplast that is just as small in my mind.

Ive never heard of the belts. What are they like and where do you get them? And about how much do they cost?...

I make sure i try and drink a lot, esp when i use the miralax. Ive been dehydrated many times with the crohns flare (before i found my GI doc). Its awful and i know when i start feeling dry i drink more now...well try to. Ive avoided that problem sp far with the ileostomy. Knock on wood.

I hate the constant feeling of poo coming out. I can't wait to control that again and not have to play around with it anymore...

I have a follow up with my surgeon Tuesday and km hoping we can start looking at a definite time for this surgery...

Thank you everyone i really appreciate your responses!